Three NSW wind farms clear final hurdle despite environmental concerns

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has given the green light to three contentious wind farms, including one of the country’s most hotly contested projects south of Tamworth.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has approved more wind farms approved in NSW

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Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has given the green light to three controversial NSW wind farms, including one of the country’s most hotly contested projects south of Tamworth.

The 372 megawatt Hills of Gold wind farm on a ridge line near the historic town of Nundle in the New England region has gained final environmental approval after a heated seven-year battle that divided the town.

Opponents on Thursday criticised the decision and vowed to continue fighting the 62-turbine project through the NSW Land and Environment Court.

The Spicers Creek wind farm north-west of Gulgong in the central-west also got the nod, along with amendments to the 1332MW Liverpool Range wind farm near Coolah which will consist of 185 turbines up to 215 metres in height.

Both projects are in the ­declared Central-West Orana ­renewable energy zone.

Ms Plibersek said the federal government had now approved 77 renewable energy projects, equivalent to powering more than 10 million homes.

“We know projects like this are vital to putting downward pressure on price and cleaner energy, but they are also great for regional economies too,” the ­Environment Minister said.

“These three projects will ­create 1340 jobs in construction and 80 ongoing jobs.’’

However, councils and residents in the central-west have raised concerns over infrastructure and housing pressures caused by a surge in workers to a region that is seeing a large ­number of wind and solar farm proposals and associated transmission and battery projects.

Many towns have a shortage of skilled workers and low rental housing stocks, leading to renewables developers planning large temporary accommodation camps for thousands of imported workers.

Warrumbungle Shire Council objected to the Spicers Creek and Liverpool Range wind farms due to concerns about roads and ­traffic and the cumulative ­impacts of renewable projects in the area.

“This position is held due to the extraordinary and exceptional circumstances being ­experienced by the region and the vastly changed environment that the region is experiencing now as a declared renewable energy zone,” the council said in a ­submission to the state Labor government.

There are also concerns about the cumulative impacts on tourism and biodiversity.

Ms Plibersek said the new approvals came with strict conditions to protect the environment, however the projects will involve clearing of large swathes of native habitat that supports vulnerable and endangered bird and bat species and koalas.

Tilt Renewables’ Liverpool Range wind farm, located near Coolah Tops National Park, has been approved to clear up to 720ha of koala foraging habitat and up to 603ha of critically ­endangered regent honeyeater habitat, along with areas used by greater gliders, swift parrots, two types of bats, spotted-tailed quolls and breeding areas for southeastern glossy black ­cockatoos.

During the assessment process bureaucrats from the state government’s Biodiversity, Conservation and Science Directorate raised concerns about the cumulative impact of potentially 13 wind farms comprising 1200 turbines within a 200 km radius of Liverpool Range.

“Serious consideration needs to be given to the overall cumulative impact on species that are regularly impacted by blade strike,’’ the department said.

In a statement released after Ms Plibersek’s decision, Tilt ­Renewables said it had worked with landholders and communities over a number of years to refine the project while taking advantage of improvements in larger turbine technology.

“With a construction cost of over $2 billion there will be great opportunities for businesses from the local area to get involved,’’ Tilt Renewables said.

Squadron Energy’s Spicers Creek wind farm, which also ­attracted many community objections, will consist of 117 turbines and will involve the clearing of smaller parcels of native woodlands and habitat, home to threatened and endangered birds, including up to 91ha of regent honeyeater habitat.

Squadron Energy yesterday welcomed the Albanese government’s approval, saying the project would create more than 330 jobs and inject $46.9m into the regional economy.

Engie’s Hills of Gold project, involving up to 62 turbines to be built on land largely used for grazing, has been approved to clear 44ha of koala habitat and 33ha of greater glider habitat.

In a statement on Thursday Engie said the project was well situated and had been optimised through years of “best-practice community engagement”.

The federal approval came despite consistent objections from the Tamworth Regional Council.