Epuron has taken the first key step in the planning and assessment process for the proposed Guildford Wind Farm project, referring the proposal to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for review under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The referral submission includes results from preliminary flora and fauna surveys and an initial indicative site layout.

Based on preliminary investigations, Epuron considers it may be appropriate for the project to be deemed a ‘controlled action’ under the EPBC Act, which will entail the provision of additional guidance from the Department on environmental assessment requirements.

The Department will determine whether the proposal should be deemed a controlled action after the review of the submission and public consultation.

In any event, up to two years of further investigations will be undertaken on the project site to understand the potential for impact to local species and determine mitigation measures.

The Guildford Wind Farm project’s EPBC Act referral (reference number 2020/8797) is now open for public comment until 14 October 2020 on the EPBC Act - Public notices portal.