Epuron referred the prospective Burrendong Wind Farm south-east of Wellington in NSW to the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) for review under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and it has been determined a ‘controlled action’.

The determination means that the project will require controlling provisions for identified listed species and assessment and approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed. It will be assessed under DAWE’s bilateral assessment agreement with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

Of particular importance to DAWE is minimising impacts to endangered flora species and habitat for koalas and listed avifauna.

Andrew Wilson, Epuron’s General Manager Development for New South Wales welcomed the decision and additional guidance from the Department on environmental assessment requirements.

“We share the view that protecting key species and ecological communities is a priority and welcome guidance on this from the Commonwealth.

"The goals of building Australia’s renewable energy capacity through new projects and preserving surrounding biodiversity and wildlife are both critically important. They are compatible goals, it just requires careful planning and the right approach.”

The project’s EPBC Act referral decision (reference number 2021/8916) is available on the EPBC Act - Public notices portal.