Woolbrook Windfarm
Post Date: 16 July 2013
THE LOCATION
The proposed Woolbrook Wind Farm (the Project) is located approximately 38km north east of Tamworth and 7km south of the village of Woolbrook within the New England Tablelands region of NSW. The project is located partly within Walcha and partly within Tamworth Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The New England Tablelands region is a recognised region for wind farm developments for its favourable wind speeds and cleared agricultural setting. Results from ongoing wind monitoring assessments and proximity of the Project to existing transmission line networks has confirmed the overall viability of the proposed wind farm site.
THE PROJECT
The Project would involve the construction, operation and maintenance of up to 30 wind turbines and associated infrastructure across three privately owned rural properties. Currently, three turbine layout options are being considered which are based on differing turbine types.
The Project team is currently assessing potential transmission line corridors to connect the Project to an existing electrical network. The preferred corridor is approximately 60km in length and generally follows an existing transmission line.
A transmission line route will be finalised upon completion of further assessments undertaken within each corridor and pending lease agreements with involved landowners.
A summary of key Project components is outlined below:
• construction of up to 30 wind turbines;
• Upgrade to approximately 60km of existing 11kV and 66kV transmission line to 132kV;
• construction of a 22kV/132kV substation onsite;
• electrical connections between wind turbines and the onsite substation via underground/overhead 33kV cable network;
• construction of onsite control buildings and equipment storage facilities;
• temporary concrete batching facilities to provide supply concrete for turbine footings and substation construction works;
• construction of access tracks for each turbine and other onsite structures and upgrades to existing roads/tracks as required;
• construction of monitoring masts for wind speed verification and monitoring.
PLANNING AND APPROVAL PROCESS
The estimated construction costs for the total project is approximately $100 million (excluding GST). The estimated construction costs for the transmission line is approximately $21.4 million.
As a result of the Project exceeding $30 million, the Project is categorized as State Significant Development (SSD) under the NSW Planning System and will require the preparation of a detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for consideration by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (the Department).
Initial community and stakeholder consultation has been undertaken with the next stage in the Project being a request for Director General Requirements (DGRs) to be lodged with the Department. The DGRs will inform and provide the assessment criteria for the Project.
TIMEFRAME
A preliminary timeline for the approvals process for the Project is outlined below.
| Project Stage | Estimated Completion Date |
| Submission of Preliminary Environmental Assessment - Request for Director General Requirements from NSW Planning | End July 2013 |
| Preparation and submission of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and development application (DA) | September 2014 |
| Exhibition of EIS and DA for community and stakeholder comment | December 2014 |
| Review and approval from Department of Planning and Infrastructure | Early 2015 |
| Construction | Completion 12 months from approval (late 2015) |
| Operation | 2016 |
COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDERS
Newtricity are committed to an extensive community and stakeholder consultation programme, with ongoing engagement with the community throughout the approvals process.
There will be a number of opportunities for the community and stakeholders to ask questions, provide feedback and input on the Project. These opportunities will include such things as:-
• Community Information Drop-In Sessions;
• Updates on a Web page;
• Establishment of a Community Consultative Committee;
• Ongoing engagement with Tamworth and Walcha Councils, host landowners and nearby neighbours.
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
Newtricity welcomes your feedback to voice any concerns you may have regarding the Project. We strongly encourage you to attend the first community information day and subsequent sessions, which will be announced on this website.
INFORMATION FLYERS
Information flyers will be added as the project progresses:-
• May 2013: click Here.
Community consultation:-
• 2, 7 and 14 Nov 2013: click Here.
MEDIA
ABC New England North West radio interview.
• 29 Oct 2013: click Here.
Post Date: 12 December 2014
The development assessment work is presently on-hold until the uncertainty regarding the Commonwealth's Renewable Energy Target is resolved.
A Newtricity Project
