In May 2022 Ark Energy completed a friendly acquisition of Epuron, the former proponent for the Doughboy Wind Farm. In October 2022 the Epuron name was retired and Doughboy Wind Farm is now part of Ark Energy’s project portfolio.

More preliminary assessment work has been undertaken for the project’s development application, including for visual impacts, noise and biodiversity. Following this, the original design and project area boundary have changed.

The project area is now located further north and borders Guyra Road near Wongwibinda. The design involves a layout of 55 wind turbines and associated infrastructure, and it is proposed the project would connect to the existing 330 kV transmission line that traverses the southern end of the site.

Ark Energy is preparing to commence the assessment process for the revised proposal by lodging a revised Scoping Report with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE).

Based on the updated Scoping Report the DPE will issue new Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs), outlining the matters to be addressed in the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). When issued the updated SEARs will be available online from the NSW Government’s Major Projects Planning Portal.

In 2021 the original proposal was also referred to the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for review under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), which protects Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).

DCCEEW determined the proposal to be a controlled action, which means that it will also require assessment and approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed. This will be done by the DPE under the bilateral agreement between the NSW and Commonwealth Governments. The project’s EPBC referral documentation is available from the EPBC Act Public Portal (Ref 2021/8905).

Ark Energy is interested in hearing from owners and residents of properties near the project area about local landscape values. If you think your property may be within 10 km of the project boundary and would be happy to complete a Landscape Values Survey please email the project team on info@doughboywindfarm.com.au. For a current site layout map please download the full August 2023 update. Please note completed surveys are due by 15 September 2023.