Planning and Environment
Designing to minimise impacts to native vegetation and with existing farming practices in mind.
Environment Effects Statement (EES) Referral Lodgement
The Macorna Wind Farm is carefully considering the impacts on neighbours, landholders, and the local environment.
We are now preparing to lodge an Environment Effects Statement (EES) Referral with the Victorian Government.
This is an important early step to determine whether an EES is required and what assessments may be needed.
The EES referral will include:
The project details and its potential impacts
The impact assessments completed to date
Assessment against the EES criteria
Following lodgement, the referral will be made publicly available, and government agencies will review the project. The Minister will decide if the project requires an EES and what further studies are needed.
Proposed turbine layout
The project layout has been refined over time to balance energy generation with environmental and community considerations.
The layout below reflects the latest design and has been informed by detailed environmental and technical assessments, as well as early feedback from landholders.
Key considerations for the layout include:
Prioritising existing agricultural operations
Consideration of landowner and neighbour buffers and sightlines, including increasing the distance of turbines to Pyramid Hill and Macorna
Maintaining a turbine buffer from Hird and Johnson Swamps (RAMSAR-listed wetlands), and reducing impacts to native vegetation and ecological habitat
Reducing local road impacts
Considering and avoiding areas of high cultural heritage sensitivity
Avoidance of and reduction to works within areas subject to flooding
Consideration of existing infrastructure, including the Kerang Aerodrome, telecommunications links, and irrigation infrastructure.
The project is still in the planning process. The turbine layout and project details may change as new information becomes available. Community and landholder input will continue to play an important role in shaping the project.
Technical assessments and mitigation
Respecting our land, water, and wildlife.
We’re designing the project with strong environmental protections, cultural respect, and local knowledge in mind.
As part of the environmental assessment and planning process and to inform the turbine layout, extensive technical assessments are conducted. Highly experienced professionals carry these out with great attention to detail.
These include:
Flora and fauna
Bushfire and fire risk
Landscape and visual impact
Shadow flicker, glint and glare, blade throw
Electromagnetic interference
Noise impact
Hydrology and flooding
Cultural Heritage and Historic Heritage
Agriculture
Socio-economic
Traffic
Aviation
Hydrogeology
Geotechnical
Air Quality and Emissions
By sharing your thoughts early, you help us:
Respect local culture and heritage
Identify and avoid potential issues
Design smarter, more practical solutions
Support what matters most in your community
Shape benefit-sharing programs that deliver real value
Understand the land and environmental conditions
Avoid disruption to farming, local events, or sensitive areas
Design traffic and access plans that make sense.
We also welcome:
Suggestions for local businesses or contractors
Community benefit ideas (e.g. grants, sponsorships, infrastructure)
Insights into what your town needs most.
Share your thoughts on this project
The best outcomes happen when communities are involved from the start – during planning.
Your knowledge of the region is invaluable.
