St Patricks Plains Wind Farm Update - August 2023
Development Application lodged
The Development Application (DA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for St Patricks Plains Wind Farm have been lodged with Central Highlands Council.
When advertised by Council the project documents will go on public exhibition for a period of six weeks. When Ark Energy is advised of the dates for the exhibition period they will be posted on the project website and a project update with the details will be sent to everyone who is registered to receive updates.
The public exhibition period will provide the opportunity for neighbours, community members and other stakeholders to review the full details of the project.
The planning report addressing planning matters and the EIS addressing Environment Protection Authority Tasmania (EPA) matters will be available to read on the EPA website, the Central Highlands Council website and the project website. A printed version of the documents will be available to read at the Council offices in Bothwell and at the St Patricks Plains Wind Farm information centre in Bothwell.
The project information centre, currently open on Fridays, will also be open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm during the exhibition. Shop opening times will be posted on the website and in the next newsletter. An Ark Energy project summary will also be available on the project website.
Environmental Impact Statement
The EIS responds to the Project Specific Guidelines issued for the St Patricks Plains Wind Farm by the EPA. The EIS describes the project, its potential for impacts and outlines how these have been avoided, minimised and mitigated, and how residual impacts would be managed. It provides technical and specialist reports on avifauna, flora and terrestrial fauna, noise, socio-economic impacts, traffic, visual impacts, shadow flicker, and hydrogeology.
Wind resource confirmed
Along with the monitoring masts, SODARs (see image below) have been located across the site to monitor the wind resource. These devices have confirmed a strong and consistent wind resource. In combination with excellent grid connection, private freehold land, and only a small number of neighbouring properties, this makes the location ideal for a wind farm.
SODARs have confirmed the excellent wind resource
Have your say
When the project documents are on exhibition members of the public will have the opportunity to make a submission about any concerns or in support of the project. Please check the website during exhibition for details on how to make a submission.