General News
26 September, 2024
Wind farm on horizon for Wilkur
In Wilkur, 11km south-west of Birchip, 10,554 hectares of farmland will soon house up to 97 wind turbines for a project that is currently in the early stages of development.
WestWind Energy’s Wilkur Energy Park can potentially supply green energy for about 500,000 homes.
Buloke Shire Council mayor Alan Getley told ABC Radio that the turbines would span Buloke and Yarriambiack shires.
Cr Getley said it would only be a matter of time before the farm appeared.
“The battery out there and all the other infrastructure will be producing power fully by 2027," he said.
WestWind Energy chief development officer Marla Brauer said the planning and environmental processes would be undertaken within the next 12-18 months.
"Subject to environmental and planning approval, it may take another one to two-plus years for detailed design and securing finance before construction could commence," Ms Brauer said.
A full year's worth of seasonal ecological studies for the project site was recently completed and Ms Brauer said now they were beginning ecological studies for another full year.
The project has been referred to the state Minister for Planning to determine if an Environmental Effects Statement should be prepared.
This is currently on hold pending the completion of further environmental studies.
Recently WestWind Energy has had a pop-up office for the project at Birchip Neighbourhood House.
For more information, visit https://w-wind.com.au/project/wilkur-energy-park/ or email info@wilkurenergypark.com.au