Acciona Energia’s plans for a Golden Plains wind farm has locals seeking answers

Early stage plans for another massive wind farm within the Golden Plains Shire and just 35km from Geelong has a number of locals up in arms.

Andrew McKendry and Garry Baum (front) are among those who are worried about plans for a massive wind farm between Teesdale and Lethbridge. Picture: Mark Wilson.

The owner of Lethbridge Airport fears his business will go bust if a new large-scale wind farm northwest of Geelong is allowed to go ahead.

Garry Baum is one of a number of locals concerned about Acciona Energia’s plans for a 360MW wind farm between Teesdale and Lethbridge that the company believes will generate enough energy to power approximately 265,000 homes.

Having operated the Midland Highway business for more than three decades, Mr Baum said he had worked hard to build its operations, which include a range of training flights that use the area where the wind farm is planned to go.

“If it (wind farm) goes ahead, it will enormously impact our training operations,” he said.

“We conduct training at 1000 feet and with the size of the turbines, it will be just a terrible outcome for us.

“Imagine an inexperienced pilot trying to navigate massive turbines … they’ll panic in between them.

“I’m not against wind farms, but this is just not the right area for one.”

Mr Baum said he had employed someone specifically to oversee the matter.

Acciona, a Spanish company that is behind five other Victorian wind farms, held three community information sessions last week.

Attendees were told of the benefits the project would bring to the region, including the distribution of community grants.

Andrea McKendry attended the Lethbridge session and remains unimpressed.

She opposes the project primarily because of the impact it would have on the region’s wildlife, including a number of critically endangered species.

“The information day was conflicting and vague … I’m still waiting for answers to my questions,” Ms McKendry said.

The Acciona project is unrelated to TagEnergy’s $2bn, 765MW Golden Plains wind farm in Rokewood that recently saw the installation of the first of its 122 turbines.

Acciona’s Caroline Bommes said the company had been engaging with Lethbridge Airport since 2022.

“Based on our preliminary assessments, the wind farm and the airfield can coexist and but we are in discussions with their management to understand their current use of the airport and any future plans they may have,” she said.

Community concerns: early opposition to a large-scale wind farm near Teesdale and Lethbridge is ramping up. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Ms Bommes said community feedback had been expectedly mixed given the project’s fledgling state.

She said residents frequently raised concerns about wildlife impacts.

“Our approach to projects is to engage early so there is wide awareness among residents that a project is being developed, but it also means that many details aren’t yet known,” she said.

“Shortly we will be launching interactive maps online where the community can mark wildlife locations to help as part of our assessments.

“When we have completed this work we’ll be able to talk the community through what’s in the area and how we propose to minimise the project’s impact on the area.

“We are listening to community feedback and will review and iterate our designs to come up with best possible project for all involved.”

Acciona has already locked in landowners who would have the 60 wind turbines on their properties.

Originally published as Acciona Energia’s plans for a Golden Plains wind farm has locals seeking answers