Wind Energy Policy and Planning Guidelines

The Victorian Government has produced the Policy and planning guidelines for development of wind energy facilities in Victoria to ensure the appropriate development of Victoria's wind resource in a way that balances environmental, economic and social outcomes.

The Policy and planning guidelines have ensured a consistent approach to the development of wind energy facilities since 2002. These Guidelines have been technically updated in September 2009. They ensure that renewable energy policy and technical assessment criteria are up to date. The update supplements existing assessment criteria for the siting and design of wind energy facilities.

• Policy and planning guidelines for development of wind energy facilities, 2009 (opens a pdf on a new site)
• List of updates to wind energy guidelines, 2009 (opens a pdf on a new site)

Purpose

The Guidelines aim to:

• facilitate appropriate development of wind energy facilities
• balance environmental, social and economic outcomes
• provide a planning framework for the consideration of all wind energy projects to ensure a consistent and balanced approach to assessment across the State.

Planning framework

The Guidelines provide a clear decision making framework to ensure that proposals for wind energy facilities are thoroughly assessed against criteria important to both proponents and the community before development can commence.
 
The Guidelines also outline the Government's renewable energy policy and the role of wind energy projects in achieving a sustainable energy future for Victoria, as well as outlining the State assessment mechanism for wind energy projects of 30 MW or greater.
 
The assessment framework outlined in the Guidelines ensures that proposals for wind energy are thoroughly assessed and includes, where necessary, the need  for an Environment Effects Statement (EES).

Further related information can be found on the Department of Planning and Community Development dedicated web page:

DPCD Site - Wind Energy Facilities

Top | Last updated 08/10/2009