policy and planning guidelines...4.3 meeting application requirements 20 4.3.1 turbines within one...

JANUARY 2016

Policy and PlanningGuidelines for development of Wind enerGy Facilities in Victoria

Policy and planning guidelines for development of wind energy facilities in Victoria

Contents

INTRODUCTION 4

Section 1: WIND ENERGY FACILITIES 5

1.1 What is a wind energy facility? 51.2 Anemometersandelectrictygridconnections 5

1.2.1 Anemometer 51.2.2 Electricitygridconnections 5

1.3 Characteristicsofawindenergyfacility 6

Section 2: WIND ENERGY IN VICTORIA 7

2.1 Victorian wind resources 72.2 IdentifyingsuitablelocationsforwindenergydevelopmentinVictoria 8

2.2.1Environmentalvalues 82.2.2 Significantlandscapevalues 92.2.3Aboriginalculturalheritagevalues 102.2.4ExclusionofwindenergyfacilitiesinNationalParks,StateParksand

CoastalParksandotherhighqualityenvironmentalandlandscapelocationsinthestate 10

2.2.5Exclusionofwindenergyfacilitiesinlocationsthatarelikelytoberequiredforfuturepopulationgrowth 11

2.2.6 Turbinesprohibitedwithinonekilometreofanexistingdwelling 12

Section 3: PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR WIND ENERGY FACILITY PROPOSALS 13

3.1 Decision-makingframeworkforaplanningpermitapplication 133.2 Whoistheresponsibleauthority? 133.3 Otherstatutoryapprovals 13

3.3.1 Stateenvironmentalassessment 143.3.2 Commonwealthenvironmentalassessment 14

Section 4: PLANNING PERMIT APPLICATIONS – INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS 16

4.1 Theplanningpermitapplicationprocess 164.1.1 Pre-applicationconsultationwithcommunityandstakeholders 164.1.2 Lodgementandprocessingofplanningpermitapplications 174.1.3 Decisionoptions 19

4.2 Preparingaplanningpermitapplication 194.2.1 Pre-applicationdiscussions 194.2.2 Seekexpertadvice 204.2.3 Preparethesiteanalysis 20

4.3 Meetingapplicationrequirements 204.3.1 Turbineswithinonekilometreofadwelling 204.3.2 Site and context analysis 224.3.3 Designresponse 23

2

Policy and planning guidelines for development of wind energy facilities in Victoria3

4.3.4 Floraandfaunaimpactsassessment 254.3.5 EnvironmentalManagementPlan 264.3.6 Aircraftsafetyissues 27

Section 5: INFORMATION FOR A RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY ASSESSING A WIND ENERGY FACILITY 28

5.1 Assessingwindenergyfacilityproposals–mattersforconsideration 285.1.1 Contributiontogovernmentpolicyobjectives 285.1.2Amenityofthesurroundingarea 295.1.3 Landscapeandvisualamenity 315.1.4 Flora and fauna 335.1.5 Aircraftsafety 345.1.6 Constructionimpactsanddecommissioning 35

Section 6: PLANNING PERMIT ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 36

6.1 Administrationofplanningpermitapplications 366.2 Planningpermitconditions 366.3 Enforcementofplanningschemeandplanningpermits 37

GLOSSARY 38

Attachment A: STATEMENT OF CONSENT 39

Attachment B: MODEL PERMIT CONDITIONS TO BE APPLIED AS APPROPRIATE 40


Victoriahasabundantwindresources,andwindenergyfacilitieshavethepotentialtoprovideforasignificantproportionofVictoria’sgrowthinelectricityconsumption.Victoria’swindresourcesarewellsuitedtosupportingalarge-scalegridofconnectedwindenergyfacilities.TheVictorianGovernmentsupportsthedevelopmentoftherenewableenergysectorasanimportantcontributortothesustainabledeliveryofVictoria’sfutureenergyneeds.

Theseguidelinesprovideadvicetoaresponsibleauthority,proponentsandthecommunitytoprovideguidanceaboutsuitablesitestolocatewindenergyfacilitiesandtoinformplanningdecisionsaboutawindenergyfacilityproposal.

Thepurposeoftheseguidelinesistosetout:

• aframeworktoprovideaconsistentandbalancedapproachtotheassessmentofwindenergyprojectsacrossthestate

• asetofconsistentoperationalperformancestandardstoinformtheassessmentandoperationofawindenergyfacilityproject

• guidanceastohowplanningpermitapplicationrequirementsmightbemet.

Theguidelinesalsoprovideadviceaboutlocationsinthestatethatarenotappropriatetolocatewindenergyfacilitiesandprovideaframeworktoensureproposalsforwindenergyfacilitiesarethoroughlyassessed,includingwherenecessarytheneedforanEnvironmentEffectsStatement(EES).

Theseguidelinesincludeaglossarywherecertaintermsusedintheguidelines aredefined.

Introduction

4


This section defines a Victorian wind energy facility and associated infrastructure for the purposes of the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP).

1.1 What is a wind energy facility?Awindenergyfacilityhasthefollowingdefinitioninallplanningschemes(refertoClause74(Landuseterms)intheVPP):

Land used to generate electricity by wind force. It includes land use for:

a) any turbine, building, or other structure or thing used in or in connection with the generation of electricity by wind force

b) an anemometer.

It does not include turbines principally used to supply electricity for domestic or rural use of the land.

1.2 Anemometers and electricity grid connections

1.2.1 AnemometerInClause72(Generalterms)oftheVPP,ananemometerisdefinedasa‘windmeasuringdevice.Itisusedtomeasurethewindspeedanddirectionatasite.

InaccordancewithClause62oftheVPP,atemporaryanemometermaybelocatedonasiteforuptothreeyearstomonitorthesuitabilityofthewindresourceforapotentialwindenergyfacility,withoutrequiringaplanningpermit.Attheendofthethree-yearperiod,thetemporaryanemometermustberemovedoraplanningpermitissuedforitslong-termuse.

Ananemometercanalsobeassessedandapprovedaspartofawindenergyfacility.

1.2.2 Electricity grid connectionsAwindenergyfacilityrequiresatransmissionordistributionsystemofpowerlinesincludingsubstationsandconverterinstallationsandotherworkstoconnectthewindenergyfacilitytotheelectricitynetwork.Thetransmissionordistributionsystemisgenerallyoff-siteanddistanttothewindenergyfacility.Howeverproponentsareoftenseekingsiteswithcloseproximitytotheexistingdistrubitonsystem.

Theuseoflandtotransmitordistributeelectricitygeneratedbywind,whetherornotonthesamelandtitleasawindenergyfacility,isaseparatelandusetothatofawindenergyfacility.Thetransmissionordistributionsystemisdefinedaseithera‘utilityinstallation’ora‘minorutilityinstallation’inClause74(Landusterms)oftheVPP,dependingonthenatureand

Section 1

Wind energy facilities

5


capacityofthetransmissionordistributioninfrastructure.TheMinisterforPlanningistheresponsibleauthorityforplanningpermitapplicationsfortransmissioninfrastructureassociatedwithawindenergyfacility.Thisincludesanyremovalofnativevegetationassociatedwiththisinfrastructure.

Asingleplanningpermitapplicationcanincludethewindenergyfacilityandelectricitynetworkconnection.RefertoSections3.2(Whoistheresponsibleauthority?)and4.3(Meetingapplicationrequirements)oftheseguidelines.

1.3 Characteristics of a wind energy facility Windenergyfacilitiesneedtobelocatedonsitesthathavestrong,steadywindsthroughouttheyear,goodroadaccess,proximitytotheelectricitygridandthecapacityofthegrid(existingandplanned).Theycanvaryconsiderablyinsizeandscaledependingonthephysicalfeaturesoftheland,thewindresourceavailableandtheamountofenergytobegenerated.

Awindenergyfacilitytypicallyincludes:

• aseriesofwindturbines

• oneormoresubstations

• windmonitoringequipment,whichcanincludeananemometer

• accesstracks

• undergroundcablingconnectingthewindturbinestotheon-sitemeteredpointofoutputfromtheconverterstationwherethegeneratedelectricitywillenterthedistributionsystem.Thisincludesconnectionsfromthewindturbinestotheon-sitesubstations(i.e.anelectricitygeneration,transmissionanddistributionsystemwherevoltageistransformedfromhightolow,orthereverse,usingtransformers).

Alargerfacilitymayalsoinclude:

• aquarry

• atemporaryconstructioncompound

• concretebatchingplant(s)

Thewindturbinesusedincommercialwindenergyfacilitiesaregenerallylarge,slowlyrotating,three-bladedmachinesthatproducebetween1.5and3.0MWofelectricaloutput.Themostcommonwindturbinehasageneratorandrotorbladesmountedontopofasteeltower.Therotorbladesgenerallyrotateonahorizontalaxisandthetowermaybe110metresormoreinheight.

Turbineheightisdrivenbytechnologicaldevelopmentsincluding:

• internationalimprovementsintechnology,leadingtolarger,higheroutputturbineswithlongerrotorbladesthatrequiremountingontallertowers

• largerturbinediameterstoharvestlowerenergywindsfromalargerinflowareawithout increasing the cost of the rotor

• tallertowerstotakeadvantageofincreasingwindspeedatgreaterheights

• moreefficientgenerationequipmentandpowerelectronicstoaccommodatesustainedlightwindoperationatlowerpowerlevelswithoutincreasingelectrical system costs.

Theabovetrendscouldseeturbineheightincreaseinthenextfivetotenyears. Astechnologydevelops,otherformsofturbinesmayalsobeproposed.


This section describes Victoria’s wind energy resource and outlines the broad planning policy and statutory context most relevant to assessment of wind facilities in Victoria.

2.1 Victorian wind resourcesWindspeedisthesinglemostimportantfactoraffectingthefinancialviabilityofawindenergyfacility.Evensmallchangesinwindspeedduetothesitingofindividualwindturbinescansubstantiallyaffecttheirenergyoutputandthereforethefinancialviabilityofawindenergyproject.

InVictoria,theprevailingwindstendtoblowfromthesouth-westdirectionandwindspeedsvarysignificantlythroughoutthestate.Thehighestwindspeedscanbefoundalongthecoast,incentralVictoriaandinVictoria’salpineregion.

TheaveragewindspeedacrossVictoriais6.5metrespersecond.Approximatelytwo-thirdsofVictoria’slandareahasaveragewindspeedof5.8to7.2metrespersecond.

Localtopographicconditionsandtemperaturedifferencebetweenlandandseacanhaveasignificanteffectonwindspeed,withminorchangesinlocationresultinginmajorvariationsinspeed.

TheVictorian Wind Atlas(2003)providesdetailedinformationaboutthewindresourceinVictoriabasedontheresultsoftheCSIRO’smodellingandanalysisofthewindresourcesfor:

• the state as a whole

• individuallocalgovernmentareas.

TheatlasprovidesinformationaboutVictoria’saveragewindresourcesat65metresabovegroundleveltoaresolutionofthreekilometres.

Themodelledwindspeeddataispresentedwitharangeofotherinformationincluding:

• land use category

• electricitynetwork

• elevation

• vegetationcover

• reference towns.

Section 2

Wind energy in Victoria

7


TheVictorian Wind Atlas providesusefulinformationforwindfacilitydevelopers,councilsandcommunitiestoassistindeterminingappropriatelocationsforawindenergyfacilityinaparticularregion.Theinformationiscorrectto2003andforparticularprojectsitwillneedtobesupplementedwithmorerecentsitespecificdata and assessments.

2.2 Identifying suitable locations for wind energy development in Victoria Windenergyfacilitiesshouldnotleadtounacceptableimpactsoncriticalenvironmental,culturalorlandscapevalues.CriticalvaluesarethoseprotectedunderCommonwealthorVictorianlegislationandassetsofstateorregionalsignificance,mappedandrecognisedthroughplanningschemes,includingtheStatePlanningPolicyFramework(SPPF).Inordertoidentifysuitablelocationsfornewwindenergydevelopment,thefollowingmattersneedtobetakenintoconsideration.

2.2.1 Environmental values Aresponsibleauthorityandapplicantsmustconsiderarangeofrelevantenvironmentalvaluesandriskfactorswhenidentifyingsuitablesitesforwindenergyfacilitydevelopment.

ThesemattersaresetoutintheVPPandinclude(butarenotconfinedto)thefollowingconsiderations:

(a) Flora and fauna

Impactsonfloraandfaunaspeciesandhabitatfromwindenergyfacilitiesandassociatedinfrastructurecanbeminimisedthroughsitinganddesignmeasuresattheprojectplanningstage.Projectspecificimpactscanvarywidelywithlocationandspecies.Theassessmentofaproposeddevelopmentmustcarefullyexamineanyrisktofloraandfaunaspeciesandprojectdesignandadaptivemanagementmeasuresshouldbeappliedwherenecessary.

Floraandfaunacanbeprotectedatthenationalandstatelevels.

Atthenationallevel,aresponsibleauthorityandproponentneedtobeawareofthefollowing:

• TheCommonwealthEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999(EPBCAct)providesfortheprotectionofmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance,includingnationallysignificantthreatenedspeciesandwetlandsprotectedundertheConventionofWetlandsofInternationalImportance(theRamsarConvention).

• ThehabitatvaluesofwetlandsandwetlandwildlifehabitatdesignatedundertheRamsarConvention,orutilisedbydesignatedspeciesundertheJapan-AustraliaMigratoryBirdsAgreement(JAMBA)ortheChina-AustraliaMigratoryBirdsAgreement(CAMBA).


Atthestatelevel,aresponsibleauthorityandproponentmustconsider(asrelevant)thefollowing:

• TheFlora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988whichprovidesprotectionforspeciesandecosystemsthatareofstate-wideimportance.

• TheSPPFwhichsetsoutthestateplanningobjectivesforprotectionandconservationofbiodiversity-refertoClause12.01(Biodiversity)oftheVPP.

• Clause52.17(NativeVegetation)oftheVPPwhichprovidestherelevantdecisionmakingframeworkfornativevegetationprotectionandconservation.

(b) Native vegetation

Lossesofnativevegetationandhabitatcouldoccurasaresultofthesitingofturbinesandassociatedinfrastructure.IfnativevegetationisproposedtoberemovedaspartofadevelopmentproposaltheresponsibleauthoritymusthaveregardtoPermitted clearing of native vegetation – Biodiversity assessment guidelines (DepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimaryIndustry2013).

TheSPPFsetsouttheVictorianGovernment’spolicyobjectiveandprovidesrelevantstrategiesandguidelinesfornativevegetationmanagementinClause12.01-2(Biodiversity)oftheVPP.AdditionalplanningprovisionsaresetoutinClause52.16(Nativevegetationprecinctplan)andClause52.17(Nativevegetation).

OtherenvironmentalvaluesandriskfactorsmustalsobeconsideredinidentifyingsuitablesitesforwindenergyfacilitiesassetoutintheSPPF.

2.2.2 Significant landscape values TheVictorianGovernmentrecognisesthattheVictoriancommunityplacesahighvalueonlandscapeswithsignificantvisualamenityduetotheirenvironmental,socialandeconomicbenefits.Strategicplanningplaysanimportantroleinidentifyingandmanagingtheseimportantlandscapes.

Aresponsibleauthorityandproponentsmustconsider(asrelevant)Clause12.04(Significantenvironmentsandlandscapes)oftheSPPF.

Inaddition,strategiclandscapestudieshavebeencompletedforanumberofregionsacrossVictoria,includingthe Great Ocean Road Region Landscape Assessment Study(2004)andtheCoastal Spaces Landscape Assessment Study (2006).Thesestudiesidentifyvisuallysignificantlandscapesandprovideappropriaterecommendationsforimprovedplanningschemeguidance.Clause12.02(Coastalareas)oftheSPPFrequiresthesestudiestobeconsideredbyadecisionmaker.

InplanningschemesrelevantlocalstrategicstudiesmayalsobereferencedintheLocalPlanningPolicyFramework,andsignificantlandscapesmayberecognisedinoverlays,suchastheEnvironmentalSignificanceOverlay,VegetationProtectionOverlayortheSignificantLandscapeOverlay.


Tohelpguideappropriatesiteselection,designandlayoutofindividualwindturbines,considerationshouldbegiventothesignificanceofthelandscapeasdescribedinrelevantplanningschemeobjectives,includingrelevantoverlaysandstrategicstudiesreferencedintheplanningscheme.

Suggestedmitigationmeasurestominimisethepotentialimpactofwindenergyfacilitiesonalandscapesetoutinsection5.1.3oftheseguidelinesshouldalsobeconsidered.

Therearealsorequirementsrelatingtolandscapeassessmentunderthestateenvironmentalassessmentprocess.Fordetailsrefertosection3.4.1oftheseguidelines.

2.2.3 Aboriginal cultural heritage values WindenergyfacilitiesandassociatedinfrastructurehavethepotentialtoimpactonAboriginalculturalheritagevalues.ThesevaluesareprotectedunderVictoria’sAboriginal Heritage Act 2006andAboriginalHeritageRegulations2007.ItisimportantthatanyimpactsandtheviewsofrelevantAboriginalpeopleareconsideredintheearlyplanningstagesofawindenergyfacility.TheDepartmentofEnvironment,Land,WaterandPlanning’s(DELWP)practicenoteThe Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and the planning permit processprovidesguidanceandassistance.Thepracticenotecanbeobtainedatwww.delwp.vic.gov.au/planning-practice-notes.

WherewindenergyfacilitiesarelocatedonCrownLand,arangeoflegalrequirements,includingtheprovisionsoftheCommonwealthNative Title Act 1993,mayapply.

AresponsibleauthorityandproponentsmustalsoconsiderClause15.03-2(Aboriginalculturalheritage)oftheSPPF,whichsetsouttheVictorianGovernment’spolicyfortheprotectionandconservationofplacesofAboriginalculturalheritagesignificance.

2.2.4 Exclusion of wind energy facilities in National Parks, State Parks and Coastal Parks and other high quality environmental and landscape locations in the state Windenergyfacilitiesarenotpermittedinthefollowingareas,inrecognitionoftheirlandscapeandenvironmentalvalues:

• NationalParksandotherlandsubjecttotheNational Parks Act 1975

• RamsarwetlandsasdefinedundertheCommonwealthEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

• YarraValleyandDandenongranges,BellarineandMorningtonPeninsulas,theGreatOceanRoadareawithinfivekilometresofthehighwatermark,andMacedonandMcHargRanges

• theareawithinfivekilometresofthehighwatermarkoftheBassCoast,westofWilsonsPromontory.

http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/planning-practice-notes

http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/planning-practice-notes


Thespecificlocationsoftheseareaswherewindenergyfacilitiesarenotpermittedarespecifiedintherelevantplanningschemes,inClause52.32-2andthescheduleto this clause.

Exceptionstowindenergyfacilityprohibitionsinclude:

1. wheretheturbinesareprincipallyusedtosupplyelectricityfordomesticorruraluseoftheland.Theseturbinesareexcludedfromthedefinitionofawindenergy facility in the Victoria Planning Provisions.*

2. turbinesonlandinaresidentialzone,anindustrialzone,acommercialzoneoraspecialpurposezonethatareintegratedaspartofthedevelopment.Thisallowsfortheconsiderationofturbinesinanurbansettingwhichwouldallowforthegenerationofelectricitytosupporttheenergyneedsofadwelling,industry,businessorthelikeontheland.*

3. turbinesprincipallyusedtosupplyelectricitytoafacilityusedinconjunctionwithconservation,recreation,administration,oraccommodationuseonlanddescribedinascheduletotheNational Parks Act 1975.Thisallowsforthegenerationofelectricityforparkfacilities.

*Aturbinegeneratingelectricityforon-siteusemaybeconnectedtothegrid.Thecriticalquestioninthesecircumstancesiswhetherthewindenergyfacilityorturbine(s)generatesanamountofelectricitythatisgenerallyproportionaltotheelectricityrequirementsoftheuseoftheland.

2.2.5 Exclusion of wind energy facilities in locations that are likely to be required for future population growthAwindenergyfacilityisaprohibiteduseinanUrbanGrowthZone.

AwindenergyfacilityisalsoprohibitedonlandwithinfivekilometresofmajorregionalcitiesandcentresspecifiedintheRegionalVictoriaSettlementFrameworkplanintheSPPF,being:

Ararat,Bairnsdale,Ballarat,Bendigo,Benalla,Colac,Echuca,Geelong,Hamilton,Horsham,Mildura,Moe,Morwell,Portland,Shepparton,SwanHill,Traralgon,Sale,Wangaratta,WarrnamboolandWodonga.

TheselocationsarespecifiedintherelevantplanningschemesinthescheduletoClause52.32-2.Thefivekilometreexclusionareasareproposedtobereplacedbymorespecificlocationsoncethefuturegrowthplanningforthesecentreshasbeencompleted.

Theseprohibitionsdonotapply:

1. wheretheturbineisprincipallyusedtosupplyelectricityfordomesticorruraluse of the land

2. onlandinaresidentialzone,anindustrialzone,acommercialzoneoraspecialpurposezonethatareintegratedaspartofthedevelopment.Thisallowsfortheconsiderationofturbinesinanurbansettingwhichwouldallowforthegenerationofelectricitytosupporttheenergyneedsofadwelling,industry,businessorthelikeontheland.


2.2.6 Turbines within one kilometre of an existing dwellingIfanexistingdwellingislocatedwithinonekilometreofanyturbinethatformspartofaproposedwindenergyfacility,thepermitapplicationmustbeaccompaniedbyevidenceofthewrittenconsentoftheownerofthedwelling.Theapplicationisprohibitedbytheplanningschemewhereevidenceofwrittenconsentisnotprovided.Thisdoesnotapply:

1. wheretheturbineisprincipallyusedtosupplyelectricityfordomesticorruraluse of the land

2. onlandinaresidentialzone,anindustrialzone,acommercialzoneoraspecialpurposezone.Thisallowsfortheconsiderationofturbinesinanurbansetting

3. toanapplicationtoamendanexistingpermitunlesstheamendmentproposestoincreasethenumberofturbinesormoveaturbinesothatitislocatedclosertoanexistingdwelling(withinonekilometreofaturbine)thantheclosestpermittedturbinetothatdwelling.RefertoSection4.3.1(b)Applicationtoamendaplanningpermit.


Section 3

This section provides a decision-making framework for the assessment of wind energy facility applications.

3.1 Decision-making framework for a planning permit applicationTheuseanddevelopmentoflandforthepurposeofawindenergyfacilityrequiresaplanningpermit,underClause52.32-2oftheVPP.

Allplanningschemesincludeprovisionsthatapplytoassessingproposalsforwindenergyfacilities.Theseprovisionsinclude:

• thedefinitionofawindenergyfacilityinClause74(Landuseterms)

• stateplanningpolicyforrenewableenergyinClause19.01oftheStatePlanningPolicyFramework(SPPF)

• planningprovisionsandrequirementsforplanningpermitapplicationssetoutinClause52.32(WindEnergyFacility)

• planningpermitexemptionsforanemometerserectedforlessthanthreeyearssetoutinClause62.01.

3.2 Who is the responsible authority?TheMinisterforPlanningistheresponsibleauthorityforanewapplicationforapermitforawindenergyfacility.

RefertoSection6oftheseguidelinesregardingplanningpermitadminstrationandenforcement.

Note:IfaprojectissubjecttotherequirementsoftheEnvironment Effects Act 1978,thePlanning and Environment Act 1987 prescribestheplanningpermitprocessthatwillapply.Seesection3.4.1oftheseguidelines.

Planning framework for wind energy facility proposals

13


3.3 Other statutory approvals Apartfromobtainingplanningapprovalforawindenergyfacility,proponentsshouldbeawarethattheremaybeotherregulatoryrequirementsatboththestatelevelinVictoriaandthenationallevel.Theseinclude:

• forVictoria:

x Environment Effects Act 1978

x Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006

x Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988(FFGAct)

• for the Commonwealth

x Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCAct)

x Native Title Act 1993

Theonusisontheproponenttocontacttherelevantagencytodetermineitsrequirements.Relevantagencycontactsandalistoflegislationthatmayimpactonaproposedwindenergyfacilitycanbefoundatwww.delwp.vic.gov.au/planning-wind-energy.

3.3.1 State environmental assessment TheMinisterforPlanningisresponsibleforadministeringtheEnvironment Effects Act 1978andfordecidingwhetheranEnvironmentEffectsStatement(EES)isrequiredunderthatAct.Ifaproposalislikelytohaveasignificanteffectontheenvironment,itshouldbereferredtotheMinisterforadecisionontheneedforanEES.

TheonusisontheproponenttoreferaproposaltotheMinisterforPlanningtodeterminewhetheranEESisrequired.

TheMinisterforPlanningwillrequireapreliminarylandscapeassessmenttoaccompanyareferralofaproposedwindenergyfacility.ShouldanEESberequired,thenitmustincludeanindependentlypeer-reviewedvisualimpactassessmentbyasuitablyqualifiedandexperiencedperson.

TheministerialguidelinesforassessmentofenvironmentaleffectsundertheEnvironment Effects Act 1978provideguidanceonEESprocesses.Moreinformationcanbefoundatwww.delwp.vic.gov.au/environmental-assessment.

3.3.2 Commonwealth environmental assessment AproposalmayalsoneedapprovalundertheEPBCActifitislikelytohaveasignificantimpactonmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance,forexample,listedthreatenedormigratoryspecies.

WhenapersonproposestotakeanactionthattheybelievemayneedapprovalundertheEPBCAct,theymustrefertheproposaltotheCommonwealthMinisterforEnvironment.IftheMinisterdeterminesthatanapprovalisrequired,theproposedactionmustbeassessedundertheEPBCAct.

http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/planning-wind-energy

http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/planning-wind-energy

http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/environmental-assessment


FurtherinformationontheoperationoftheEPBCActisavailablefromtheFederalDepartmentofEnvironment,orforhelpindecidingwhetheranactionshouldbereferred,youshouldconsulttheEPBCAdministrativeGuidelinesonSignificanceat www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications,includingtheSignificant Impact Guidelines 1.1: Matters of National Environmental Significance(2009)andtheEPBC Act Policy Statement 2.3 – Wind Farm Industry(2009).

IfapprovalisrequiredundertheEPBCAct,theprojectmayneedtobeassessedusinganassessmentprocessspecifiedunderthatAct,oranaccreditedstateimpactassessmentprocessmaybeabletobeused.

UndertheBilateralAgreement(2009)betweenVictoriaandtheCommonwealth,thefollowingVictorianprocessescanbeaccredited:

• EESprocess

• AdvisoryCommitteeprocess

• planningpermitprocess.

TheCommonwealthMinisterforEnvironmentwillmakethefinaldecisionundertheEPBCAct,evenifaprojectisassessedusinganaccreditedstateimpactassessmentprocess.

Policy and planning guidelines for development of wind energy facilities in Victoria

Section 4

Planning permit applications – information for applicants

This section provides information for persons making an application for a permit for a wind energy facility.

4.1 The planning permit application process Thediagramonpage18setsoutthestepsinatypicalassessmentprocessforawindenergyfacility.Section4.2oftheseguidelinesprovidesfurtherdetailsaboutpreparingaplanningpermitapplication.

Proponentsshouldalsodetermineifanyotherpartsoftheproposaltriggertheneedforplanningpermitapproval,suchasoff-siteworksornativevegetationremoval.

PlanningschemezoningandoverlayinformationforanylocationinVictoriacanbeobtainedfromwww.dtpli.vic.gov.au/planningschemes.

4.1.1 Pre-application consultation with community and stakeholders Pre-applicationconsultationwiththecommunityandotherstakeholdersprovidesanopportunityforinformationgatheringandexchange.

Thedevelopmentofacommunityandstakeholdercommunicationsandconsultationplanishighlyrecommended,asitwillhelpdriveaneffectiveandefficientconsultativeprogram.

Pre-applicationconsultationisnotaformalstatutoryrequirementoftheplanningprocess,howevereffectivepre-applicationconsultationoffersbenefitsforproponentsandinterestedpartiesalike.Afteraplanningpermitapplicationislodged,therearestatutoryrequirementstonotifythepublicofaproposal.

Pre-applicationconsultationprovidestheproponentwithanopportunitytoidentifyandunderstandanyconcernsofthecommunityandstakeholders,andtoobtaininformationandfeedbackonexistingconditionsandpotentialissuestoaddressbeforethepublicnotificationphaseoftheplanningpermitapplication.Earlyconsultationwillassistindevelopingawellconceivedproposalandcontributetoanefficientassessmentprocess.

Someprinciplestoguideconsultationinclude:

• start early

• ensuretheconsultationiswellplanned

• providesuitableopportunitiesforinputbyparticularcommunityandstakeholdergroups

16

http://www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/planningschemes


• communicateeffectivelyby:

x listeningtowhatstakeholdersandthepublichavetosay

x listeningtowhatthelocalcouncil,DELWPandotheragencieshavetosay

x providingsufficientinformationtoenablestakeholderstomakeausefulcontribution

x providingbriefingsonprogressandfurtherinformationonrequest

x beingpreparedtomakeimprovements/changestotheproposalinresponsetostakeholderinputs

x monitoringstakeholderinvolvementandinputstorefineandbettertargettheconsultation.

Theproponentcancontacttheappropriatecouncilorregionalofficeoftherelevantgovernmentdepartmentforadviceregardingpre-applicationconsultationandissuesrelatingtoplanningandnaturalresourcemanagement.

Forfurtherguidanceonpreparinganappropriatecommunityandstakeholderengagementframeworkandaneffectivecommunityandstakeholdercommunicationsandconsultationplan,refertothe:

• draftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines(July2010),asamended,whichareavailableatwww.scew.gov.au

• Best Practice Guidelines for Implementation of Wind Energy Projects in Australia (Auswind,December2006),whichareavailableat www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au

• Effective Engagement Kit –DSE(Version3September2005),whichisavailableat www.dse.vic.gov.au/engage

4.1.2 Lodgement and processing of planning permit applications Aplanningpermitapplicationmustbelodgedwiththeresponsibleauthority.

Anapplicationwillnotproceeduntiltheproponentprovidesalltherequiredinformation.Aplanningapplicationmustincludesufficientinformationandexplanationtoallowtheresponsibleauthoritytocometoasoundandtimelydecision.Clauses52.32-3and52.32-4containdetailsofinformationthatmustbesubmittedwithanapplication.

Theseguidelineswillassistproponentsinthedesignandsitingofproposedwindenergyfacilitiesandinpreparingplanningpermitapplications.ThedraftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines(July2010)andtheBest Practice Guidelines for Implementation of Wind Energy Projects in Australia(Auswind,December2006)alsoprovideguidanceonthedesignandsitingofwindenergyfacilities.

Whenalltherelevantinformationhasbeenreceived,theresponsibleauthoritywillproceedwiththepublicnotificationandreferralrequirements.Uponcompletionofnoticeandreferral,theresponsibleauthoritywilldeterminetheapplication.Refertotheassessmentprocessflowchartonpage18.

http://www.scew.gov.au


Pre-application consultationwith DELWP, council, relevant agencies,

council and community

referralProject referred to Minister

for Planning *1

Preparing the planning permit application

lodgementPlanning permit application lodged

Further informationRA requests further information

if required

Public notificationPermit application

advertised

referralRA refers application to referral authorities

Submissions consideredRA receives and considers

objections and submissions

scopingScoping requirements for EES

studies and report set by Minister

Preparing the eesProponent prepares the EES *2

Public reviewExhibition of EES and lodgement

of submissions

InquiryMinister may appoint any inquiry to

consider the effects of the project, having regard to public submissions

Making an assessmentMinister’s assessment of

environmental effects

DecisionMinister’s decision

on the need for an ees

DecisionMinister’s

decision on proposal

Applicant to determine whether referral required

under ePBC Act

Separate process under ePBC Act

Commonwealth determines whether

proposal requires approval under

ePBC Act

Commonwealth decision under

eBPC Act

VCAT reviewIf applied for by applicant or

objectors *3

EPBC Act process EES process Planning permit process

current process

Decision on EES informs planning permit application decision

nO

nO

YES

yes yes

yes

*1 Including a preliminary landscape assessment.*2 Including a peer reviewed visual impact assessment.*3 No VCAT review available if permit application is ‘called in’ under s.97.DELWP – Department of Environment, Land Water & PlanningRA – Responsible AuthorityePBC Act – Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999EES – Environment Effects StatementVCAT – Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal

DecisionRA decides application

The assessment process flowchart

state ees Process

accredited under ePBC Act

proceed with planning permit application

process

Panel HearingWhere the Minister

is RA a joint planning panel and

EES inquiry may be appointed to

consider objections and submissions

received to both the ees and planning

application(s) – if the application(s) are

‘called in’


4.1.3 Decision options Theresponsibleauthoritymaydecidetograntapermit,refusetograntapermit,orwhereobjectionshavebeenreceived,issuenoticeofdecisiontograntapermit,givingobjectorsanopportunitytolodgeanapplicationforreviewatVCAT.

Whendraftingapermit,aresponsibleauthoritymustcomplywithForm4ofthePlanningandEnvironmentRegulations2005.ThemanualWriting Planning Permits (2007)providesguidanceonpreparingplanningpermits.Itisavailableat www.delwp.vic.gov.au/planning.Modelconditionsforpermitsforwindenergyfacilitieshavealsobeendevelopedandareattachedtotheseguidelines(seeAttachmentB).

Ifapermitisgrantedornoticeofdecisionissuedforawindenergyfacility,itwillnormallybesubjecttoconditionsrelatingtonoise,lightingofturbines,siteenvironmentalmanagement,decommissioningandrehabilitationrequirements,among other things.

IfapermitisissuedunderDivision6ofthePlanning and Environment Act 1987 thentheMinister’sdecisionisfinalandcannotbereviewedbyVCAT.

4.2 Preparing a planning permit application

4.2.1 Pre-application discussions Researchtheplanningcontrolsandthentalktotheresponsibleauthorityregarding:

• therelevantstateandlocalplanningpolicies,guidelinesandotherplanningschemerequirementsthatapplytotheproposal

• ifthereareanyreferralauthoritiesorotheragenciesthatmayhaveaninterestintheproposal,itisimportantatthispointtotalktothemaboutwhattheirrequirementsmightbe

• whomaybeaffectedbytheproposal

• informationrequiredtoaccompanytheapplication.

TalktoDELWPtofindoutiftheproposalshouldbereferredtotheMinisterforPlanningtodeterminewhetheranassessmentundertheEnvironment Effects Act 1978willberequired.Ifso,apreliminarylandscapeassessmentmustbepreparedbytheproponentandprovidedtothedepartment.

TalktoDELWPregionalbiodiversity,flora/faunaofficerstodeterminethelikelihoodofimpactonnativevegetation,threatenedspecies,andthetype/extentofsurveyswhichmaybeexpected.

ContacttheCommonwealthDepartmentofEnvironmenttofindoutwhethertheproposalisanactionthatislikelytohaveasignificantimpactonmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificanceoronCommonwealthland,andshouldbereferredtotheCommonwealthforassessmentandapprovalundertheEPBCAct.

Inaddition,contacttheAustralianEnergyMarketOperatorforearlyadviceaboutgridconnectionmatters.

http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au/planning


Undertakepre-applicationconsultationwiththecommunityandstakeholders.Whilenotaformalrequirementoftheplanningprocess,pre-consultationprovidesaforumforinformalandopenconsultationtoexchangeinformationandgainfeedbackontheproposalandpotentialmeasurestobeaddressedbeforepublicnotificationofthedevelopmentapplication.

4.2.2 Seek expert advice Anapplicationshouldbeaccompaniedbyanassessmentoftheecological,visual,noiseandotherenvironmentalimpactsoftheproposalpreparedbysuitablyqualifiedpersons.

Expertadviceonthesemattersshouldbesoughtearlytoinformthesiteselectionprocessandthepreparationofthesiteanalysisanddesignresponse.Theassessmentssubmittedwiththeapplicationshouldclearlystatethefacts,mattersandallassumptionsonwhichtheassessmentswerebased.

RefertothedraftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines(July2010)andBest Practice Guidelines for Implementation of Wind Energy Projects in Australia (Auswind,December2006).

4.2.3 Prepare the site analysis Asiteanalysisisanauditofthesubjectsiteanditssurrounds.Itwillcompriseaplan,photographsorsomeothersuitableinformationdescribingthelandandthemattersthatinfluencetheproposal.

Theinformationrequirementsforasiteanalysisforawindenergyfacilityaresetoutinsection4.3.2oftheseguidelines.Ifthelandisalsotobeusedforotherpurposes,suchasagriculture,thesiteanalysisshouldincludeinformationaboutthis.

4.3 Meeting application requirements Clause52.32(Windenergyfacility)inallplanningschemesoutlinesinformationwhichmustaccompanyanapplicationforapermitforawindenergyfacility.

Thefollowingprovidesassistancetoapplicantsonmattersthatshouldbeaddressedtomeettheseinformationrequirements.Thelevelofinformationrequiredtobeprovidedbyproponentswillvarydependingonthesizeandextentoftheproposal,andtherequirementsoftheresponsibleauthorityandanyreferralauthorities.

4.3.1 Turbines within one kilometre of a dwelling

(a) Evidence of written consent

Theresponsibleauthorityisrequiredtoestablishifanapplicationforawindenergyfacilityisdiscretionaryundertheplanningscheme.Whereanapplicationincludesaturbineorturbineswithinonekilometreofanexistingdwelling,theresponsibleauthoritymustbeprovidedevidenceofwrittenconsentoftheownerofthatdwellingordwellings.Theapplication


requirementsinClause52.32-3requireaplanningpermitapplicationtoinclude:

1. aplanshowingalldwellingswithinonekilometreofaproposedturbinethatformspartofthewindenergyfacility

2. evidenceofthewrittenconsentoftheownerofanyexistingdwellinglocatedwithinonekilometreofaproposedturbinethatformspartofthewind energy facility.

Thisdoesnotapplytoawindenergyfacilitythatislocatedonlandinaresidentialzone,anindustrialzone,acommercialzoneoraspecialpurposezone.

Evidenceofwrittenconsentshouldinclude:

• a statement of consent that includes

x thenameandaddressoftheowner(s)ofthedwelling

x theaddressof,andtitleparticularsfor,thelandonwhichthedwellingis located

x astatementthattheownerconsentstoanapplicationbeingmadethatincludesaturbine(s)locatedasshownontheattachedplan

• aplanshowing:

x the dwelling

x theproposedlocationoftheturbine(s)withinonekilometreofthedwelling

x thedistancebetweenthedwellingandtheproposedturbine(s).

Thelocationoftheturbine(s)canbeaspecificsiteoramoregeneralareainwhichtheturbine(s)willbesited.

Theplanshouldbeabletobereadandreconciledwiththeplansofthewindenergyfacilitythatformpartoftheapplication(includingtheplanshowingalldwellingswithinonekilometreofaproposedturbinethatformspartofthewindenergyfacility).

Thestatementofconsentandtheattachedplanshouldbothbesignedanddatedbytheownerofthedwelling.

AttachmentAcanbeusedasastatementofconsent.

(b) Applications to amend a planning permitClause52.32-3inallplanningschemesenablesamendmentstoaplanningpermittobeconsideredbytheresponsibleauthoritywithouttheneedforadwellingownerconsentwhereturbinesarewithinonekilometreofadwelling.

Tobeexemptfromdwellingownerconsentthefollowingrequirementsapplytoanapplicationtoamendaplanningpermit:

• itdoesnotincreasethenumberofproposedturbines,or

• themovementofaturbine,measuredfromthecentreofitstoweratgroundlevel,doesnotresultinitbeinglocatedclosertoadwelling(withinonekilometreofaturbine)thantheclosestpermittedturbinetothat dwelling.


Proposalstoamendaplanningpermitwillberequiredtomeettherelevantapplicationrequirements(refertoSection4.3)andmaybesubjecttoapublicnotificationprocessatthediscretionoftheresponsibleauthority.

RefertoSection6oftheseguidelinestodeterminewhoistheresponsibleauthorityforanamendmenttoanexistingpermit.

4.3.2 Site and context analysis

(a) A site and context analysis

Asiteandcontextanalysisisanapplicationrequirementoftheplanningscheme.Thesiteanalysismayincludeasiteplan,photographsorothertechniquestoaccuratelydescribe:

• inrelationtothesite:

x siteshape,dimensionsandsize

x orientationandcontours

x current land use

x theexistinguseandsitingofexistingbuildingsorworksontheland

x existingvegetationtypes,conditionandcoverage

x thelandscapeofthesite

x speciesoffloraandfaunalistedundertheFFGActandtheEPBCAct

x sitesofculturalheritagesignificance

x windcharacteristics

x anyothernotablefeatures,constraints(e.g.acidsulphatesoil,highlyerodiblesoilsandlandinstability)orothercharacteristicsofthesite

• inrelationtothesurroundingarea:

x existinglanduses

x above-groundutilities

x access to infrastructure

x directionanddistancestonearbydwellings,townships,urbanareas,significantconservationandrecreationareas,waterfeatures,touristroutesandwalkingtracks,majorroads,airports,aerodromesandexistingandproposedwindenergyfacilities

x thesitinganduseofbuildingsonadjacentproperties

x thelocationofallexistingdwellingswithinonekilometreofthenearestturbine(adoptingaprecautionaryapproach,accountingformicro-sitingvariationinfinalplacementofturbines).Wheretheproposalincludesanyturbineswithinonekilometreofanexistingdwelling,theapplicationmustbeaccompaniedbyevidenceofthewrittenconsentoftheownerofthedwelling.Theapplicationisprohibitedundertheplanningschemewhereevidenceofthewrittenconsentisnotprovided


x thelandscape,includinganysignificantlandscapefeatures

x viewstoandfromthesite,includingviewsfromexistingdwellingsandkeyvantagepointsincludingmajorroads,walkingtracks,touristroutesandregionalpopulationgrowthcorridors

x sitesoffloraandfaunalistedundertheFFGandEPBCActs,includingsignificanthabitatcorridors,andmovementcorridorsforthesefauna

x sitesofculturalheritagesignificance

x NationalParks,StateParks,CoastalReservesandotherlandsubjecttothe National Parks Act 1975

x landdeclaredaRamsarwetlandasdefinedundersection17oftheEPBCAct

x locationofanynearbylandincludedinthescheduletoClause52.32-2oftheplanningscheme(i.especifiedareasoflandscapeandenvironmentalsignificance,specifiedcoastallocationsandareasidentifiedtoaccommodatefuturepopulationgrowthofregionalcitiesandcentres)showingthatthesetbackrequirementsaremet

x anyothernotablefeaturesorcharacteristicsofthearea

x bushfirerisks.

(b) A location plan

Aplanshowingtheareaaroundthesiteincluding:

• localelectricitygrid(includingcapacity)

• access roads to the site.

4.3.3 Design response

(a) A development plan

Adevelopmentplancomprising:

• detailedplansoftheproposeddevelopmentshowing:

x thelayoutofthewindturbinegeneratorsandassociatedbuildingsandworks(thiscanincludeanemometers)

x proposedconnectionstotheelectricitygrid(theon-sitemeteredpointofoutputfromtheconverterstationwherethegeneratedelectricityunitswillenterthedistributionsystem)

x access roads on the site

• aconceptplanthatincludesthecapacityofnewgridconnections,networktransmissioninfrastructure,electricityutilityworksandaccessroadoptions

• accuratevisualsimulationsshowingtheappearanceofthedevelopmentinthecontextofthesurroundingareaandfromkeypublicviewpoints


• measurestomanageanyfirerisksassociatedwiththefacilityorconnectionstotheelectricitygrid

• arehabilitationplanforthesite,includingplansforrevegetationandregenerationworks.

(b) Written reports

Writtenreportsincluding:

• awrittenresponsethatexplainshowtheproposeddesignderivesfromandrespondstothesiteanalysis

• adescriptionoftheproposal,including:

x thenumber,locationandspecificationsofthewindgeneratorturbines(includingtheheightofeachturbinetothetipoftheturbinebladewhenverticalabovegroundlevel)

x theamountofelectricitytobeexportedfromthesite

x asummaryofthecontributionoftheproposalto:

- minimising greenhouse emissions

- increasingVictoria’sdiversityandsecurityofenergysupply

- economicandsocialoutcomesoftheproposal,includinglocalandregionalconsiderations

x infrastructurerequirements,includingproposedconnectionstotheelectricitygridandvehicleaccessroutes

• howtheproposalrespondstoanysignificantlandscapefeaturesfortheareaidentifiedintheplanningscheme

• anassessmentofthevisualimpactoftheproposalonthelandscape,includinglandthatisdescribedinascheduletotheNational Parks Act 1975,Ramsarwetlandsandcoastalareas

• anassessmentoftheimpactoftheproposalonfauna,includinganyspecies(examiningparticularlybirdsandbats)listedundertheFFGActorEPBCAct

• anassessmentofthenoiseimpactoftheproposalpreparedinaccordancewiththeNewZealandStandardNZS6808:2010,Acoustics–WindFarmNoise(theStandard),includinganassessmentofwhetherahighamenitynoiselimitisapplicable,asassessedunderSection5.3oftheStandard(www.standards.co.nz).

• anassessmentoftheimpactsuponAboriginalandnon-Aboriginalculturalheritage

• anassessmentofthetrafficimpactsoftheproposalduringconstructionanddeliveryofmaterialsandtheimpactonroadpavements

• anexplanationofwhythesiteissuitableforawindenergyfacilityhavingregardto:

x theSPPFandtheLocalPlanningPolicyFramework,includingtheMunicipalStrategicStatementandanyrelevantlocalplanningpolicy


x thesuitabilityofthesiteincomparisontootherpotentialsitesinthearea

x howtheproposalrespondstolikelyamenityeffectsonthesurroundingarea,existingdwellingsandnearbysettlementsduetovisual,noiseandotherenvironmentalimpacts,andincludingaviationsafetylighting,bladeglint,shadowflicker,overshadowing,andelectromagneticinterference

x theextenttowhichtheproposalhasbeendesignedtomanageanypotentialadverseimpacts

x howtheproposalrespondstoanydeclared(ornotifiable)animalorplantpestsanddisease,orinvasiveplantandanimalspeciesrisksassociatedwithconstructionandongoingmanagementoftheareaidentifiedintheplanningscheme(andconsistentwithbiosecurityrelatedprovisionsintheCatchment and Land Protection Act 1994,Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 and Plant Health and Plant Products Act 1995

x thecumulativeeffectsoftheproposalhavingregardtootherexistingorproposedwindenergyfacilitiesintheareaandothersourcesofindustrial noise emissions

x theeconomicandsocialimpactsoftheproposal.

Writtenreportsmayincludeplans,drawings,photographs,computer-basedsimulationsandotherdocuments.

4.3.4 Flora and fauna impacts assessment Inthefirstinstance,proponentsshouldcontactDELWPortheCommonwealthDepartmentofEnvironmentdirectlyforadviceregardingwhethertheproposedwindenergyfacilitymayimpactspeciesoffloraorfaunaprotectedundertheFFGActortheEPBCAct.

WhereitisreasonablylikelythatspecieslistedundertheFFGActortheEPBCActwillbepresentonornearthesite,orusingthesiteasamigratorycorridor,applicantsforawindenergyfacilitypermitshouldconductsurveysattheappropriatetimeforatleast12monthsprecedingtheplanningpermitapplication.DELWPortheCommonwealthDepartmentofEnvironment(asappropriate)shouldbeconsultedonthetimingofthesurveys.Surveyworkshoulddeterminethespeciespresent,anyadverseimpactslikelytoarisefromtheproposedwindenergyfacility,andanyappropriatemitigationmeasures.

Potential biodiversity impactsPossibleimpactsofawindenergyfacilityonbiodiversitycanbeconsideredundersixcategoriessetoutbelow.Theresponsibleauthorityshouldconsiderthefollowingmattersinassessingapplicationsanddevelopingpermitconditions:

Direct removal of native vegetation and habitat

• Mayariseforturbinetowerfootings,tracksandotherinfrastructure

• Maybeminimisedbylayoutdesignandmicro-siting

• AddressunavoidablelossesunderVictoria’sNativeVegetationFramework


Native fauna casualties resulting from construction activities

• Siteinductiontominimiseriskstowildlifeon-site

• Minimiseriskstowildlifearisingfromexcavationworks

Bird and bat casualties resulting from collisions with moving turbine blades

• Siteselectionandtoanextentlayoutandmicro-sitingwillimpactonrisklevel,especiallyforlarge,slow-flyingbirds(e.g.waterbirds,raptors)

• Aswellasdirectcollision,batscanbekilledbybarotraumas(lunginjury)

• Somebirdandbatspeciesmayrequirespecialconsiderationduetosignificance,behaviourormovementpatterns

Bird and bat casualties resulting from collisions with stationary infrastructure (for example towers, anemometers, fences, powerlines)

• Lightingmaydisorientbirdsatnight,increasingcollisionrisk

• Fences,wiresandtransmissionlinescanbedifficultformanyspeciestoavoid

• Transmissionlinesposeawell-documentedhazardformanyspeciesoflargebirds

Indirect habitat loss resulting from avoidance

• Somespeciesmayavoidturbinesbylargemargins,leadingtolossofaccesstoadjacenthabitat

• Differentavoidancedistancesmayapplytodifferentspeciesortoparticularspeciesatdifferentseasons

Cumulative barrier effects

• Migratoryorotherwisemobilespeciesmayrequireturbine-freecorridorsthroughwhichtotravelbetweencriticalsites(e.g.breedingandnon-breedinghabitats).

• Corridorneedsmayvaryaccordingtorelevantspecies.

Inevaluatingwindenergyfacilityimpactsonbirdsandbatsincludecumulativeimpactsofanumberofdiscretewindenergydevelopmentswithinabroadarea.Itisimportanttoplacethecollisionrisksinherentinwindfarmsincontextwithotheranthropogeniccollisionriskssuchasfences,windowsandmotorvehicles.However,potentialimpactsofspecificdevelopmentsshouldstillbeidentified,quantified,minimisedandwherenecessaryoffsettoensurethatthenetimpactofwindfarmdevelopmentsonbiodiversityvalues,especiallywithregardtothreatenedspecies,is at worst neutral.

FurtheradviceisprovidedinthedraftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines (July2010)andspeciesguidelinesproducedbyDELWP.

4.3.5 environmental Management Plan Thepreparationofanenvironmentalmanagementplan(EMP)willberequired.Anenvironmentalmanagementplandetailshowthesitewillbemanagedthroughconstruction,andsetsoutfutureoperationalandmaintenancerequirements. Itshouldinclude:

• principlesofenvironmentalmanagementrelevanttothesiteandnatureandscale of the facility


• standardstobemet

• environmentalmitigationmeasures

• monitoringrequirements

• post-constructionadaptivemanagementmeasureswheremonitoringshowstheproposalmayhavesignificantimpactsonEPBCActandFFGActlistedspecies

• noisecomplaintsregistrationandresponseprocesses

• emergencymanagementandresponseplan

• decommissioningandrehabilitationrequirements.

FurtherconsiderationsareprovidedinthedraftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines(July2010).

4.3.6 Aircraft safety issues Theheightofwindenergyturbinescanbesubstantial,resultinginpotentialimpactsuponnearbyairfieldsandairsafetynavigation.Applicantsforawindenergyfacilitypermitshouldaddressaircraftsafetyissuesbyconsideringtheproximityofthesitetoairports,aerodromes,orlandingstrips.

ApplicantsshouldconsultwiththeCivilAviationSafetyAuthority(CASA)forwindenergyfacilityproposalsthat:

• arewithin30kilometresofadeclaredaerodromeorairfield

• infringetheObstacleLimitationSurfacearoundadeclaredaerodrome

• includeabuildingorstructurethetopofwhichwillbe110metresormoreabovenaturalgroundlevel(heightofawindturbineisthatreachedbythetipofthe turbinebladewhenverticalabovegroundlevel).


Section 5

Information for a responsible authority assessing a wind energy facility

This section outlines the key criteria for evaluation of the planning merits of a wind energy facility.

5.1 Assessing wind energy facility proposals – matters for consideration Proposalsforwindenergyfacilitiesmustbeassessedagainststateplanningpolicy,localplanningpolicyandothermattersspecifiedinsection60ofthePlanning and Environment Act 1987.

Theseguidelinesprovidearesponsibleauthoritywithassistancefortheassessmentofawindenergyfacility.Theextentandbreadthofissuesthatariseandrequireassessmentwilldifferbetweenproposalsandwillneedtobedeterminedonacase-by-casebasis.Aresponsibleauthorityshouldendeavourtobalanceenvironmental,socialandeconomicmattersinfavourofnetcommunitybenefitandsustainabledevelopment.

Anexplanationofmatterstobeconsideredbyaresponsibleauthorityinassessingpermitapplicationsforwindenergyfacilitiesfollows.Somesuggestedimpactreductionmeasuresspecifictowindenergyfacilitiesareoutlinedbelow.

5.1.1 Contribution to government policy objectives TheStatePlanningPolicyFramework(SPPF)inallplanningschemesrequiresthataplanningauthoritymakedecisionsonthebasisoffair,orderly,economicandsustainableuseanddevelopmentofland.InthiscontexttheSPPFcontainsaspecificpolicypositionregardingrenewableenergy–refertoClause19.01(Renewableenergy).Thisistheoverarchingpolicystatementregardingwindenergydevelopmentwhichstates:

Objective To promote the provision of renewable energy in a manner that ensures appropriate siting and design considerations are met.

Strategies In considering proposals for renewable energy, consideration should be given to the economic and environmental benefits to the broader community of renewable energy generation, while also considering the need to minimise the effects of a proposal on the local community and environment. (Paragraph 4 of 5)

MorespecificprovisionsrelatingtoassessingwindenergydevelopmentsaresetoutinClause52.32(WindEnergyFacility)oftheVPP.

28


Aresponsibleauthoritymustassesstheimpactofawindenergyfacilityonlandscapevalues,floraandfauna,humanwellbeingandamenityinasystematicmanner.Inassessingimpactsandappropriatemitigationresponses,aresponsibleauthorityshouldreferencebestpracticestandardsincludingthedraftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines(July2010)andBest Practice Guidelines for Implementation of Wind Energy Projects in Australia(Auswind,December2006).

5.1.2 Amenity of the surrounding area Awindenergyfacilitycanaffecttheamenityofthesurroundingareaduetonoise,bladeglint,shadowflicker,overshadowingandelectromagneticinterference.

(a) Noise

Awindenergyfacilitycancreatenoiseduetothe:

• mechanicalnoiseproducedbythewindturbinegenerators

• movementoftherotorbladesthroughtheair

• constructionnoise.

Theimpactofthenoisedependsonthesensitivityofthesurroundinglanduses,existingbackgroundnoiselevels,topographyandwindspeedanddirection.

AwindenergyfacilityshouldcomplywiththenoiselimitsrecommendedfordwellingsandothernoisesensitivelocationsintheNewZealandStandardNZS6808:2010Acoustics–WindFarmNoise(theStandard).

TheStandardspecifiesageneral40decibellimitforwindfarmsoundlevels,orthesoundshouldnotexceedthebackgroundsoundlevelbymorethanfivedecibels,whicheveristhegreater.

Undersection5.3oftheStandard,a‘highamenitynoiselimit’of35decibelsappliesinspecialcircumstances.Allwindfarmapplicationsmustbeassessedusingsection5.3oftheStandardtodeterminewhetherahighamenitynoiselimitisjustifiedforspecificlocations,followingproceduresoutlinedinclauseC5.3.1oftheStandard.GuidancecanbefoundonthisissueintheVCATdeterminationfortheCherryTreeWindFarm.

Compliancewiththehigherstandardcantypicallybeachievedbyachangeinthelocation,numberofoperatingmodeoftheturbines.

Planningpermitconditionsshouldrequirepostinstallationnoisecompliancetobemonitoredanddemonstratedtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.RefertothemodelpermitconditionsinAttachmentB.

CertificationofwhetherawindenergyfacilitycomplieswiththeStandardandotherapplicablenoiserequirementsmustbeundertakenbyanacousticengineer.Thewindenergyfacilityoperatormustprovidetheresponsibleauthoritywithappropriatedocumentationsignedbyanindependent,appropriatelyqualifiedandexperiencedperson.Thecertifiermustbeabletodemonstratetotheresponsibleauthorityappropriateindependence,qualificationsandexperiencetocarryoutthetask.

MeasurementandcomplianceassessmentmethodsaresetoutintheStandard.


Wind farm noise complianceWindfarmnoisecompliancemustbeestablishedbytestingandreportingbyspecialistnoiseandacousticconsultantsfamiliarwiththeapplicationoftheapplicablestandardsandrequirements.Inseekingtoachievecompliance,partiesmayseektoengageanenvironmentalauditor,appointedunderthe Environment Protection Act 1970,toconductanassessmentandverificationofwindfarmnoisecompliance.Thisassessmentwouldverifynoisecompliance,withregardtotherelevantstandardsandplanningpermitconditions,andthisguideline.

Proposedorexistingwindfarmoperatorsshouldconsiderobtaininganassessmentofcompliance,aspartofanysubmission,todemonstrateongoingcompliancetosatisfypermitrequirements.Thisarrangementmayalsobeaccessedbyaresponsibleauthorityforthepurposesofundertakingapeerreviewonnoisecomplianceassessments.AfulllistofEnvironmentProtectionAuthority(EPA)appointedauditorsisavailableontheEPAwebsite.

What is an assessment of compliance issued by an EPA appointed auditor?Anassessmentofcomplianceconsistsoftwodocuments,beingadeclarationandareportsupportingthedeclaration(anexampleofasimilardeclarationcanbefoundintheEPApublicationLandfill Licensing Guidelines, Publication 1323.2).

Thedeclarationreferredtoabove,issuedbyanEPAappointedauditorisadeclarationthatthenoiseassessmentmeetstherequirementsof:

1. theappropriatestandards

2. thisguideline(asitrelatestonoise)and

3. thepermitorotherregulatoryinstrument.

Thedeclarationmustbeaccompaniedbyareport,signedbytheauditor,addressingthematters1.to3.aboveanddetailingtheconsiderationstheyhaverelieduponinformingtheirview.Thisreportshouldbethoroughbutconcise.Thereportmusthaveadequatedetailincludinganannexurelistingalldocumentsexaminedorreliedupontopermitanyreadertofollowthedeliberationsthattheauditorundertookinformingtheirview.

Auditor dutiesAnEPAappointedauditorisexpectedinundertakinganyfunctiontoapplysoundengineeringandauditpractices,behavinginanethicalmannerupholdingthereputationofthe“auditsystem”andadheretothewordingandintentofrelevantguidelines.EPAhasguidelinesdetailingthedutiesandresponsibilitiesofanEPAappointedauditor.TofindoutmoreabouttherolesandresponsibilitiesofanEPAappointedauditorpleasevisittheEPAwebsite.AgoodstartingpointisEPApublication865Environmental Auditor Guidelines for Appointment and Conduct.


(b) Blade glint

Bladeglintcanresultfromthesunreflectingfromturbineblades.

Bladesshouldbefinishedwithasurfacetreatmentoflowreflectivitytoensurethatglintisminimised.FurtherconsiderationsareprovidedinthedraftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines(July2010).

(c) Shadow flicker

Shadowflickerresultsfromthepositionofthesuninrelationtothebladesofthewindturbineastheyrotate.Thisoccursundercertaincombinationsofgeographicalpositionandtimeofday.Theseasonaldurationofthiseffectcanbecalculatedfromthegeometryofthemachineandthelatitudeof the site.

Shadowflickercanbemodelledinadvanceandsitinganddesigncanmitigatetheproblem.Thisismorelikelytobeanissueforturbineslocatedtothe east or west of a dwelling.

Theshadowflickerexperiencedimmediatelysurroundingtheareaofadwelling(gardenfencedarea)mustnotexceed30hoursperyearasaresultoftheoperationofthewindenergyfacility.FurtherconsiderationsareprovidedinthedraftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines (July2010).

(d) Electromagnetic interference

Theeffectofwindturbinesonelectromagneticwaveswillusuallyberelativelylimited.Potentialelectromagneticinterferenceeffectscanbecalculatedfrominformationaboutaffectedtelecommunicationstransmittingorreceivingstations,localconditions,turbinedesignandlocation.

Thepotentialforelectromagneticinterferencefromthegenerationofelectricityfromawindenergyfacilityshouldbeminimised,ifnoteliminated,throughappropriateturbinedesignandsiting.

Thesitingofwindturbinesinthe‘lineofsight’betweentransmittersandreceiversshouldbeavoided.FurtherconsiderationsareprovidedinthedraftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines(July2010).

5.1.3 Landscape and visual amenity Thedegreeofvisualimpactofawindenergyfacilitydependsontheextentofthechangetothelandscapecausedbythedevelopment,takingintoaccount:

• thevisibilityofthedevelopment

• thelocationsanddistancesfromwhichthedevelopmentcanbeviewed

• thesignificanceofthelandscapeasdescribedintheplanningscheme(includinginanoverlay,arelevantstrategicstudyorlandscapefeaturesreferencedintheplanningscheme)

• landscapevaluesassociatedwithnearbyparksdescribedinascheduletotheNational Parks Act 1975orRamsarwetlands


• landscapevaluesassociatedwithnearbylandincludedinthescheduletoClause52.32-2oftheplanningscheme,suchasspecifiedareasoflandscapeandenvironmentalsignificance,specifiedcoastallocationsandareasidentifiedtoaccommodatefuturepopulationgrowthofregionalcitiesandcentres

• thesensitivityofthelandscapefeaturestochange.

Thevisualimpactofthedevelopmentrelatesto:

• thenumber,height,scale,spacing,colourandsurfacereflectivityofthewindturbines

• thequantityandcharacteristicsoflighting,includingaviationobstaclelighting(subjecttoCASArequirementsandadvice)

• avoidanceofvisualcluttercausedbyturbinelayoutandabilitytoviewthroughaclusterorarray(visuallywellorderedseries)ofturbinesinanorderlymanner

• theremovalorplantingofvegetation

• thelocationandscaleofotherbuildingsandworksincludingtransmissionlinesand associated access roads

• proximitytosensitiveareas

• proximitytoanexistingorproposedwindenergyfacility,havingregardtocumulativevisualeffects.

Thefeaturesofthelandscapeinclude:

• thetopographyoftheland

• theamountandtypeofvegetation

• naturalfeaturessuchaswaterways,cliffs,escarpments,hills,gulliesandvalleys

• visualboundariesbetweenmajorlandscapetypes

• thetype,pattern,builtform,scaleandcharacterofdevelopment,includingroadsandwalkingtracks

• floraandfaunahabitat

• cultural heritage sites

• theskyline.

Windenergyfacilitieswillhaveadegreeofimpactonthelandscape.

Aresponsibleauthorityneedstodeterminewhetherornotthevisualimpactofawindenergyfacilityinthelandscapeisacceptable.Indoingso,theyshouldconsiderplanningschemeobjectivesforthelandscape,includingwhetherthelandissubjecttoanEnvironmentalSignificanceOverlay,VegetationProtectionOverlay,SignificantLandscapeOverlayorarelevantstrategicstudythatispartoftherelevantplanningscheme.

Thevisualimpactofaproposalshouldhaveregardtorelevantstateandlocalgovernmentplanningpolicy.

Thefollowingmeasuresaresuggestedtoreducethevisualimpactsofwindenergyfacilities:

• sitinganddesigntominimiseimpactsonviewsfromareasusedforrecreationand from dwellings


• locatingarraysofturbinestoreflectdominanttopographicaland/orculturalfeatures,suchasridgelines,thecoastline,watercourses,windbreaksortransmission lines

• usingturbinecolourtoreducevisualimpactsfromkeypublicviewpoints

• limitingnightlightingtothatrequiredforsafeoperationofawindenergyfacilityandforaviationsafety

• reducingthenumberofwindturbineswithobstaclelightswhilenotcompromisingaviationsafety

• mitigatinglightglarefromobstaclelightingthroughmeasuressuchasbaffling

• selectingturbinesthatareconsistentinheight,appearanceandrotatethesameway

• spacingturbinestorespondtolandscapecharacteristics

• undergroundingelectricitylineswhereverpracticable

• minimisingearthworksandprovidingmeasurestoprotectdrainagelinesandwaterways

• minimisingremovalofvegetation

• avoidingadditionalclutteronturbines,suchasunrelatedadvertisingandtelecommunicationsapparatus.

FurtherconsiderationsareprovidedinthedraftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines (July2010).

5.1.4 Flora and fauna Aresponsibleauthorityshouldconsidertheeffectsoftheproposedwindenergyfacilityonfloraandfaunaatthesiteandinthesurroundingarea.Considerationshouldbegivento:

• whetherthespeciesandcommunitiesareprotectedundertheEPBCActortheFFGAct

• thesensitivityofanyprotectedspeciestodisturbance

• thepotentiallossofhabitatofspeciesprotectedundertheEPBCActortheFFGAct

• measurestominimisetheimpactsonanynativespecies.

Iftheproposalislikelytohavesignificantimpactsonlistedspecies,theresponsibleauthorityshouldconsiderwhethertheapplicanthasprovidedappropriatesurveywork(refertosection4.3.4oftheseguidelinesformoredetail).Aresponsibleauthorityshouldconsiderwhethertoimposeplanningpermitconditionsrequiringmonitoringoffloraandfauna,includingfurthersurveywork,afterconstructionofthewindenergyfacility.Anenvironmentalmanagementplanmayprovideforthedevelopmentofreasonableandcosteffectivestepstominimiseanyongoingrisks.


Ifnativevegetationisproposedtoberemoved,aresponsibleauthoritymusthaveregardtoPermitted clearing of native vegetation – Biodiversity assessment guidelines(DepartmentofEnvironmentandPrimaryIndustry2013).Inapplyingthepolicy,therearethreekeystepsforlandmanagersandownerstoaddresswhenconsideringvegetationclearing(asaddressedinClause12.01-2oftheSPPFofallplanningschemes):

• asapriority,avoidtheremovalofnativevegetation

• iftheremovalofnativevegetationcannotbeavoided,minimisethelossofnativevegetationthroughappropriateconsiderationinplanningprocessesandexpertinputintoprojectdesignormanagement

• identifyappropriateoffsetactions.

DetailsregardingremovingnativevegetationcanbefoundontheDepartmentofEnvironment,Land,WaterandPlanningwebsiteat www.delwp.vic.gov.auorcontacttherelevantregionaloffice.

5.1.5 Aircraft safety Theheightofwindenergyturbinescanbesubstantial,resultinginpotentialimpactsuponnearbyairfieldsandairsafetynavigation.Aresponsibleauthorityshouldconsidertheproximityofthesitetoairports,aerodromesorlandingstrips,andensurethatanyaircraftsafetyissuesareidentifiedandaddressedappropriately.

AlthoughtheCivilAviationSafetyAuthority(CASA)isnotaformalreferralauthorityforwindenergyfacilitypermitapplications,aresponsibleauthorityshouldneverthelessconsultwithCASAinrelationtoaircraftsafetyimpactsofawindenergyfacilityproposal,particularlyproposalsthat:

• arewithin30kilometresofadeclaredaerodromeorairfield

• infringetheobstaclelimitationsurfacearoundadeclaredaerodrome

• includeabuildingorstructurethetopofwhichwillbe110metresormoreabovenaturalgroundlevel(heightofawindturbineisthatreachedbythetipoftheturbinebladewhenverticalabovegroundlevel)

OtherprivateairstripsmaynotbeidentifiedbyconsultationwithCASA.Thesemaybeidentifiedusingaerialphotographs,discussionswiththerelevantcouncil,orconsultationwithlocalcommunities.

AresponsibleauthorityshouldensurethattheproponenthasconsultedappropriatelywithCASAinrelationtoaircraftsafetyandnavigationissues.Refertosection4.3.6oftheseguidelinesformoredetail.

CASAmayrecommendappropriatesafeguardstoensureaviationsafety.Thesemayincludechangestoturbinelocations,turbineheightsand/ortheprovisionofaviationsafetylighting.AresponsibleauthorityshouldensurethatanyconcernsraisedbyCASAareappropriatelyreflectedinpermitconditions.


Aviationsafetylightingcanhaveanimpactontheamenityofthesurroundingarea.Aresponsibleauthoritymayconsiderthefollowingimpactreductionmeasures(subjecttoCASArequirementsandadvice):

• reducingthenumberofwindturbineswithobstaclelights

• specifyinganobstaclelightthatminimiseslightintensityatgroundlevel

• specifyinganobstaclelightthatmatcheslightintensitytometeorologicalvisibility

• mitigatinglightglarefromobstaclelightingthroughmeasuressuchasbaffling.

FurtherconsiderationsareprovidedinthedraftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines(July2010).

5.1.6 Construction impacts and decommissioning Asoutlinedabove,constructionofawindenergyfacilityandassociatedinfrastructure(accessroadsandtransmissionlines)mustbemanagedtominimiseon-andoff-siteadverseimpactsonnearbyresidentsandtheenvironment.Anenvironmentalmanagementplan(EMP)mustbeprovidedaspartofeveryplanningapplication,settingouthowenvironmentalimpactswillbemanagedthroughconstructionandprovidingfutureoperationalandmaintenancespecifications.Refertosection4.3.5oftheseguidelinesformoredetail.

TheapprovedEMPshouldbeendorsedbytheresponsibleauthorityandformpartoftheplanningpermit.AresponsibleauthorityshouldconsiderimposingapermitconditionrequiringthattheuseanddevelopmentbeconductedinaccordancewiththeendorsedEMP.

ThedraftNational Wind Farm Development Guidelines(July2010)provideastandardexpectedframeworkforanEMPcoveringconstruction,operationanddecommissioningphasesofawindenergyfacility.


Section 6

Planning permit administration and enforcement

This section describes the role of the responsible authority in administering and enforcing wind energy facility permit conditions.

6.1 Administration of planning permits Section13(a)ofthePlanning and Environment Act 1987(theAct)hastheeffectthattheresponsibleauthorityforadministrationpurposesisthelocalcouncilunlesstheplanningschemespecifiesanotherpersonastheresponsibleauthorityforthosepurposes.

Clause61.01-1ofallplanningschemesspecifiesthattheMinisterforPlanningistheresponsibleauthorityforconsideringanddeterminingplanningpermitapplications;andformattersrequiredbyapermitortheschemetobedonetothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthorityfortheuseanddevelopmentoflandforawindenergyfacility.

Inrelationtopermitsissuedpriorto2April2015underDivision1ofPart4oftheActtheCouncilistheresponsibleauthorityforextensionsoftime,correctionsandamendmentapplications;andformattersrequiredbythepermitortheschemetobedonetothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

Inrelationtopermitsissuedpriorto2April2015underDivision6ofPart4oftheAct,theCouncilistheresponsibleauthorityformattersrequiredbythepermitortheschemetobedonetothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.Section97HoftheAct(togetherwithClause61.01-1ofthescheme)specifiesresponsibleauthoritystatusforothermattersinrelationtopermitsissuedunderDivision6ofPart4.

6.2 Planning permit conditions PlanningpermitconditionsmustbeconsistentwithprovisionssetoutinClause52.32oftheVPP,andshouldbegenerallyconsistentwiththeseguidelines.Modelplanningpermitconditionsforwindenergyfacilitiesareattachedtotheseguidelines(seeAttachmentB).Theseconditionscanbecustomisedbytheresponsibleauthoritytoreflectlocalplanningpolicyandspecificprojectcircumstances.


6.3 Enforcement of planning scheme and planning permits Section13(a)oftheActhastheeffectthattheresponsibleauthorityforenforcementpurposesisthelocalcouncil,unlesstheplanningschemespecifiesanotherpersonastheresponsibilityauthorityforthosepurposes.

Thelocalcouncilistheresponsibleauthorityforenforcementpurposes.

WhereapermithasbeenissuedbytheMinisterunderDivision6ofPart4oftheActsection97HoftheAct,togetherwiththeplanningscheme,specifieswhoistheresponsibleauthorityforadministrationandenforcementpurposes.


TerMs

CASA TheCivilAviationSafetyAuthority

DELWP DepartmentofEnvironment,Land,WaterandPlanning

VictorianDepartmentadministeringtheFFGAct

DEDJTR DepartmentofEconomicDevelopment,Jobs,TransportandResources

DE DepartmentofEnvironment FederalDepartmentadministeringtheEPBCAct

EES EnvironmentEffectsStatement AstatementpreparedundertheEnvironment Effects Act 1978(Vic)assessingthesignificantenvironmentaleffectsofproposedworks

EMP Environmentalmanagementplan

EPA EnvironmentProtectionAuthority

EPBCAct Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999(Cth)

Federallegislationdealingwiththeprotectionof,andassessmentofimpactsofactivitieson,mattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance

FFGAct Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Victorianlegislationdealingwiththeprotectionoflistedspeciesoffloraandfauna

SPPF StatePlanningPolicyFramework ContainedintheVPPandallplanningschemes

the Standard

NewZealandStandardNZS6808:2010Acoustics–WindFarmNoise

ThenoisestandardwindenergyfacilitiesapplicableunderClause52.32oftheVPP

VPP VictoriaPlanningProvisions AsetofstandardprovisionsonwhichallVictorianplanningschemesarebased

Wind energy facility

Land used to generate electricity by wind force. It includes land use for:a) any turbine, building, or other

structure or thing used in or in connection with the generation of electricity by wind force

b) an anemometer.It does not include turbines principally used to supply electricity for domestic or rural use of the land.

ThisisthedefinitionofawindenergyfacilityintheVPP

uniTs

W:watt A unit of power Thepowergenerationcapacityofawindgeneratorismeasuredinwatts

MW:megawatt

A unit of energy 1megawatt=1000watts

Wh:watthour

A unit of energy The amount of electricity a wind energy facility generates is measured in watt hours

GlOssAry

Policy and planning guidelines for development of wind energy facilities in Victoria | Attachment A 39

Attachment A:Statement of consent

APPLICATION FOR [A PLANNING PERMIT/AN AMENDMENT TO A PLANNING PERMIT] FOR A WIND ENERGY FACILITY

DWELLING LOCATED WITHIN ONE KILOMETRE OF A TURBINE

STATEMENT OF CONSENT

Fulldetailsofthepropertyonwhichthedwellingislocated:

Address: ...............................................................................................................................

TitleParticulars: Volume ............................ Folio .................................

Name(s)andaddress(es)oftheowner(s)ofthedwelling

I/weastheowner/softheexistingdwellingontheaboveproperty:

• declarethatI/weconsenttoanapplicationfor[aplanningpermit/anamendmenttoPlanningPermitnumber[insert] for a wind energy facility to bemadethatincludesaturbineorturbinesinthelocation(s)shownontheattachedplan

• acknowledgethattheproposedturbine(s)willbelocatedwithinonekilometreof the dwelling.

Signed: .................................................................................

Dated:..............................................

Attached:Aplanshowingthedwellingandtheproposedlocationoftheturbine(s)withinonekilometreofthedwellingandthedistancebetweenthedwellingandtheproposedturbine(s).

Thisplanshouldbeabletobereadandreconciledwiththeplansofthewindenergyfacilitythatformpartoftheplanningpermitapplication.Thelocationoftheturbine(s)canbeaspecificsiteoramoregeneralareainwhichtheturbine(s)willbesited.

Owner(s)mustalsosignanddatetheattachedplan.

Policy and planning guidelines for development of wind energy facilities in Victoria | Attachment B40

Attachment B: Example permit conditions to be applied as appropriate

eXAMPle PreAMBleADDRESSOFTHELAND Landgenerallydescribedas:

[insertageneraldescriptionoftheland,forexample,streetaddress,boundedby…]

[inserttitledetailsofland]

[attachplanofallwindfarmland]

WHATWILLTHEPERMITALLOW?

Use[anddevelopment]of the land for a Wind Energy Facility and [specifyrelatedon-siteworks–thisshouldnotincludeoff-sitetransmissioninfrastructure,whichislikelytorequireseparateplanningpermission]

eXAMPle COndiTiOns

DEVELOPMENT PLANS1. Beforethedevelopmentstarts,developmentplansmustbepreparedtothe

satisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.Whenapproved,theplanswillbeendorsedbytheresponsibleauthorityandwillthenformpartofthispermit.Theplansmustbefullydimensioned,drawntoascaleof[specifyscaleifpossible] and threecopiesmustbeprovided.

Theplansmustbegenerallyinaccordancewiththeapplicationplansnumbered[insertnumber], dated [insertdate], preparedby[insertname],butmodifiedtoshow[insertwhicheverofthefollowingparagraphsarerequired]:

a. thelocation,setbackstopropertyboundaries,layoutanddimensionsofallon-sitebuildingsandworksincluding[selectasappropriatefromthefollowinglist,andincludeanyadditionalfeaturesnotinthelistifnecessary–allturbines,accesstracks,undergroundcables,anytemporaryconcretebatchingplant,thetransmissionline,thesubstation,theswitchyard,anydesignatedcarparkingareas,andancillaryworkssuchasconstructioncompounds,firefightinginfrastructureandwatertanks,aswellasoff-siteroadworks]

Policy and planning guidelines for development of wind energy facilities in Victoria | Attachment B41

b. thefollowingadjustmenttothelayout:

i [specifydetailsofadjustmentstositingrequiredtominimiseon-sitephysicalimpacts,forexampledisturbance,tonativevegetationandfaunahabitat.Includeasappropriateanysitingadjustmentsarisingfromfindingsorrecommendationsinanysurveysundertakeninconnectionwiththeapplication(e.g.floraandfaunasurveys)]

ii [specifydetailsofadjustmentstositingrequiredtominimiseoff-sitephysicalimpacts.Includeasappropriateanysitingadjustmentsarisingfromfindingsorrecommendationsinanysurveys]

iii [specifyanyadjustmentrequiredinresponsetoanapprovedculturalheritagemanagementplan]

iv [specifyanyotherrequiredadjustmentse.g.landscaping]

v noturbinesarelocatedcloserthan[insert] metres from [specifylocation,e.g.nearbyremnantwoodland]

c. inrelationtotheturbines:

i detailsofthemodelandcapacityoftheturbinestobeinstalled

ii elevationsanddimensionsoftheturbines,includingoverallmaximumheightofturbinestothetipoftherotorbladewhenvertical,andbasediameteratgroundlevel,includingtowerandconcretebase

iii materialsandfinishesoftheturbines

iv globalpositioningsystemcoordinatesusingWGS84datumforeachturbine

v distanceofeachturbinefrom:

– eachdwelling(ifany)within1kmoftheturbine

– eachadjoiningpropertyboundary

– [insertotherlocationsasappropriate,e.g.nearbyremnantwoodland]

d. inrelationtootherbuildingsandworks:

i. locations,elevationsanddimensionsofthebuildingsandworks

ii. materialsandfinishesofthebuildingsandworks

e. thelocation,size,typeandintensityofanylighting(includingaviationsafetylighting),includinganydirectionalscreeningorbafflingoflighting

f. anydirectionalorbusinessidentificationsignageandanyrequiredsafetysignage

g. engineeringplansshowingallworksrequiredbythispermitin[specifyroadnames]. Theseplansmustincludecrosssections,showingtheirformation,depth,andsurfacelevels.TheplansmustbetothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthorityandpreparedinconsultationwithVicRoads,councilandtheresponsibleauthority.Theworksshownontheplan(s)mustbeundertakenandcompletedpriortothecommencement of use.

h. [specifyanyothermodificationsrequiredtotheapplicationplansarisingfromconsiderationoftheapplication]

i. anystagingofthepermitteddevelopment,includingtheidentificationandtimetablingofanyrequiredpre-constructionworks.

42

2. Despiteanyotherconditionofthispermit,noplanswillbeendorsedbytheresponsibleauthority,andnovariationtotheendorsedplanswillbeapprovedbytheresponsibleauthority,whichallowaturbinetobelocatedwithin1kilometreofanexistingdwelling(measuredfromclosestpointoftheturbinetoclosestpointofthedwelling)unlessevidencehasbeenprovidedtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthoritythattheownerofthedwellinghasconsentedinwritingtothelocationoftheturbine.

3. Exceptaspermittedundercondition5,andsubjecttocondition4,theuseanddevelopmentasshownontheendorsedplansmustnotbealteredormodifiedwithoutthewrittenconsentoftheresponsibleauthority.

4. Theresponsibleauthoritywillnotconsenttoanalterationormodificationoftheuseanddevelopmentasshownontheendorsedplansundercondition3unlesstheresponsibleauthorityissatisfiedthatthealterationormodificationwillnotgiverisetoanadversechangetoassessedlandscape,vegetation,culturalheritage,visualamenity,shadowflicker,noise,fireriskoraviationimpacts.

Anyapplicationfortheconsentoftheresponsibleauthorityforanalterationormodificationtotheendorsedplansundercondition3mustbeaccompaniedbysupportingmaterialaddressingthemattersreferredtointhiscondition,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

MICRO-SITING OF TURBINES5. Subjecttocondition6,micro-sitingofturbines(asdefinedinthiscondition)ispermitted

withtheconsentoftheresponsibleauthority.Anymicro-sitingofturbinesinaccordancewithconditions5and6willberegardedasbeinginaccordancewiththeendorsedplans,andnoamendmenttotheendorsedplanswillberequiredtoreflectthemicro-sitingofturbines.

Forthepurposeofthispermit,micro-sitingofturbinesmeansanalterationtothesitingofaturbinebynotmorethan100metres,providedthattheturbineisnotrelocatedanycloserto:

a. adwellingwithin1kilometreoftheturbine(measuredfromclosestpointoftheturbinetoclosestpointofthedwelling),unlessevidencehasbeenprovidedtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthoritythattheownerofthedwellinghasconsentedinwritingtothelocationoftheturbine;or

b. [specifyanyotherlocationsthatturbinescannotbecloserto,e.g.].

Micro-sitingofturbinesincludesanyconsequentialchangestoaccesstracksandelectricityreticulationlines.

6. Theresponsibleauthoritywillnotconsenttomicro-sitingofturbinesunlesstheresponsibleauthorityissatisfiedthatitwillnotgiverisetoanadversechangetoassessedlandscape,vegetation,culturalheritage,visualamenity,shadowflicker,noise,fireriskoraviationimpactswhencomparedtothesiteshownontheendorsedplans.

Anyapplicationfortheconsentoftheresponsibleauthoritytomicro-sitingaturbineundercondition5mustbeaccompaniedbysupportingmaterialaddressingthemattersreferredtointhiscondition,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

Policy and planning guidelines for development of wind energy facilities in Victoria | Attachment B

43

sPeCiFiCATiOns7. Thewindenergyfacilitymustmeetthefollowingrequirements:

a. thewindenergyfacilitymustcomprisenomorethan[specifynumber]turbines

b. hubheightmustnotexceed[specifynumber] metres in height

c. theoverallmaximumheightoftheturbines(tothetipoftherotorbladewhenvertical)mustnotexceed[specify]metresabovenaturalgroundlevel

d. turbinesmustbemountedonatubulartowerwithaheightofnogreaterthan[specify] metres

e. eachturbineistohavenotmorethanthreerotorblades,witheachbladehavingalength of no greater than [specify]metres

f. thetransformerassociatedwitheachwindgeneratormustbelocatedbesideeachtowerandpadmounted,orenclosedwithinthetowerstructure

g. thecoloursandfinishesofallbuildingsandworks(includingturbines)mustminimisethevisualimpactofthedevelopmentonthesurroundingarea,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority

h. electricityreticulationlinesassociatedwiththewindenergyfacilitymustbeplacedunderground,providedthatclustersofupto[specifynumber]turbinesmaybeconnectedtogetherortothewindfarmsubstationbymeansofabove-groundcabling,withthewrittenconsentoftheresponsibleauthority.

lAndsCAPinG

On-site landscaping plan

8. Beforethedevelopmentstarts,anon-sitelandscapingplanmustbepreparedtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.Theplansmustbefullydimensioned,drawntoa scale of [specifyscaleifpossible]andthreecopiesmustbeprovided.Whenapproved,theplanwillbeendorsedbytheresponsibleauthorityandwillthenformpartofthispermit.

Theon-sitelandscapingplanmustinclude:

a. landscapingtoscreenthesubstation,switchyardandassociatedbuildings(otherthantheturbines)

b. detailsofplantspeciesproposedtobeusedinthelandscaping,includingheightandspreadatmaturity

c. atimetableforimplementationofallon-sitelandscapingworks

d. amaintenanceandmonitoringprogramtoensuretheongoinghealthofthelandscaping.

9. Thelandscapingasshownontheendorsedon-sitelandscapingplanmustbecompletedinaccordancewiththeimplementationtimetable,andmonitoredandmaintained,alltothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

Off-site landscaping program and plan

10.Withinsixmonthsafterthedateofendorsementofthedevelopmentplansundercondition1,aprogramofvoluntaryoff-sitelandscapemitigationworksmustbeprepared,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.


44

Theoff-sitelandscapingmitigationworksprogrammustprovidedetailsofplantingorothertreatmentsthatwillbeusedtoreducethevisualimpactoftheturbinesat:

a. all dwellings within [specify]kilometresofthenearestturbine

b. dwellingsat[clearlyidentifyanyadditionalspecificdwellingstobeincludedintheprogram].

11.Theoperatorofthewindenergyfacilitymustmakeofferstoundertaketheoff-sitelandscapemitigationworksspecifiedintheprogramtotherelevantlandownerswithintwoweeksaftertheresponsibleauthorityconfirmsthatitissatisfiedwiththeprogramundercondition10.

12.Ifoneormoreoftheofferstolandownersreferredtoincondition11isaccepted,anoff-sitelandscapingplanmustbeprepared,inconsultationwiththerelevantlandownersandtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.Theplansmustbefullydimensioned,drawn to a scale of [specifyscaleifpossible]andthreecopiesmustbeprovided.Whenapproved,theoff-sitelandscapingplanwillbeendorsedbytheresponsibleauthority.

Theoff-sitelandscapeplanmustinclude:

a. detailsofthepropertiesonwhichoff-sitelandscapingmitigationworkswillbeundertaken,andthespecificlocationsofthelandscapingworksonthoseproperties

b. detailsofplantspeciesproposedtobeusedinthelandscaping,includingheightandspreadatmaturity

c. atimetableforimplementationofthelandscapingworks(witheachstageofthelandscapingworkstobecompletednotmorethan12monthsafterthecompletionoftherelevantstageofthewindenergyfacilitytowhichthelandscapingworksrelate)

d. amaintenanceandmonitoringprogramtoensuretheongoinghealthofthelandscaping.

13.Thelandscapingasshownontheendorsedoff-sitelandscapeplanmustbecompletedinaccordancewiththeimplementationtimetable,andmonitoredandmaintained,alltothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

nOise

Performance requirement

14.TheoperationofthewindenergyfacilitymustcomplywithNewZealandStandard6808:2010,Acoustics–WindFarmNoise(theStandard)asmodifiedbythisconditiontothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.Thefollowingrequirementsapply:

a. Theoperatormustensurethatatanywindspeed,windfarmsoundlevelsatnoisesensitivelocations(asdefinedintheStandard)donotexceedanoiselimitof40dBLA90(10min),providedthatwherethecircumstancesspecifiedincondition14(b)apply,thenoiselimitof40dBLA90(10min)willbemodifiedasspecifiedincondition14(b).

b. Atthespecifiedassessmentpositionsreferredtoincondition15(b),thenoiselimitof40dBLA90(10min)referredtoincondition14(a)willbemodifiedinthefollowingwaywhenthefollowingcircumstancesexist:

i. wherethebackgroundsoundlevelisgreaterthan35dBLA90(10min),thenoiselimitwillbethebackgroundsoundlevelLA90(10min)plus5dB;


45

ii. wherespecialaudiblecharacteristics,includingtonality,impulsivesoundoramplitudemodulationoccur,thenoiselimitwillbemodifiedbyapplyingapenaltyofupto+6dBL90inaccordancewithsection5.4oftheStandard;

iii. whereahighamenitynoiselimithasbeenfoundtobejustified,asdefinedbysection5.3oftheStandard,forspecificlocationsdeterminedtobehighamenityareasfollowingproceduresoutlinedinclauseC5.3.1oftheStandard.

Noise compliance assessment

15.Forthepurposesofdeterminingcompliance,thefollowingrequirementsapply:

a. AcousticcompliancereportsshallbepreparedbyasuitablyqualifiedandexperiencedindependentacousticengineertodemonstratecompliancewiththenoiselimitsspecifiedintheStandard.

b. NoiseassessmentpositionsmustbelocatedaccordingtotheStandard,andshownonamap.

c. Aninitialacousticcompliancereportmustbesubmittedwithinsixmonthsofthecommissioningofthefirstturbine,andatsixmonthlyintervalsthereafteruntilfulloperation(followingcompletionofconstructionandcommissioning).

d. Afinalcompliancereportmustbesubmittedtotheresponsibleauthorityaftera12monthperiodfollowingfulloperationofthefacility.

e. Compliancereportsshouldbepublicallyavailable.

f. Followingfacilitycommissioning,allcomplaintsshallbemanagedfollowingproceduressetoutinthenoisecomplaintsmanagementplan.

Noise complaints evaluation

16.Forthepurposesofcomplaintsevaluation,thefollowingrequirementsapply:

a. Postinstallationsoundlevelsshall,wherepractical,bemeasuredatthesamelocationswherethebackgroundsoundlevelsweredetermined(GPScoordinatesandamapshowingtheselocationsistobeprovided).

b. Ifanon-compliancewithcondition14isdetected,oranacousticinvestigationisrequiredunderthenoisecomplaintsplanendorsedundercondition17,anindependentassessmentreportmustbepreparedbyasuitablyqualifiedandexperiencedindependentacousticengineerto:

� identifytheweatheroroperationalconditionsassociatedwiththecomplaint/breach

� analysetheuncertaintyandconfidencelevelsinthemonitoring,andthestepstakentoreduceuncertainty

� targetassessmenttoidentifythecauseandremediationactions

� submitaremediationplantothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthorityoutlining,theinvestigationprocess,complainantcommunications,actionsandtimelinestoresolvethecomplaint/breach

Ifthecomplaintisnotresolvedthroughtheprocessesoutlinedabove,theresponsibleauthoritymayrequestanindependentpeerreviewatthecostofthepermitholderandon/offshutdowntestingtoresolveuncertainty.


46

c. Followingtheinitialpost-constructionreportingprocess,additionalindependentassessmentmayberequestedbytheresponsibleauthorityatanytime,wherecomplaintsarereceivedandareconsideredtoreasonablywarrantinvestigation.

d. Ifinvestigationsindicatespecialaudiblecharacteristicsarepotentiallyoccurring,proceduresoutlinedinAppendixBoftheStandardshouldbeapplied.

Noise complaint response plan17.Beforethefirstturbineiscommissioned,thepermitholdermustprepareanoise

complaintinvestigationandresponseplantothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

Theplanshallinclude:

� aprocessofinvestigationtoresolveacomplaint

� arequirementthatallcomplaintswillberecordedinanincidentsregister

� howcontactdetailswillbecommunicatedtothepublic

� atollfreetelephonenumberandemailcontactforcomplaintsandqueries

� detailsoftheappropriatecouncilcontacttelephonenumberandemailaddress(whereavailable)

� atableoutliningcomplaintinformationforeachcomplaintreceived,including:

� thecomplainant’sname

� anyapplicablepropertyreferencenumberifconnectedtoabackgroundtestinglocation

� thecomplainant’saddress

� areceiptnumberforeachcomplaintwhichistobecommunicatedtothecomplainant

� thetime,prevailingconditionsanddescriptionofthecomplainant’sconcernsincludingthepotentialincidenceofspecialaudiblecharacteristics

� theprocessesofinvestigationtoresolvethecomplaint.

Areportincludingareferencemapofcomplaintlocations,andoutliningcomplaints,investigationandremediationactionsistobeprovidedonanannualbasistothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

Theregisterandcomplaintsresponseprocessshallcontinueforthedurationoftheoperationofthewindenergyfacilityandmustbemadeavailabletotheresponsibleauthorityonrequest.

TheownerofthewindenergyfacilitymustimplementandcomplywiththeApprovedNoiseComplaint,InvestigationandResponsePlanforthedurationoftheoperationofthewind energy facility.


47

BLADESHADOWFLICKER

Performance requirement18.Shadowflickerfromthewindenergyfacilitymustnotexceed30hoursperannumatany

dwellingexistingat[insertdateofapplication].

Note:Condition18doesnotapplyiftheoperatorofthewindenergyfacilityhasenteredintoanagreementwithalandownerunderwhichthelandowneracknowledgesandacceptsthatshadowflickermayexceed30hoursperannumatthelandowner’sdwelling.Evidenceoftheagreementmustbeprovidedtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

Blade shadow flicker complaint evaluation and response plan19.Beforethefirstturbineiscommissioned,theoperatorofthewindenergyfacilitymust

prepareadetailedshadowflickercomplaintevaluationandresponseplan,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

Theplanmustincludethefollowingelements:

a. atollfreecomplainttelephoneservice

b. asignonsiteadvisingofthecomplaintstelephonenumber

c. proceduresforassessinganyallegedbreachofcondition18.

20.Theoperatorofthewindenergyfacilitymustimplementandcomplywiththeapprovedshadowflickercomplaintevaluationandresponseplan.

BlAde GlinT

eleCTrOMAGneTiC rAdiATiOn

TELEVISION AND RADIO RECEPTION AND INTERFERENCE21.Beforethecommencementofconstructionofthewindenergyfacility,apre-construction

surveymustbecarriedouttodeterminetelevisionandradioreceptionstrengthintheareawithin5kmofthesiteandinwhichdwellingsarelocatedasat[insertdateofapplication],tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

Thepre-constructionsurveymustincludetestingatselectedlocationstoenabletheaveragetelevisionandradioreceptionstrengthintheareawithin5kmsofthesitetobedetermined.Thespecificlocationsoftestingwillbedeterminedbyanindependenttelevisionandradiomonitoringspecialist,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

22.If,followingcommencementoftheoperationofthewindenergyfacility,acomplaintisreceivedregardingthewindenergyfacilityhavinganadverseeffectontelevisionorradioreceptionatanydwellingwithin5kmofthesitewhichexistedat[insertdateofapplication],apost-constructionsurveymustbecarriedoutatthedwelling.

23.Ifthepost-constructionsurveyestablishesanyincreaseininterferencetoreceptionasaresultofthewindenergyfacility,theoperatorofthewindenergyfacilitymustundertakemeasurestomitigatetheinterferenceandreturntheaffectedreceptiontopre-constructionqualitytothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.


48

ACCess TrACKs24.Accesstrackswithinthesitemustbesitedanddesignedtominimiseimpactsonoverland

flows,soilerosion,thelandscapevalueofthesite,environmentallysensitiveareasand,whereappropriate,thefarmingactivitiesonthesitetothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

25.Accesstracksmustbesurfacedinamannerwhichdoesnotundulycontrastwiththesurroundinglandscape.

LIGHTING INCLUDING AVIATION OBSTACLE LIGHTING26.Externallightingofinfrastructureassociatedwiththewindenergyfacilityisnotpermitted

otherthan:

a. low-level,low-intensitysecuritylighting

b. aviationobstaclelightinginaccordancewithcondition24

c. lightingnecessaryinthecaseofanemergencyorforoperationalcall-outsatreasonabletimes

eachofwhichmustbetothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

27.Whererequired,aviationobstaclelightingmustmeetthefollowingrequirements:

a. foreachlitturbine,thelightingmustconsistofapairoflightsmountedabovethenacellesothatatleastonelightisvisiblefromanaircraftapproachingfromanydirection

b. eachlightmustbeared,mediumintensity,flashinglightasrequiredbyCASA

c. eachlightmustbeshieldedsoastorestricttheverticalspreadoflighttonotmorethan3.0degreesandlightspreadbelowthehorizontaltonotmorethan1.0degree

d. alllightsmustflashinunison

e. thedurationofthelightflashmustbetheminimumperiodrecommendedbyCASAandthedurationoftheperiodbetweentheflashesmustbethemaximumperiodrecommendedbyCASA

f. thelightsaretoswitchonandoffduringambientlightingconditionsasrecommendedbyCASA.

28.Beforethewindenergyfacilityiscommissioned,alightingmaintenanceplanmustbepreparedtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.Whenapproved,thelightingmaintenanceplanwillbeendorsedbytheresponsibleauthorityandwillthenformpartofthispermit.Theoperatorofthewindenergyfacilitymustimplementandcomplywiththeendorsedlightingmaintenanceplan.

AVIATION SAFETY CLEARANCES29.Within30daysoftheendorsementofplansundercondition1,copiesofthe

developmentplansendorsedundercondition1mustbeprovidedtothefollowingentities,toenabledetailsofthewindenergyfacilitytobeshownonaeronauticalchartsofthearea:

a. CASA

b. theDepartmentofDefence(RAAFAeronauticalInformationService)


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c. AirservicesAustralia

d. anyaerodromeoperatorwithin15kmoftheoutsidepropertyboundariesofthesite

e. theAerialAgricultureAssociationofAustralia

f. anyorganisationresponsibleforprovidingairambulanceservicesinthearea.

TrAFFiC MAnAGeMenT

Traffic management plan

30.Atleastsixweeksbeforethedevelopmentstarts,atrafficmanagementplanmustbeendorsedbytheresponsibleauthority.ThetrafficmanagementplanistobepreparedinconsultationwithVicRoadsand[specify]Councilinitscapacityasroadauthorityunderthe Road Management Act 2004forlocalpublicroadsinthevicinityofthewindenergyfacility.Thetrafficmanagementplanmustbetothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.Whenapproved,thetrafficmanagementplanwillbeendorsedbytheresponsibleauthority.Thetrafficmanagementplanmustbecompliedwith,unlessvariedbythewrittenconsentoftheresponsibleauthority.

Thetrafficmanagementplanmustinclude:

a. thenominatedroutefortrafficaccessinganddepartingthesite

b. anexistingconditionssurveyofpublicroadsthatmaybeusedinconnectionwiththewindenergyfacility(foraccess,pre-constructionorconstructionpurposes),includingdetailsofthesuitability,design,conditionandconstructionstandardoftherelevantpublicroads

c. thedesignationofallvehicleaccesspointstothesitefromsurroundingroads.Vehicleaccesspointsmustbedesignedandlocatedtoensuresafesightdistances,turningmovements,andavoidpotentialthroughtrafficconflicts

d. thedesignationofappropriatepre-construction,constructionandtransportvehicleroutes to and from the site

e. engineeringplansdemonstratingwhether,andifsohow,truckmovementstoandfromthesitecanbeaccommodatedonsealedroadwaysandturnedwithoutencroaching onto the incorrect side of the road

f. recommendationsregardingtheneedforroadandintersectionupgradestoaccommodateanyadditionaltrafficorsiteaccessrequirements(whethertemporaryorongoing).Whereupgradesarerequired,thetrafficmanagementplanmustinclude:

i. detailedengineeringplansshowingtherequiredworks

ii. thetimingofwhentheworksaretobeundertaken

g. [insertanyspecificrequirementsregardingroadupgradeworksthatareidentifiedduringtheapplicationprocess]

h. aprogramofregularinspectionstobecarriedoutduringtheconstructionofthewindenergyfacilitytoidentifymaintenanceworksnecessaryasaresultofconstructiontraffic


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i. thedesignationofoperatinghoursandspeedlimitsfortrucksonroutesaccessingthesitewhich:

i. avoidschoolbusroutesandschoolbustimeswhererelevant

ii. provideforresidentsafety

j. measurestobetakentomanagetrafficimpactsassociatedwiththeongoingoperationofthewindenergyfacilityonthetrafficvolumesandflowsonsurroundingroads

k. thenumberofanticipatedvehiclemovementsandhoursoftravel

l. [insertanyspecificrequirementsregardingtrafficmanagementmeasuresthatareidentifiedduringtheapplicationprocess]

m. aprogramtorehabilitateexistingpublicroadstotheconditionidentifiedbythesurveysrequiredundercondition30babove:

i. attheconclusionoftheconstructionofthewindenergyfacility

ii. every[five]yearsduringtheoperationofthewindenergyfacility(ifrequired).

Traffic management and road upgrade and maintenance works

31.Thetrafficmanagementandroadupgradeandmaintenanceworksidentifiedintheendorsedtrafficmanagementplanmustbecarriedoutinaccordancewiththeendorsedtrafficmanagementplantothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

Uponcompletionofconstructionactivitiesthepermitholdermustreinstateanydamagetolocalroadscausedbytrucktraffic,associatedwithconstructionrelatedtotheprojecttothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthorityandatnocosttocouncil.

Priortothecommencementofconstruction,amaintenancebond/bankguaranteetothevalueof5percentofthecostoftheexternalworksshallbesubmittedtothe[council]tobeheldforaperiodof12monthsfromthedateofpracticalcompletionoftheworks.Priortothereleaseofthebond/bankguaranteethepermitholdermustprovideanindependentreportthatcertifiesthattheroadsareinasatisfactorycondition.(Donotuseifconditions49and50areused.)

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

General requirement for an environmental management plan

32.Beforethedevelopmentstarts,anenvironmentalmanagementplanmustbeprepared,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.Whenapproved,theenvironmentalmanagementplanwillbeendorsedbytheresponsibleauthorityandwillthenformpartofthispermit.

Theenvironmentalmanagementplan:

a. mustbegenerallyinaccordancewith[specifynameofplansubmittedwithapplication]

b. mustbepreparedinconsultationwiththeagenciesspecifiedinconditions31to38oranyotheragencyasdirectedbytheresponsibleauthority

c. maybepreparedinsectionsorstages

d. mustbeinaccordancewithallapplicableEPArequirements

e. mustmeettherequirementsofconditions34to43below.


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33.Theuseanddevelopmentmustbecarriedoutinaccordancewiththeendorsedenvironmentalmanagementplan,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

Construction and work site management plan

34.Theenvironmentalmanagementplanmustincludeaconstructionandworksitemanagementplan.

Theconstructionandworksitemanagementplanmustinclude:

a. theidentificationoffuels,otherhazardousmaterialsandallotherpotentialcontaminantsstoredorusedonsiteduringtheconstructionphaseofthewindenergyfacility,andappropriatestorage,constructionandoperationalmethodstocontrolanyidentifiedcontaminationrisks

b. proceduresformanagingpotentialspillsandleaksandpollutionincidents,includingincorporationofappropriatepollutioncontrolmeasuresoutlinedinEPAPublication480EnvironmentalGuidelinesforMajorConstructionSites

c. procedurestosuppressdustemissionsfromconstruction-relatedactivities.Appropriatemeasuresmayincludewatersprayingofroadsandstockpiles,stabilisingsurfaces,temporaryscreeningandwindfences,modifyingconstructionactivitiesduringperiodsofheightenedwindsandrevegetatingexposedareasassoonaspracticable

d. proceduresformanagingnoiseemissionsfromconstruction-relatedactivities

e. criteriaforthesitingofanytemporaryconcretebatchingplantassociatedwiththedevelopmentofthewindenergyfacilityandtheprocedureforitsremovalandreinstatementofthesiteonceitsusefinishes.TheestablishmentandoperationofanytemporaryconcretebatchingplantmustbedesignedandoperatedinaccordancewithEPAPublication628EnvironmentalGuidelinesfortheConcreteBatchingIndustry

f. appropriatesanitaryfacilitiestobeprovidedforconstructionandmaintenancestaff,whichmustbedesignedandoperatedinaccordancewithEPAPublication891.2Code of Practice – Onsite wastewater management(December2008)

g. theidentificationofwastere-use,recyclinganddisposalprocedures

h. atimetable,wherepracticable,fortheconstructionofturbinebases,accesstracksandpowercablingduringwarmermonths,tominimiseimpactsonephemeralwetlands,localfaunaandsedimentmobilisation

i. procedurestoensurethatconstructionvehiclesandequipmentusedesignatedtracksandworksareastoavoidimpactsonnativevegetation

j. proceduresforcoveringtrenchesandholesatnight,andfillingtrenchesassoonaspracticalafterexcavation,toprotectnativefauna

k. theremovalofworks,buildingsandstagingareasoncompletionoftheconstructionphaseoftheproject.

Sediment, erosion and water quality management plan

35.Theenvironmentalmanagementplanmustincludeasediment,erosionandwaterqualitymanagementplanwhichmustbepreparedinconsultationwiththe[specifyname] Catchment Management Authority.


52

Thesediment,erosionandwaterqualitymanagementplanmustinclude:

a. identificationofallconstructionandoperationalprocessesthatcouldpotentiallyleadtowatercontamination

b. procedurestoensurethatsiltfrombatters,cut-offdrains,tabledrainsandroadworksisretainedonthesiteduringandafterconstructionandreplacedassoonaspossible.Tothisend:

� alllanddisturbancesmustbeconfinedtoaminimumpracticalworkingarea

� soiltoberemovedmustbestockpiledandseparatesoilhorizonsmustberetainedinseparatestockpilesandnotmixed,andsoilmustbereplacedassoonaspossibleinsequence

� stockpilesmustbelocatedawayfromdrainagelines

c. theinstallationofgeo-textilesiltfences(withsedimentationbasinswhereappropriate)onalldrainagelinesfromthesitewhicharelikelytoreceiverun-offfromdisturbedareas

d. procedurestoensurethatsteepbattersaretreatedinaccordancewithEPAPublication275ConstructionTechniquesforSedimentPollutionControl

e. proceduresforwastewaterdischargemanagement

f. aprocessforoverlandflowmanagementtopreventtheconcentrationanddiversionofwatersontosteeporerosionproneslopes

g. pollutionmanagementmeasuresforstoredandstockpiledmaterialsincludingwastematerials,litter,contaminatedrun-offandanyotherpotentialsourceofpollutiontoground or surface waters

h. incorporationofappropriatepollutioncontrolmeasuresoutlinedinEPAPublication480EnvironmentalGuidelinesforMajorConstructionSites

i. anagreedprogramandappropriatecapacityforannualinspectionandregularmaintenance of any on-site wastewater management system

j. sitingofanyconcretebatchingplantandanyon-sitewastewaterdisposaltreatmentfieldsatleast100metresfromanywatercourse

k. aprogramofinspectionandremediationoflocalisederosionwithinaspecifiedresponsetime.

Hydrocarbon and hazardous substances plan36.Theenvironmentalmanagementplanmustincludeahydrocarbonandhazardous

substancesplan.

Thehydrocarbonandhazardoussubstancesplanmustinclude:

a. proceduresforanyon-site,permanentpost-constructionstorageoffuels,lubricants,wasteoilorotherhazardoussubstancesorpotentialcontaminantstobeinbundedareas

b. contingencymeasurestoensurethatanychemicaloroilspillsarecontainedon-siteandcleanedupinaccordancewithEPArequirements.


53

Wildfire prevention and emergency response plan37.Theenvironmentalmanagementplanmustincludeawildfirepreventionandemergency

responseplanpreparedinconsultationwithandtothesatisfactionoftheCFAandDELWP.

Thewildfirepreventionandemergencyresponseplanmustinclude:

a. criteriafortheprovisionofstaticwatersupplytankssolelyforfirefightingpurposes,includingminimumcapacities,appropriateconnectionsandsignage

b. proceduresforvegetationmanagement,fuelcontrolandtheprovisionoffirefightingequipmentduringdeclaredfiredangerperiods

c. minimumstandardsforaccessroadsandtrackstoallowaccessforfirefightingvehicles,includingcriteriaforaccesstostaticwatersupplytanksforfirefightingvehicles

d. arequirementthat,withinthreemonthsafterthecommencementoftheoperationofthewindenergyfacility,theoperatorofthewindenergyfacilityfacilitatesafamiliarisationvisittothesiteandexplanationofemergencyservicesproceduresfor:

i. theCFA(includingheadquarterslevel,theCFARegionalOfficeandlocal[insertname]volunteerbrigade)

ii. RuralAmbulanceVictoria

iii. [specifyCouncilname]’sMunicipalEmergencyManagementCommittee

iv. VictoriaPolice

e. subsequentfamiliarisationsessionsfornewpersonneloftheorganisationsreferredtoincondition34donaregularbasisasrequired

f. ifrequested,trainingofpersonneloftheorganisationsreferredtoincondition34dinrelationtosuppressionofwindenergyfacilityfires.

Blasting management plan (only relevant where blasting is proposed)

38.Theenvironmentalmanagementplanmustincludeablastingmanagementplan.

Theblastingmanagementplanmustinclude:

a. nameandqualificationofthepersonresponsibleforblasting

b. adescriptionofthelocationofwhereexplosiveswillbeused

c. aplanshowingthelocationofeverylicensedboreonanypropertywithaboundarywithin1kmofthelocationoftheblasting

d. identificationandassessmentofanypotentiallysensitivesitewithin1kmofthelocationoftheblasting,includingtheprocedureforpre-blastandpost-blastqualitativemeasurementormonitoringoftheeffectsoftheblastingonsuchsites

e. theprocedureforsiteclearanceandpost-blastre-occupation

f. theprocedureforthestorageandhandlingofexplosives

g. arequirementthatblastingonlycanoccurafteratleast48hourspriorwrittennotificationoftheintentiontoundertakeblastinghasbeengiventotheoccupantsofthepropertieswhicharelocatedinwholeorinpartwithin1kmofthelocationoftheproposedblasting

h. arequirementthatblastingonlybeundertakenbetweenthehoursof8amand4pm.


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Vegetation management plan

39.TheenvironmentalmanagementplanmustincludeavegetationmanagementplantobepreparedinconsultationwithDELWP.

Thevegetationmanagementplanmustinclude:

a. protocolssothatnetgainswillbeundertakenifnativevegetationdisturbanceandremovalcannotbeavoidedduringtheconstruction,operationanddecommissioningstages of the wind energy facility

b. proceduresfortherehabilitationofconstructionzoneswithappropriatepasturespecies.

Biosecurity management plan

40.TheenvironmentalmanagementplanmustincludeabiosecuritymanagementplantobepreparedinconsultationwithandtothesatisfactionofDELWPandDEDJTR.

Thebiosecuritymanagementplanmustaddresstherisksofentryontothesite,establishmentonthesiteorspreadbeyondthesiteofanimalorplantpestsanddisease,orinvasiveplantandanimalspecies,frompeople,earthmovingequipmentandassociatedmachinery,vehicles,materialsandproductsincluding(butnotlimitedto)soil,sand,gravel,rock,water,fertiliser,mulch,seed,plants,fodderandanimals(referredtointhisconditionasbiosecurityrisks).

Thebiosecuritymanagementplanmustinclude:

a. procedurestopreventbiosecurityrisks,whichmayinclude(butarenotlimitedto):

i. thecleaningofallplantandequipmentbeforetransportontoandoffthesiteand

ii. theuseofmaterial/productsonsitewhicharefreeofinvasiveplantsandanimals

b. aprotocolforeffectiveidentificationofbiosecurityrisks,earlyinterventiontomanagebiosecurityrisks,ongoingmonitoringofbiosecurityrisks,trace-backs,andintegratedcontrolmeasureswhenentry,establishmentorspreadofspecificrisktargetsisidentified

c. arequirementtocomplywithapprovedgovernmentorindustrystandardsandproceduresfortheidentification,preventionandmanagementofbiosecurityrisksthatapplyfromtimetotime,whichinclude(butarenotnecessarilylimitedto):

i. theDEDJTR’sInvasive Plant and Animal Management Policy Framework(undated)

ii. theDEDJTR’sBiosecurity Guidelines for Movement of Equipment Contractors Between Farms(NoteNumber:AG1171publishedinJanuary2005andupdatedinJuly2009;and

iii. theDEDJTR’srecommendedstandardsandpracticesformanagingviticulturebiosecurityandplantbiosecurityrisks.

Note:Thesestandardsareavailableatwww.depi.vic.gov.au.

environmental management plan training program

41.Theenvironmentalmanagementplanmustincludeatrainingprogramforconstructionworkersandpermanentemployeesorcontractorsatthewindenergyfacilitysite,includingasiteinductionprogramrelatingtotherangeofissuesaddressedbytheenvironmentalmanagementplan.


http://www.depi.vic.gov.au

55

Environmental management plan reporting program

42.Theenvironmentalmanagementplanmustincludeaprogramforreportingenvironmentalincidents,including:

a. aregisterofenvironmentalincidents,non-conformancesandcomplaints,togetherwithcorrectiveactionstakeninresponsetosuchincidents,non-conformancesorcomplaints

b. identificationofthepersontowhomreportsofenvironmentalincidents,non-conformancesandcomplaintsshouldbemade.

Implementation timetable

43.Theenvironmentalmanagementplanmustincludeatimetableforimplementationofallprogramsandworksreferredtoinconditions34to42above.

Review of the environmental management plan

44.Theenvironmentalmanagementplanmustbereviewedandifnecessaryamendedinconsultationwiththeresponsibleauthorityandotherauthoritiesasdirectedbytheresponsibleauthorityevery[five]years,toreflectoperationalexperienceandchangesinenvironmentalmanagementstandardsandtechniques.

Theamendedenvironmentalmanagementplanmustbesubmittedtotheresponsibleauthorityforre-endorsement.Oncere-endorsed,theamendedenvironmentalmanagementplanwilltaketheplaceoftheearlierenvironmentalmanagementplanandwillformpartofthispermit.

BATS AND AVIFAUNA MANAGEMENT PLAN45.Beforethedevelopmentstarts,aBatandAvifaunaManagementPlan(BAMPlan)must

bepreparedinconsultationwithDELWPtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.Whenapprovedtheplanwillbeendorsedbytheresponsibleauthorityandwillthenformpartofthepermit.

TheBAMPlanmustinclude:

a. astatementoftheobjectivesandoverallstrategyformanagingandmitigatinganysignificantbirdandbatstrikearisingfromthewindenergyfacilityoperations

b. amonitoringprogram[ofatleasttwoyearsduration/onanongoingbasis]that:

i. commencesonthecommissioningofthelastturbineofthefirststageoftheuseanddevelopmentapprovedbythispermitorsuchothertimeapprovedbytheresponsibleauthority

ii. requiressurveystobeundertakenduringbreedingandmigratoryseasonstoascertain:

� [insertdetailsofanyspecificspeciestobemonitored]

� thespecies,number,ageandsex(ifpossible)anddateofanybirdorbatstrike

� thenumberandspeciesofbirdsandbatsstruckatlitversusunlitturbines

� anyseasonalandyearlyvariationinthenumberofbirdandbatstrikes


56

� whetherfurtherdetailedinvestigationsofanypotentialimpactsonbirdsandbatsarewarranted.AnyfurtherdetailedinvestigationsrequiredaretobeundertakeninconsultationwithDELWPandtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority

c. proceduresforthereportingofanybirdandbatstrikestotheresponsibleauthorityandtoDELWPwithinsevendaysofbecomingawareofanystrike,identifyingwherepossiblewhetherthestrikewasatalitorunlitturbine

d. informationontheefficacyofsearchesforcarcassesofbirdsandbats,and,wherepracticable,informationontherateofremovalofcarcasesbyscavengers,sothatcorrectionfactorscanbedeterminedtoenablecalculationsofthetotalnumberofmortalities

e. proceduresfortheregularremovalofcarcasseslikelytoattractraptorstoareasnearturbines

f. proceduresforperiodicreporting,withinagreedtimeframes,ofthefindingsofthemonitoringtotheresponsibleauthority,DELWPandthelocalcommunity

g. recommendationsinrelationtoamortalityrateforspecifiedspecieswhichwouldtriggertherequirementforresponsivemitigationmeasurestobeundertakenbytheoperatorofthewindenergyfacility,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthorityandDELWP

h. proceduresfordevelopingmeasures,inconsultationwiththeresponsibleauthorityandDELWP,tooffsetanyimpactsdetectedthroughthemonitoringprogram,including:

i. turbineoperationmanagement

ii. on-siteoroff-sitehabitatenhancement(includingmanagementorimprovementofhabitatorbreedingsites).

46.Followingthecompletionofthemonitoringprogramreferredtoincondition43,areportmustbesubmittedtotheresponsibleauthorityandDELWPsettingoutthefindingsoftheprogramtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.Afterconsiderationofthisreport,theresponsibleauthoritymaydirectthatfurtherinvestigationofpotentialoractualimpactsonbirdsandbatsistobeundertaken,inwhichcase:

a. theextentanddetailsofthefurtherinvestigationmustbetothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthorityandDELWP

b. theinvestigationmustbecarriedouttothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthorityandDELWP.

47.TheuseanddevelopmentofthewindenergyfacilitymustbecarriedoutinaccordancewiththeendorsedBAMmanagementplantothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

reFerrAl AuTHOriTy COndiTiOns

48.[Includeanyadditionalconditionsrequiredbyreferralauthorities.Ensurethatotherconditionsdonotrepeat,andareconsistentwith,conditionsrequiredbyareferralauthority.]


57

seCuriTy dePOsiT/BOnd (only relevant where deposit/bond is applied)

49.Beforethedevelopmentstarts,theoperatorofthewindenergyfacilitymustprovideoneormoresecuritydepositsorbondstosecure:

a. theperformanceofanyworksrequiredunderthispermit

b. themaintenanceofthoseworksforaperiodof12monthsaftertheworksarecompleted.

50.Thenatureofthesecuritydeposit(s)orbond(s),andthetermsonwhichtheyareprovided,mustbetothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority,and:

a. theamountofthesecuritydeposit(s)orbond(s)mustbecalculatedbyreferencetothevalueoftheworkstowhichthesecuritydepositorbondrelates

b. thesecuritydeposit(s)orbond(s):

i. mustremaininplaceforaperiodofatleast12monthsafterthecompletionoftherelevantworkstowhichthesecuritydepositorbondrelates

ii. mayonlybeappliedtoanyworkstowhichthesecuritydepositorbondrelatesthatarenotcompletedinaccordancewiththerequirementsofthispermit

iii. willbereleasedatthecompletionofthemaintenanceperiodreferredtoincondition49b.

siTe seCuriTy

51.Allaccesspointstothesiteandtoindividualturbinesmustbelockedwhennotinuseandmadeinaccessibletothegeneralpublic,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

52.Allelectricalequipment,sparepartsandotherequipmentandmaterialsassociatedwiththewindenergyfacilitymustbelocatedinscreened,lockedstorageareasthatareinaccessibletothepublic,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

53.Publicsafetywarningsignsmustbelocatedonalltowers,tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

deCOMMissiOninG

54.Withinsixmonthsaftertheconstructionofthewindenergyfacilityiscompleted,theoperatorofthewindenergyfacilityandtheownersofthepropertieswhichmakeupthesitemustenterintoanagreementwiththeresponsibleauthorityundersection173ofthe Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Theagreementmustrequiretheoperatorofthewindenergyfacilitytodothefollowingwhereanyorallturbineshavepermanentlyceasedtogenerateelectricity:

a. notifytheresponsibleauthorityinwritingoftheturbine(s)ceasingoperation.Suchnotificationmustbegivennolaterthantwomonthsaftertheturbine(s)ceaseoperation


58

b. undertakethefollowingtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthoritywithinsuchtimeframeasmaybespecifiedbytheresponsibleauthority:

i. removeallabovegroundnon-operationalequipment

ii. removeandcleanupanyresidualcontamination

iii. rehabilitateallstorageareas,constructionareas,accesstracksandotherareasaffectedbythedecommissioningoftheturbine(s),ifthoseareasarenototherwise useful to the on-going use or decommissioning of the wind energy facility

iv. submitadecommissioningtrafficmanagementplantotheresponsibleauthorityand,whenapprovedbytheresponsibleauthority,implementthatplan

v. submitapost-decommissioningrevegetationmanagementplan,includingatimetableofworks,totheresponsibleauthorityand,whenapprovedbytheresponsibleauthority,implementthatplan.

55.ApplicationmustbemadetotheRegistrarofTitlestoregisterthesection173agreementonthetitletothelandundersection181oftheActwithinonemonthaftertheagreement is executed.

56.Theoperatorofthewindenergyfacilitymustpaythereasonablecostsofthepreparation,execution,registrationandenforcementofthesection173agreement.

sTAGinG

57.Theuseanddevelopmentauthorisedbythispermitmaybecompletedinstagesasshownontheendorseddevelopmentplans.Thecorrespondingobligationsarisingunderthispermitmaybesimilarlycompletedinstages,excepttheobligationtoprepareandsubmitthedevelopmentplansundercondition1.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIVE WORKS

58.Forthepurposesofthispermit,thecarryingoutofpreliminaryinvestigativeworks,includinggeotechnicalinvestigations,forthepurposesofgatheringdataormakingotherassessmentsnecessaryordesirableinordertopreparethedevelopmentplansorotherplansspecifiedinthispermit,isnotconsideredtobecommencementofthedevelopment.

eXPiry

59.Thispermitwillexpireifoneofthefollowingcircumstancesapplies:

a. thedevelopmentisnotstartedwithinthreeyearsofthedateofthispermit

b. thedevelopmentisnotcompletedwithinsixyearsofthedateofthispermit.

Dateissued:..........................................................................

SignatureofResponsibleAuthority: ..............................................................................................


59 Policy and planning guidelines for development of wind energy facilities in Victoria | Attachment B

Notes: 1. Anyoff-siteworksrequiredunderthispermit,oranynativevegetationremovalrequired

inordertoimplementtheuseanddevelopmentallowedunderthispermit,mayrequireseparateplanningpermission.

2. ReferencesinthispermittoCASAarereferencestotheCivilAviationSafetyAuthority.

3. ReferencesinthispermittoEPAarereferencestotheEnvironmentProtectionAuthority.

4. ReferencesinthispermittoCFAarereferencestotheCountryFireAuthority.

5. ReferencesinthispermittoDELWParereferencestotheDepartmentofEnvironment,Land,WaterandPlanning.

6. ReferencesinthispermittoDEDJTRarereferencestotheDepartmentofEconomicDevelopment,Jobs,TransportandResources.

iMPOrTAnT inFOrMATiOn ABOuT THis nOTiCe

WHAT HAS BEEN DECIDED?The responsible authority has decided to grant a permit. The permit has not been issued.

This notice sets out what the permit will allow and what conditions the permit will be subject to if issued.

WHAT ABOUT APPEALS?

For the Applicant• Thepersonwhoappliedforthepermitmayapplyforreviewofanyconditioninthe

noticeofdecisiontograntapermit.Theapplicationforreviewmustbelodgedwithin60daysofthegivingofthisnotice.

For an Objector• Anobjectormayapplyforreviewofthedecisionoftheresponsibleauthoritytogrant

apermit.Theapplicationforreviewmustbelodgedwithin21daysofthegivingofthisnotice.

• Ifthereisnoapplicationforreview,apermitwillbeissuedafter21daysofthegivingofthisnotice.

For all applications for review• AnapplicationforreviewislodgedwiththeVictorianCivilandAdministrativeTribunal.

• AnapplicationforreviewmustbemadeontheApplicationforReviewformwhichcanbeobtainedfromtheVictorianCivilandAdministrativeTribunal,andbeaccompaniedbytheapplicablefee.

• Anapplicationforreviewmuststatethegroundsuponwhichitisbased.

• Anapplicationforreviewmustalsobeservedontheresponsibleauthority.

• Noticeoftheapplicationforreviewmustbegiveninwritingtoallotherpartiestothereviewassoonaspracticableafteranapplicationforreviewislodged.Anobjectorwhoappliesforareviewmustgivenoticetothepersonwhoappliedforthepermit.

An applicant who applies for review must give notice to all objectors.• Detailsaboutapplicationsforreviewandthefeespayablecanbeobtainedfromthe

VictorianCivilandAdministrativeTribunal.


AuthorisedandpublishedbyVictorianGovernment DepartmentofEnvironment,Land,Water&Planning 1SpringStreet,Melbourne3000

PublishedJune2015,revisedNovember2015,revisedJanuary2016 ISBN978-1-921607-21-9

©StateofVictoria,DepartmentofEnvironment,Land,Water&Planning2015.

Theseguidelinesareanupdateofeditionspublishedin2003bySustainableEnergyAuthorityVictoria,andin2009,2011,AprilandJuly2012,andApril2015byStateGovernmentdepartments.Exceptforlogos,emblems,trademarks,artworkandphotographythisdocumentismadeavailableunderthetermsoftheCreativeCommonsAttribution3.0Australialicence.

ThisdocumentisalsoavailableinaccessibleWordformatatwww.delwp.vic.gov.au/planning

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