The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) has issued Planning Secretary’s environmental assessment requirements (SEARs) for the proposed Doughboy Wind Farm, located approximately 40km east of Armidale.

Issued for all proposed wind farm projects, which are considered to be State significant development, SEARs outline the general and technical assessment requirements for the project’s environmental impact statement (EIS).

Key matters identified for assessment by the SEARs include landscape and visual impact, noise, biodiversity, traffic and transport, hazards and risks, heritage, waste, and social and economic impacts.

The Doughboy Wind Farm site is located within the New England Renewable Energy Zone, one of a few key areas identified by the NSW Government as optimal for renewable energy projects.

Epuron has appointed NGH Environmental, a leading national environmental consultancy with offices in regional NSW, to undertake the independent studies for the project’s EIS. Onsite surveys and assessments will be carried out over the next six months.

While the studies for the environmental impact statement are underway, the local community and other key stakeholders will be consulted for their input on the project. This will include meetings, public information sessions and the establishment of a Community Consultative Committee once a Committee Chair has been appointed by the DPIE.

Project manager Grant Alderson said he is looking forward to getting work for the formal impact assessment underway, and working closely with the community in the area to maximise benefits of the project: “We are looking forward to starting work on the practical onsite studies for the project’s assessment and further building our relationship with the local community to identify local concerns and priorities”.

The planning status of the project and associated documents including SEARs are available on the NSW Planning Portal for Major Projects. Search ‘Doughboy Wind Farm’ at www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects