Cellars Hill Wind Farm
Landowner-led renewable energy proposal that will provide local energy subsidies
Photo: Cellars Hill, Tasmania
A landowner-led renewable energy project with the potential to create local jobs and provide a $1,000 energy subsidy
A vision for a more sustainable future
Local landowners, including multigenerational farming families, are working in partnership with Alternate Path and Gamuda Australia to develop Cellars Hill Wind Farm in the Central Highlands of Tasmania.
Together, the partnership brings two decades of experience in renewable energy development, including the successful Cattle Hill Wind Farm, located on the eastern shore of Lake Echo.
This includes a proposal for a $1,000 per annum energy subsidy per household/business within 12 kilometres of a turbine, paid for the life of the project.
The proposal is for a grid connected wind farm with potential capacity of up to 350MW, featuring up to 56 turbines, associated infrastructure and works across privately and publicly owned agricultural land.
Tasmanian Country Hour interview
Peter Downie was interviewed on ABC Radio on 7 February 2025. He spoke about the project, the suitability of the site and his intent to ensure that the Highlands community benefits from this new infrastructure and industry.
130,000
Equivalent Number of Homes
Powered
230
Anticipated Number of Construction Jobs Created
14
Anticipated Number of
Ongoing Jobs Created
190,000
Tonnes of CO2-e
Emission Saved Per Year
1,140,552
Electricity Production
Per Year (MWh)
1.98 million
Equivalent Number of
Trees Saved
A landowner-led proposal that is sensitive to local concerns
As established local families, the landowners are committed to considering the area's environmental and cultural values and to ensuring the community benefits from the project and their ongoing stewardship of the land.
This includes a proposal for a $1,000 per annum energy subsidy per household/business within 12 kilometres of a turbine, paid for the life of the project.
Suitably located with minimal impacts to the landscape
The project is suitably located within the Central Highlands Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and benefits from being adjacent to existing 220 kV transmission line infrastructure. This means that there is no need to build new transmission lines, minimising impacts to the local landscape.
In addition, the wind farm is sited in an area that is remote and sparsely settled, and more than 10km from the nearest town of Bothwell, reducing impacts on the community.
Supports current forestry, agriculture and hunting practices
Cellars Hill Wind Farm is being designed and will be constructed to ensure established grazing, forestry and hunting practices can continue.
The wind turbines only occupy a small portion of the development site ground cover, meaning agricultural and forestry practices can continue around them.
Hunting can also continue at the site, subject to additional precautions.
Creating opportunities for local jobs and training in renewable energy
The project vision is to use renewable energy generated on-site to support sustainable businesses and industries in the local area, through a ‘Behind the Meter’ connection to generate real and lasting social and economic benefits for Bothwell, surrounding communities and the state of Tasmania.
The project is expected to provide opportunities for local businesses to be involved during the construction phase and will promote the growth of new industries to support local economic development.
Central Highlands
Proposed Site
The closest turbines within Cellars Hill Wind Farm will be located at least 10 km from Bothwell, 7 km from Osterley and 15 km from Ouse and more than 4km from Highlands Lakes Road.
Turbine area
Cellars Hill Wind Farm will have up to 56 turbines. At this stage a ‘Turbine Area’ has been determined as a small area within the site, which is well setback from Highlands Lakes Road and Bothwell.
This reduced an initial plan of approximately 86 turbines following biodiversity studies and early neighbour and community engagement.
Site area
The total site area of the wind farm is approximately 8,460 hectares.
Of that, approximately 165 hectares will comprise the wind turbines and other infrastructure.
Is there enough wind to generate sufficient electricity?
Yes. According to the Department of State Growth, Tasmanian wind farms produce more energy than most areas on mainland Australia due to their ability to capture the prevailing westerly winds from the reliable ‘roaring forties.’
Wind monitoring and technical assessment have and will continue to be undertaken to support the siting of the turbines in ideal locations from a generation, environmental and amenity perspective.
Project Partners
Local landowners, including multigenerational farming families, are working in partnership with Alternate Path and Gamuda Australia to develop Cellars Hill Wind Farm in the Central Highlands of Tasmania.
Robert Luxmoore and Cogency Australia continue to provide project management, planning, environmental, and community engagement services for the project.
As key project partner of Cellars Hill Wind Farm, Alternate Path works closely with the proponent and the consultants on the planning, development and delivery of the project.
Alternate Path is led by Andrew Clark who brings 25 years of experience as one of Australia’s leading lawyers in the infrastructure, renewables and energy sectors, with a particular focus on the development and financing of emerging technologies in these sectors and developing innovative offtake and market pathways for renewable energy and energy transition projects.
Alternate Path and the Downie family, as developers of Cellars Hill, have partnered with Gamuda Australia, to co-develop and construct Weasel Solar Farm and Cellars Hill Wind Farm (if approved).
Gamuda is a global engineering, property and infrastructure company with an excellent track record of delivering world-class major projects. The company’s core business focuses on infrastructure design, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance across rail, roads, bridges, tunnelling, water management, transmission and renewable energy.
Gamuda is committed to continue the landowner-led principles of the portfolio which will be delivered in partnership with the Downie Family and Alternate Path.
Whilst Gamuda will bring important technical and engineering skills to the project team, from the outside, the project will continue as in a business-as-usual manner, including its strong commitment to engagement and community benefit sharing.
The proponent has engaged Robert Luxmoore to undertake the project and consultant management for Cellars Hill Wind Farm.
Robert Luxmoore is an experienced, independent project management consultancy. They offer a variety of services from feasibility through to construction, in core sectors of renewable energy, residential and commercial property development and recreation facilities.
Robert Luxmoore have extensive project experience across all Australian states and have worked on notable renewable energy projects in Tasmania.
The proponent has engaged Cogency to undertake the planning, and community engagement for Cellars Hill Wind Farm.
Cogency is a climate action-focused planning and engagement consultancy that make complex projects simpler. They do this through early consultation with stakeholders and communities, good planning, deep industry partnerships, and bespoke, practical solutions.
Cogency has extensive experience working in the renewable energy space, handling development and environmental approvals along with supporting clients with community engagement.