Community response prompts change to large-scale Tall Tree Golden Plains wind farm

Plans for a large-scale wind farm northwest of Geelong have changed, with new designs showing turbines to be 20m shorter.

Plans for a wind farm project proposed in the Golden Plains have changed with less turbines to be built. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Community feedback has prompted changes to a wind farm proposed for northwest of Geelong that would be capable of powering 265,000 homes.

ACCIONA Energia has released a number of design changes to the proposed Tall Tree wind farm project.

Originally the Spanish company hoped to build 60 wind turbines at 271m tall in the Golden Plains Shire.

The new plan will reduce the height of all turbines on the project by 20m and remove six turbines from the southeast corner of the project area.

ACCIONA Energia spokesman William Churchill said since unveiling the project to the wider public in early March, the company had ongoing discussions with the community, neighbours and various interest groups.

“We do recognise the concerns from some community members about turbine locations between Lethbridge and Teesdale and we’ve looked at the project and how we can accommodate this feedback,” he said.

“In response to these concerns and following discussions with the affected landowner we agreed this is the best pathway forward.”

In April, about 350 residents gathered at Lethbridge Airport to protest the project, saying the turbines would be too close to homes.

Mr Churchill said the company believed the modifications accommodated the vast majority of

concerns within the community while ensuring the project could coexist with existing land uses.

“These changes have threaded the needle to balance community interests while still maintaining a viable project that will offer career opportunities and investment into regional economies and communities,” he said.

ACCIONA Energia are still in the early engagement phase of the project’s development ahead of a formal Development Application and Referral expected later this year.

Mr Churchill said engaging with the community was fundamental to the projects and listening to all voices was important.

“We’ve made the right call sharing the project with the wider community ahead of any formal development and consultation process and it’s given us the flexibility to respond to concerns prior to any applications being made,” he said.

A detailed community benefits plan is expected to be developed in collaboration with the community as part of the formal consultation process.

If the project is given the green light, construction is expected to start in mid-2026.

ACCIONA Energia also has a number of other wind farms in Victoria, including at Waubra and Mount Gellibrand.

Originally published as Community response prompts change to large-scale Tall Tree Golden Plains wind farm