Wind farm developer NewEn Australia has submitted a planning permit for the project to Horsham Rural City Council. The company also submitted an application for a planning permit to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. 

The permit application involves developing land for a wind energy project as well as associated infrastructure, a substation transformer, internal access tracks, hardstand areas and signs. 

NewEn Australia director Ernst Weyhausen said the wind farm would be located four kilometres west of Wonwondah North. 

“We have made an application to be able to install up to 13 wind turbines at a height of up to 235 metres, which is not dissimilar to the Murra Warra wind farm in terms of height,” he said. 

The proposed wind farm would provide enough energy to power up to 20,000 households. 

Mr Weyhausen said construction could bring up to 160 jobs and a positive impact on the area’s economy. 

“It’s inevitable that people will be brought in from elsewhere and they will stay in Horsham during the construction period,” he said.  

Mr Weyhausen said the proposed site was an ideal location with existing infrastructure, reasonable wind and removed from populated areas. 

The transmission line that runs next to the proposed site means the company does not have to build additional infrastructure. He said this was an advantage for the project.

Mr Weyhausen said the company considered a location that would not be in direct sight of the people living in the general area.

“In this regard, Rifle Butts is particularly good because it only has 30 houses within the five kilometres and most people would not be able to see the farm,” he said. 

If the planning permit was approved, Mr Weyhausen construction could start in early 2019.