Victorian Government approves OSMI Australia’s $500m Delburn Wind Farm plan

The first wind farm to be constructed on a Victorian timber plantation has been given the green light, with one major caveat.

In a Victorian first, wind turbines are to be built on a tree farm property in Gippsland’s Strzelecki Ranges with the construction of the Delburn Wind Farm given state government approval.

OSMI Australia’s Delburn Wind Farm project, expected to cost $400m-500m, has been given approval by Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne, paving the way for 33 wind turbines, each 250m tall, to be built in Gippsland.

One major element of the project will not be constructed, with the Battery Energy Storage System not approved due to fire risk concerns.

“The panel has not supported approval of the BESS at this stage. It is concerned there are issues with detailed design and location and findings to be incorporated from the investigation into the Victorian Big Battery fire (Moorabool),” the report said.

“It considers such a proposal in principle may well be desirable, but it should be considered in a future planning process.”

The proposal was subject to a 12-day public hearing in October and November last year, which received 436 supporting submissions, 283 opposed and three neutral.

OSMI Australia’s executive director development Peter Marriott said the company was satisfied to receive the tick of approval for the construction of the turbines.

“Obviously we are pleased to receive these approvals, however as there is a lot of detail for us to work through in the panel report and the approval documents,” he said.

An OSMI rendering of the potential Delburn Wind Farm.

“We will need to take some time to review these materials before commenting on it further.”

The turbines will be built on freehold land owned by Hancock Victorian Plantations Pty Ltd, with the approved project spanning 4778ha across the Latrobe, Baw Baw and South Gippsland local government areas.

The site is bounded by Coalville to the north, Thorpdale to the west, Darlimurla to the south, and Boolarra and Yinnar to the east.

An OSMI Australia spokeswoman said the project was expected to power 130,000 homes and generate 640,000mW of energy.

The company also estimated 186 new full-time equivalent jobs would be created during construction, with 24 ongoing jobs created during operation.

OSMI Australia and the Delburn Wind Farm project is backed by Cubico Sustainable Investments, a subsidiary of PSP Investments, one of Australia’s largest farm asset owners and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Canada’s largest single-profession pension plan.

The planning permit was issued on March 27, with the Minister simultaneously approving the release of the 224-page Planning Panel Report.

Earlier this year, landholders and the Victorian Opposition called on wind farm operators to invest in rehabilitation bonds to cover the multimillion-dollar cost of dismantling 230m-tall turbines at the end of their lifespan.