After decades of delays the mammoth Stockyard Hill Wind Farm is finally set to go ahead after the state government gave its final green light on Wednesday.
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The final plans for the 149-turbine farm in the Pyrenees Shire were officially endorsed by the state earlier today, bringing to an end more than a decade of planning and speculation.
The farm first gained a planning permit all the way back in 2010, but the project has faced a series of delays in subsequent years as developers have sought amendments to the plans.
Goldwind Australia’s managing director Mr John Titchen said the final seal of approval meant construction could now start.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Victorian Government, local councils, the local community and other key partners to construct Australia’s largest wind farm.” Mr Titchen said.
When completed the energy supply source will generate 530 megawatts of power, enough to supply 391,000 Victorian households.
The development is expected to generate about 300 jobs during the construction process, which Goldwind hopes will conclude in late 2019.
The new addition comes as the nearby Moorabool Shire prepares for its own influx of wind turbines, with construction on the Moorabool and Lal Lal farms to begin in coming months.
While Stockyard Hill will be the largest farm of its kind in the country, it could soon be usurped by the nearby Golden Plains Wind Farm in Rokewood, which is yet to receive a planning permit.
If built the Rokewood facility would connect up to 228 turbines to Victoria’s energy grid.
