Today the Tasmanian Liberal Government has formally declared the North East Wind Project to be a Major Project.
Minister for Planning, Michael Ferguson, said in making this declaration, the North East Wind Farm will be the second project to be assessed under our streamlined Major Projects assessment process.
“The New Bridgewater Bridge Project, which was granted a Major Projects Permit on 18 May, was the first and was successfully granted approval,” Minister Ferguson said.
“Now that I have made this decision, this project will go through the same comprehensive and streamlined assessment process allowing public input, rather than the old planning process which was simply unworkable for large projects like this.
“It is pleasing to see that private developers such ACEN Australia also have confidence in our new planning process and have recognised the advantages of a coordinated assessment that is independent, comprehensive and rigorous, and which provides certainty and transparency to both proponents and the community.
“The North East Wind Farm Project proposes a 210 turbine wind farm at two locations in Dorset - Rushy Lagoon and Waterhouse.
“It is just the type of large-scale, complex project for which our Major Projects assessment process was developed.”
Minister for Energy and Renewables, Guy Barnett, said the Project, if approved, would have a generation capacity of up to 1260 megawatts, would also include a range of ancillary infrastructure, including roads, electrical infrastructure, quarries, services, and a wharf. It has an estimated construction value of $2.7 billion.
“It would provide significant and much needed opportunities for employment in the Dorset area, generating up to 400 jobs during the peak of construction and up to 65 jobs ongoing,” Minister Barnett said.
“Tasmania can be the nation’s cleanest, smartest and most innovative state.
“What this means is that through the development of more renewable energy we will deliver jobs for future generations of Tasmanians, and ensure the cheapest form of electricity, renewable energy, supports growing investment and new industries here on island, while also supporting our country’s move to cut emissions and tackle climate change.”
Tasmania is in the process of doubling our renewable energy output, injecting billions into the Tasmanian economy and creating thousands of jobs, many in regional areas.
Tasmania has already achieved 100 per cent renewable status and we are on track to achieve the 200 per cent Tasmanian Renewable Energy Target by 2040 with new renewable energy projects such as the North East Wind Farm complemented by Marinus Link, Battery of the Nation and our emerging Green Hydrogen industry.