Planning and Environment
Planning and Environment
The project demonstrates how potential impacts to the natural environment and surrounding community have been carefully avoided, minimised and managed through a comprehensive planning and assessment process. The project has undergone rigorous evaluation in accordance with all relevant environmental and planning legislation, regulations, guidelines, standards and policies.
As a Wind Energy Facility, the project was subject to a high level of environmental assessment under Tasmania’s Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA). In addition, the project was assessed as a controlled action under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), which protects matters of national environmental significance.
Environmental assessments were undertaken by the Environment Protection Authority Tasmania (EPA) and the Australian Government under a bilateral assessment process. These processes included detailed technical studies, consultation and public exhibition.
Planning approvals have now been granted by both the Central Highlands Council under the State planning framework and the Australian Government under the EPBC Act in 2025, subject to conditions. These approvals confirm that the project can be developed in a manner that appropriately manages environmental and social impacts.
The project will continue to comply with all approval conditions through detailed design, construction, operation and eventual decommissioning.
Environmental Impact Statement
The EIS for the St Patricks Plains Wind Farm includes:
- Details of the proposal, project alternatives, consultation undertaken and the existing environment;
- A thorough assessment of potential impacts and the proposed mitigation, management and monitoring measures for matters including avifauna, terrestrial fauna, flora and vegetation communities, noise, air quality, water, groundwater, waste management, greenhouse gas emissions, traffic, visual amenity and cumulative impacts;
- The EPBC Act assessment outcomes and required avoidance, mitigation and offset measures;
- Proposed decommissioning, rehabilitation and ongoing environmental management commitments; and
- Specialist technical appendices covering areas such as biodiversity, noise, socio-economic impacts, traffic and transport, landscape and visual impacts, shadow flicker and hydrology.
Following detailed assessment of the EIS and supporting documentation, both State and Commonwealth approvals have been granted, subject to conditions. These conditions include requirements for ongoing environmental management, monitoring and reporting throughout all phases of the project.
The approved EIS and associated conditions provide a clear framework to ensure the project is constructed and operated in an environmentally responsible manner, with compliance required during pre-construction, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning.
