Golden Plains Shire Council has welcomed the announcement that a massive wind farm in Rokewood is a step closer to construction.
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After several legal challenges from landholders in the area, the Golden Plains Wind Farm received approval for its planning permit amendment from the state government late last week.
The massive project will be one of the largest renewable energy generators in Australia, with 215 turbines to be installed across 167 square kilometres around the township of Rokewood.
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Each turbine will be up to 230 metres at its tallest, with the diameter of the spinning blades the size of the MCG.
According to WestWind, when complete the project will have a capacity of 800 to 1000 megawatts, and is estimated to generate about 3500 gigawatt hours per year.
The amended permit was to change the layout of the turbines in response to concerns about brolga populations in the area - there are still several more approvals to be gained before construction begins, but proponent WestWind is aiming for shovels in the ground by mid-next year.
Rokewood resident and Golden Plains Shire deputy mayor Helena Kirby said despite some community concern, places like the kindergarten, primary school, and RSL were beginning to see funding flood in from WestWind's community benefit fund.
"There's a 10 kilometre radius around Rokewood for the community benefits, and that's a bonus," she said.
"The residents are still waiting for confirmation regarding some of the ones close to the wind farm haven't received anything in writing in regard to payments, I know that's an issue - we want to make sure they're following up on their promises.
"I don't think people will realise (how big they are) until they see them being built - I went past Berrybank (Wind Farm) the other day, and Mount Mercer, and you think they're bigger from a distance but up close they're not as big as you think.
"These ones in Rokewood are going to be considerably bigger, so it will be interesting to see how much more of an impact they have on the environment and the visual experience of seeing them in their backyards, or immediate vicinity."
A nearby quarry received council approval recently, which Cr Kirby said will help ease the pressure on local roads.
Wind farm construction involves thousands of trucks carrying concrete, rock, and the components themselves to often-remote sites, and councils and residents have previously called out companies for failing to act quickly to rehabilitate the roads after construction has finished.
The quarry, near Rokewood on private land, will be a "bonus", not just for the landholder, but the community, council, and VicRoads, Cr Kirby said.
In a statement, Golden Plains Shire Council mayor Gavin Gamble said the project is significant for the whole state, estimating about 768 jobs will be created during construction and 40 ongoing jobs.
"Council is a keen supporter of renewable energy and following our recent declaration of a Climate Emergency, we are preparing a Climate Emergency Plan for our shire. The Golden Plains Wind Farm will generate sustainable green electricity for more than 765,000 homes and save up to 4.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually," he said.
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"The proponents of the wind farm have engaged with the Rokewood community throughout the development of this project including the protection of farmland and sustainable farming, as well as improvements to local roads.
"Wind farms contribute to local government in lieu of rates and when fully realised the Golden Plains Wind Farm will contribute more than $1 million annually to council, which will benefit all communities and people in our shire."
WestWind was contacted for comment but did not respond before deadline.
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