Current Stage
Assessment Commenced
Proposal Details
Client: Equis Wind (Australia) Projects (LHWF2) Pty Ltd as trustee for the Equis Wind (Australia) LHWF2 Holding Trust
Premises: Bell Bay Wind Farm Major Project
Activity: Wind Energy Facility
Class of Assessment: Not Applicable
Important Dates
Assessment Commenced: 13/8/2024
Note: Class of Assessment is not applicable under the Major Project process.
The Proposal
This project has been declared a major project under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993, resulting in the Environment Protection Authority becoming one of several 'relevant regulators' for the project. The project proposal involves the development of a wind farm and associated infrastructure northeast of George Town, centred around Soldiers Settlement Road, southwest of Beechford and east of Low Head, with a transmission line connecting to Bell Bay.
The proposal is for 28 wind turbine generators with a projected generating capacity of approximately 224 megawatts, associated hardstands, a battery energy storage system, electricity reticulation, 8 km transmission line, substation and switchyard, access roads, carparking, buildings and associated infrastructure, temporary facilities including construction compound, concrete batching plant and quarry on a site of approximately 2780 hectares.
Bell Bay Wind Farm Major Project - EPA Assessment Requirement Notice (PDF 571Kb)
Assessment Requirement Notice Issued by the EPA Director
On 15 April 2024, the EPA Director issued an Assessment Requirement Notice on behalf the EPA Board, becoming a 'participating regulator' for the proposal.
Bell Bay Wind Farm Major Project - EPA Assessment Requirement Notice (PDF 571Kb)
Assessment Criteria Issued by the Development Assessment Panel
The Development Assessment Panel published Draft Assessment Criteria on 12 October 2024, which were publicly exhibited until 28 October 2024.
On 21 October 2024, the EPA submitted a Representation in relation to the Draft Assessment Criteria under section 60ZL(2) of LUPAA.
Bell Bay Wind Farm Major Project - EPA Representation (PDF 128Kb)
Guidance Issued by the EPA Board
On 15 November, the EPA Board provided its guidance to the Development Assessment Panel in accordance with sections 60ZC(6) and (7) of LUPAA, taken to be the guidance that the EPA Board has provided to Equis Wind (Australia) Projects (LHWF2) Pty Ltd for the purposes of section 74(4) of EMPCA. The EPA Board's Guidance indicates what information the EPA Board requires Equis Wind (Australia) Projects (LHWF2) Pty Ltd to provide in the Major Project Impact Statement in order for the EPA Board to properly undertake the EIA of the proposal.
Bell Bay Wind Farm Major Project - EPA Board Guidance (PDF 486Kb)