Yambla Range Wind Farm

The proposal is in its earliest phase — the pre-feasibility stage — which means we’re assessing whether the project is viable.

We are committed to listening to local voices before the concept progresses further. If we do find that a project is technically viable, we will seek input from the community throughout the planning process.

We understand that the concept of a wind farm at Yambla Range has raised important questions within the community.

We are committed to understanding the views in the local area before the concept progresses further. Our broader community consultation effort will commence if we deem the project to be technically viable.

Under the EP&A Act, this development may be declared State Significant Development (SSD). This declaration may be made by a State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) or by the Minister for Planning (the Minister) and is generally based on the scale, nature, location, and strategic importance of the development to the State.

All SSD projects require development consent from either the Independent Planning Commission or the Minister before they may proceed. Prior to determination, they are subject to a comprehensive assessment with extensive community participation. The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) co-ordinates this assessment. All SSD projects are determined on their merits, having regard to their economic, environmental, and social impacts and the principles of ecologically sustainable development.

All current State Significant Applications can be found on the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s Major Projects Portal, which provides a platform to gain an insight into the status of the assessment process, access all relevant assessment materials for the Development Applications, and contact details for the Department’s assessment officer.

If we deem the project to be technically feasible, the assessment materials for the Yambla Range Wind Farm, including the Scoping Report and the Project’s Planning Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements, would be accessible on the Major Projects Portal.

Yambla Range Wind Farm would have the potential to supply clean energy to around 107,000 New South Wales homes and avoid approximately 390,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

The Australian energy landscape is transitioning to a greater mix of low-emission renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. Factors driving this transition include:

• Demand for more reliable energy supply.

• Consumer demand for lower energy bills.

• State and federal government commitments to reduce carbon emissions.

• Scheduled closure of fossil-fuel generation sources such as coal.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has identified that storage capacity needs to triple within the National Energy Market to meet electricity demands, while the New South Wales Electricity Roadmap forecasts an additional 2.3 GW of energy storage is needed to maintain system security and reliability.

The proposed Yambla Range Wind Farm would be expected to operate for up to 40 years if it proceeds. As a signatory to the Clean Energy Council’s Best Practice Charter, we’re committed to working respectfully with wind farm communities, during wind farm development, construction, operation, and end of life decommissioning and takes community concerns regarding decommissioning seriously.

Decommissioning means that the wind turbines, site office and any other ancillary infrastructure is removed from the site, and roads and foundation pads are covered and revegetated, allowing land to be returned to its former use. Typically, landowner contracts and Development Applications contain definite clauses setting out the expectations around rehabilitating the site.

Read more on the Clean Energy Council’s Decommissioning guidelines here.