The Victoria state government squeezed in a final, fourth wind project approval in 2025, approving two turbines in one council area and another three in its neighbour at the small 36 megawatt (MW) Swansons Lane proposal.
The state’s planning department also allowed the developer RE Future to use the biggest version proffered in its application: a 7.2 megawatt (MW) Vestas V172 model which stands 252m high at its tip.
Along with similar model turbines to be built at the Palmer wind farm in South Australia, they will rank as the most powerful to be installed in Australia to date.
The project is located south-west of the Terang battery, a 100 MW, two hour battery currently being built, and just south of the proposed South-West renewable energy zone.
Just three other wind projects made it through Victoria’s planning process in 2025 but only two were big enough to make a dent in the state’s urgent energy needs.
The 600 MW Kentbruck project was approved just days before the RE Future proposal, and the 400 MW Mt Fyans project which won its approval in August. The 40 MW Brewster wind project got its nod in February, which is also being built by RE Future.
The state has approved eight wind projects, of which four were bigger than 100 MW, since 2019.
The scale of the challenge to build such a small project may explain why so few wind projects are getting through the process.
RE Future lodged its application in February last year to install five turbines with tip heights between 230m and 252m, and generating between 6 MW and 7MW of electricity each.
The state received 116 objections in the period to November 25.
The range of objections included the sheer size of the proposed turbines, limited or reactive community engagement, and the fact they’re outside the proposed REZ.
Opponents also cited the possible consequences for a range of bird and bat life, risks around bushfire, aviation safety, and electromagnetic interference, and the perceived impact on neighbouring property values.
Responses from the developer noted that farming will continue around the turbines, so land won’t be taken out of production, and community consultation included information sessions, face-to-face meetings, mailouts, newsletter updates and briefings with councils.
These concerns came alongside others from the Corangamite and Moyne shire councils and a note from Seagas pointing out a high pressure gas pipeline in the area.
The developer referred the Swansons Lane project for federal environmental oversight under the EPBC Act in July 2024, and was deemed a controlled action five months later.
The Moyne and Corangamite Shires published a joint press release expressing their disappointment in the project securing approval.
“The developer has made virtually no effort to engage with all affected landowners throughout the application process, showing little respect for our community,” claimed Cr Kate Makin, the Corangamite Shire Mayor.
“We can’t understand how this project was approved when it sits well outside the State Government’s own proposed Renewable Energy Zones and fails to meet so many of the proposed guidelines in the draft Victorian Transmission Plan.”
Makin said that the shire’s councillors will consider the application at their next meeting, set to be held later this month, and consider making a formal submission against the approval permit.
“I encourage affected community members to make a submission before the deadline on Monday 2 February 2026,” she said.
Moyne Shire Mayor, Cr Jordan Lockett, echoed Makin’s concerns, claiming that the lack of engagement has meant that very little information has been provided regarding the potential of community and economic benefits from the proposed wind farm.
“What we did hear were objections to this project from the community – over 100 submissions were lodged with the Department of Transport and Planning against the application,” said Lockett.
“We maintain that having a wind farm less than 5km from Garvoc township is simply too close, it is not the right location, especially being prime agricultural land.”
Note: Additional reporting by Joshua S. Hill.
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