Proposal Overview
The Cellars Hill Wind Farm is a grid connected wind farm with potential capacity of up to 350MW in the Central Highlands of Tasmania. It will potentially be accompanied by a battery energy storage system (BESS) and electricity infrastructure (such as a switchyard and substation) to facilitate connection into the existing 220kV transmission line that runs through the site.
The project will connect directly to the existing 220 kV transmission line running through the site, avoiding the need to develop new transmission lines.
The wind farm will be constructed to enable the continued use of the land for agricultural and forestry practices.
The careful planning and construction of the wind farm will ensure that local biodiversity is preserved, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship while driving forward Tasmania's clean energy future.
The Project will provide significant community benefits, including direct investment, construction and ongoing jobs, and other local procurement opportunities.
Location suitability
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 on 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 local community. Further, the site has already been disturbed through grazing and forestry, and areas of remaining biodiversity value will be protected.
The closest turbines within the Cellars Hill Wind Farm will be located at least 10 kilometres from Bothwell, 7 kilometres from Osterley and 15 kilometres from Ouse. These distances are comparably further than most Tasmanian wind farms.
At this distance, there will be minimal visual impact on Bothwell and other local towns and many of the turbines will be hidden by natural undulations in the land. Whilst there will be some turbines visible from various vantage points, it will be visually recessive and will not dominate the landscape from these distances.
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.
Turbine area
The turbine area for the project has been developed in response to engagement with the local community and landowners and ecological and engineering assessments.
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, with the remainder left undisturbed.
The turbine area represents the land in which the 56 turbines will be located within, subject to further assessments and detailed design.
Other infrastructure includes access tracks and laydown areas, internal transmission lines. The substation may be located outside of the turbine area but within the site.
Will I be able to see or hear the wind farm from Bothwell and other local towns?
The closest turbines within the Cellars Hill Wind Farm will be located at least 10 kilometres from Bothwell, 7 kilometres from Osterley and 15 kilometres from Ouse.
These distances are comparably further than most Tasmanian wind farms.
At this distance, there will be minimal visual impact on Bothwell and other local towns and many of the turbines will be hidden by natural undulations in the land.
Whilst there will be some turbines visible from various vantage points, it will be visually recessive and will not dominate the landscape from these distances.
A landscape and visual impact assessment will be prepared to inform the planning and design of the project and mitigation measures such as landscaping would be implemented if required.
Site Photography
The proposed development area is located on Cellars Hill,
approximately 10 kilometres to the north of Bothwell on Highlands Lakes Road.
