The Macedon Ranges Community Energy Park will produce enough clean energy to power every household in the shire.

A project of local residents and the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group (MRSG), the Park could host up to 8 wind turbines, 24,000 solar panels and 10MWh of battery storage.

MRSG and Windlab will consult deeply with site neighbours and the broader Macedon Ranges community to ensure they can influence project design, are updated on progress and share the project’s benefits over its operating life.

For example, MRSG proposes using income from its share of electricity sales to fund other clean energy projects in the shire.

For more information contact:

• Bruce Mildenhall: cep@mrsg.org.au or 0419 302 839

Status of Project

The Macedon Ranges Community Energy Park is currently on hold pending required changes to the State’s Plantation Act. See here for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the planning process for the project?

The Victorian Government has implemented a comprehensive policy and planning framework specifically covering the development and operation of wind farms. This framework is set out in the Victorian Planning Provisions and provides for a consistent and balanced approach to the assessment of wind farm development applications.

Assessment of any permit application for a wind farm can only commence once the proponent has made a valid application for a permit. Such an application must include expert reports on the potential impacts of the project and detailed strategies and plans of how the proponent will mitigate and manage those impacts. This application will be exhibited publicly for a minimum period of 28 days, during which time individuals and organisations may make submissions on the proposed development.

Final determination on whether to grant a permit, or not, rests with the Minister for Planning after assessment of the proponent’s application by the specialist teams within DELWP (Department of Environment Land Water and Planning).

Is there any independent research into the health impacts of wind turbines?

Australia's peak government health body, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHRMC) conducted two reviews of the evidence. The first study conducted in 2010 concluded that "there is no published scientific evidence to support adverse effects of wind turbines on health." Similarly, the 2015 update came to a same conclusion: "there is currently no consistent evidence that wind farms cause adverse health effects in humans."

In regards to infrasound specifically, the Australian Medical Association (AMA), the professional body that represents Australian doctors, has stated that "the infrasound and low frequency sound generated by modern wind farms in Australia is well below the level where known health effects occur."

There are numerous individual studies that have been conducted on this, a summary has been compiled by Professor Simon Chapman and Teresa Simonetti from the University of Sydney.

Is this a community project?

The Community Energy Park is an initiative of the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group (MRSG), a group of local residents keen to reduce and neutralise carbon emissions in our area.

MRSG members have been working on the idea for a number of years, and have discussed the proposal with government and the renewable energy industry. We have also erected a testing mast which has shown promising results. MRSG has sought an experienced industry partner and has selected Windlab. An investment of this size needs a partner with the capacity to undertake the studies and attract the capital to build the infrastructure.

MRSG is a non-profit community group, and income from the energy park will be directed to community projects. Some examples of projects have been the Woodend Primary School, New Gisborne Primary School, St Lukes in Kyneton, Macedon Tennis Club, Hesket Primary School and the Woodend RSL.

Where does the electricity go? 

Renewable energy projects feed power into the grid. Because of the location of the community energy park, the electricity will be consumed locally, and depending on the volume, be also distributed via the grid to other areas.  

Why was this site chosen?

The pine plantation site was chosen because of a range of characteristics: it is more than 1km from residents; has heavy vehicle road access, has a rich wind energy resource, has high voltage power lines through it, and will complement the current forestry use.

Will it impact on the local environment?

As part of the planning process, comprehensive reports any impact on birds and bats populations and a range other factors are required to be prepared, and publicly shared for perusal and comment. Prior to any development, independent expert studies will be undertaken to identify all endemic and migratory bird and bat species in the proposed area and surrounding region.

Environmental studies will then be considered and adjudicated on by relevant authorities and governments, prior to any development approvals being put in place. This process ensures that all local flora and fauna is allocated appropriate buffers from any turbines and that ongoing monitoring and management strategies will be implemented to reduce the risk of impact on these populations.

Is there a fire risk?

The CFA are one of the key organisations whose comments will be sought in the planning process.
Renewable energy plants have been previously rated as ‘low risk’ by the CFA.

In addition, as part of the wind farm development, high quality transportation and access roads will be built throughout the site. These roads will provide suitable and effective access as fire trails for CFA fire and emergency services vehicles. Once the wind farm is operation, none of the turbines or areas will be fenced off and none of the access routes will be restricted. As such, when operating, the proposed wind farm will not impede access to the area by firefighters or local residents.