Construction on more than 160 wind turbines east of Ballarat is expected to begin by the end of the month as the first of a wave of new energy begins to filter into the network.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Construction on the Lal Lal Wind Farm’s 60 turbines is anticipated to begin by the end of May, with the goal of completion by September 2019.
Lal Lal Wind Farm is also engaging in landscaping works for residents within four kilometres of turbines to improve the amenity of the area if the infrastructure is visible. Wind farm community engagement officer Tracey Ward said “there is no cost to the home owners and Lal Lal Wind Farms will arrange to carry out the landscaping works”.
“We set up an appointment with a landscape architect to assess where and if people might view turbines from their property,” the statement read.
The development comes after the smaller Yaloak South Wind Farm was completed earlier this year. The farm, which boasts 14 turbines, was completed in March and is now available for electricity generation.
We set up an appointment with a landscape architect to assess where and if people might view turbines from their property.
- Tracey Ward - Lal Lal Wind Farm community engagement officer
While minor civil and remediation works are still taking place, the site is expected to be announced as formally complete in coming weeks.
Meanwhile works at the larger Moorabool Wind Farm are also expected to begin imminently, adding a further 107 turbines to western Victoria. Like Lal Lal, residents within four kilometres of the turbines will have the chance to apply for landscaping works if they are in view of the towers.
Further west, works at the giant Stockyard Hill farm are expected to kick off later in the year on a project which will be the largest in the country.
The 149-turbine, 530-megawatt farm will generate enough energy to power 391,000 Victorian homes when up and running by late-2019. Construction is anticipated to begin in coming months.
To coincide with the influx of new turbine projects, the Moorabool Shire will employ a new council officer to help engage with communities. Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell said the employee’s role would focus on addressing concerns and complaints.