Mallee Wind Farm

Information Session – Mallee Wind Farm Environmental Impact Statement

Spark Renewables is holding a community consultation session for the Mallee Wind Farm project, which reached an important milestone.

The project is part of the Mallee Energy Hub developed by Spark Renewables, and is located approximately 16 km north-east of Buronga, in the Wentworth Local Government Area.

As a State Significant Development, the Mallee Wind Farm requires a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

An EIS for the Mallee Wind Farm was lodged with DPHI in November 2024, and is available for view and comment from Wednesday, 13 November until Tuesday, 10 December 2024. A summary of Mallee Wind Farm EIS studies is also included in the Project Factsheet.

Information session at the Midway Centre

You are welcome to drop in to our information session at any time to meet the Spark Renewables team, view materials and ask questions about the EIS prepared for the Mallee Wind Farm. We are hosting a face-to-face session at:

📍 Location: Midway Centre, 6 Midway Drive, Buronga
📅 Date: 28 November 2024
🕒 Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

If you wish to set up a one-on-one meeting or call with Spark Renewables, please email info@malleewindfarm.com or leave a voicemail at 1300 271 419.

Spark Renewables at the Wentworth Show

This is just a quick note to say a huge thank you to everyone who stopped by the Spark Renewables stall to learn about the Mallee Energy Hub over the weekend at the Wentworth Show.

Our Project Lead, Laurie Wallis, and Development Team Engineer, Alejandra Mora, were thrilled to meet and chat with so many enthusiastic showgoers and spoke to over a hundred people.

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“It was one of the busiest consultations session I ever conducted.”

Laurie Wallis, Project Lead of the Mallee Energy Hub

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There’s no better place to experience the love of country produce than at a country show. We were impressed by the perfect oranges, hearty pumpkins and extraordinary sausages all on display.

Spark Renewables sponsored the 2024 Wentworth Show, putting up free shuttle buses from McLeod Oval to the Showgrounds.

We would also like to thank Umwelt Environmental and Social Consultants for their comprehensive overview and findings from our recent studies, which are compiled in a factsheet here.

Mallee Energy Hub Community Newsletter #5 & Mallee Wind Farm & BESS Factsheet – August 2024

We are excited to share the latest newsletter update and a comprehensive factsheet regarding the proposed wind farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Mallee Energy Hub. The factsheet includes detailed information on the planning assessment process, map showing the project layout, changes since the scoping phase, and an overview of some of the studies done to date, including:

• Social Impact Assessment
• Landscape and visual
• Biodiversity
• Cultural heritage
• Economic
• Noise
• Transport
• Hazards

Mallee Energy Hub includes a wind farm project with a battery energy storage system, and a solar farm project; both located in the Wentworth Local Government Area, approximately 16 km north-east of Buronga.

Situated within the NSW South-West Renewable Energy Zone, the projects would connect via 220 or 330kV transmission infrastructure.

As State Significant Development (SSD) both projects require a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI). A Scoping Report for the Mallee Wind Farm was lodged with DPHI in November 2022, with the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements for the EIS issued on 17 February 2023. These documents are available on DPHI’s Planning Portal here.

The Mallee Energy Hub is being developed by Spark Renewables. We develop, own and operate renewable energy generation assets that lead the renewable energy transition in Australia. Spark Renewables has a large and diversified portfolio of operational and development stage wind, solar and storage assets across Australia including the operational Bomen Solar Farm near Wagga Wagga.

Information Session at the Mildura Field Days, 2023

1 May 2023

Mallee Wind Farm project is located ~23km from Mildura. Spark Renewables will be at the Mildura Field Days 2023, hosted at 53 Racecourse Road, Nichols Point, Victoria, on 19-20 May 2023.

Visit our information stall between 9am and 3pm to view the Scoping Report, project layout maps, and talk to our team about the Mallee Wind Farm project.

You can also download and view the documents via these links:

• Scoping Report
• Maps
• Community Newsletter #2 – May 2023

If you wish to set up a one-on-one meeting or call with Spark Renewables, please email info@malleewindfarm.com or leave a voicemail at 1300 271 419.

SEARs for the proposed Mallee Wind Farm project issued

20 February 2023

Spark Renewables has received the NSW Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the proposed Mallee Wind Farm. The SEARs will guide the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement as part of the development application process.

We are pleased to be progressing to the next stage of the comprehensive NSW planning approval process*, which will involve detailed studies and close consultation with the community and authorities.

Key studies that will be carried out include:

• Investigations of biodiversity
• Cultural heritage
• Visual amenity
• Noise and vibration
• Hazards
• Land
• Social impacts

This is an important step that will help us better understand and refine our site and ultimately build a great project.

The detailed documentation of the project SEARs can be viewed and downloaded on the NSW Planning Portal on this page.

* Application reference number is SSD-53293710

Mallee Wind Farm: first community consultation a success

24 August 2022

Spark Renewables has held its first community drop-in session for the proposed Mallee Wind Farm, announced in early August 2022.

The drop-in session was held on Tuesday, 23 August at the Midway Centre near Buronga.

The three-hour drop-in session was open for all community members to come by and meet with the Spark Renewables development team, read information posters about the proposed project, look at the investigation area on a map, and provide feedback on the proposal, both verbally and via a survey.

Julian Kasby, Senior Development Manager at Spark Renewables, said:

“It was fantastic to be in Buronga and meet so the local community.

“We were pleased to be able to hear the insights and questions from over 20 local community members who attended. We were also able to connect with local service providers and individuals who are interested in being a part of the project either through our planned local employment program, or through opportunities to provide goods and services during the construction and operational phases of the project,” Mr Kasby said.

Feedback on the proposed project was largely positive. Community members in attendance were most interested in understanding the size of the project, the technology that will power the proposed wind farm, and how Spark Renewables will mitigate some of the potential issues that may arise as part of the project, such as visual and noise amenity impacts, and impacts to native flora and fauna. The Spark Renewables team were also asked questions on decommissioning and site rehabilitation.

During the drop-in session and through the completed community surveys, helpful suggestions were made by the community on potential benefit-sharing opportunities, including:

• Local sourcing of services, materials and labour;
• Local community groups and clubs that would benefit from an annual community fund; and
• Improved communications and road upgrades along Arumpo Road.

Materials displayed at the consultation session are available here:

• Posters
• Map of investigation area
• Community newsletter #1

Survey remains open for feedback via this link.

ENDS

Contact:
Julian Kasby
M: 0411 638 651
E: julian.kasby@sparkrenewables.com

About Spark Renewables

Spark Renewables is a leading developer and long-term owner and operator of renewable energy generation assets. Our operational portfolio comprises the 100 MW Bomen Solar Farm near Wagga Wagga, contracted to Westpac and Flow Power, which commenced operations in 2020. Our large development portfolio includes wind, solar and storage projects in the National Electricity Market.

Spark Renewables is owned by the Spark Infrastructure Group – an owner of critical energy infrastructure, including generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure across Australia.

Spark Renewables is a member of the Clean Energy Council (CEC) and a signatory to the CEC’s Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Developments.