Highlands wind farm proposed

Hobart Mercury
Friday 17/7/2009 Page: 15

A US power company plans to build Tasmania's biggest wind farm at Lake Echo in the Central Highlands. The Central Highlands Council expects to receive N.P. Power's development application to build a 75-turbine windfarm in the next week. If approved, the proposed Cattle Hill Wind Farm would produce up to 225 MWs of electricity by 2012.

The power generated would feed into Hydro Tasmania's Waddamana substation. The Waddamana to Bridgewater transmission line is due to be upgraded in 2012 to cope with any extra load. The Woolnorth Windfarm, sited on the state's North-West tip, now generates 140MW.

Central Highlands Mayor Deirdre Flint said the council had been in discussions with the company and was now waiting to receive an official development application. "I expect that will be received by our next council meeting on July 22." Cr Flint said yesterday. The windfarm would need council, state and federal government approval. The presence of wedge-tailed and white bellied sea eagles could complicate the bureaucratic process.

The company said a survey of eagle nest sites had revealed two nests within the proposed windfarm area and others in the surrounding region. "A comprehensive management plan will be developed and proposed to mitigate any potential impacts on local eagle populations," the company's Notice of Intent said. N.P. Power said the Department of Primary Industries and Water, in conjunction with the land owners, the Downie family, had also identified a number of threatened flora species on the site.

State Reserve status will now cover the area concerned. The 3500ha site is now used mostly for grazing. "Assuming a six-month assessment period before receiving approval from state, federal and local council, site preparation for turbine delivery and transmission infrastructure could commence in the fourth quarter of 2010," the company said. Commissioning of the windfarm is pencilled in for the end of June 2012.