Community Newsletter #7 – January 2026

Download the PDF newsletter here: Mallee Wind Farm – Community Newsletter #7 – January 2026

The Mallee Wind Farm is a proposed renewable energy project located in the Wentworth Local Government Area, approximately 16 km north-east of Buronga.

Overview

Developed by Spark Renewables, the project would have a generation capacity of 400 MW, co-located with a 100 MW battery energy storage system (BESS). The site is located on flat, cleared land with a strong wind resource and is well positioned to generate, store, and dispatch electricity to the National Electricity Market.

  • 400 MW wind farm with up to 76 turbines (up to 280-metre tip height)
  • 100 MW BESS, with capacity to supply 200 MWh
  • Equivalent to supplying electricity to over 200,000 households
  • Up to 400 jobs during peak construction and around 30 ongoing roles
  • $420,000 annually in direct payments to community and council funds

Environmental Assessments

The Mallee Wind Farm is planned to be built on open, cropped land to minimise potential impacts on biodiversity. Detailed biodiversity surveys and on-ground monitoring activities have continued across the project area to identify threatened species and inform responsible project planning in line with regulatory requirements.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

Throughout 2025, Spark Renewables engaged with the Wentworth Shire Council, landholders, and neighbouring residents through meetings and public events, including the Mildura Field Day and the Wentworth Show. These engagements helped shape benefit-sharing initiatives aligned with local priorities.

Spark Renewables also participated in the Cultivating Change: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Roundtable hosted by La Trobe University’s Mildura Campus, exploring opportunities to support sustainable agricultural development in the region.

Community Benefit Sharing

In line with theNSW Benefit Sharing Guideline, Spark Renewables is committed to providing $1,050 per MW annually over the project’s 35-year lifespan. For a 400 MW wind farm, this would result in $420,000 per year, shared across four proposed funds:

  • Council Projects Fund (75%)
  • Community Benefit Fund (10%)
  • Independent Aboriginal Community Fund (10%)
  • Independent Scholarship and Youth Fund (5%)

Planning Update

The Mallee Wind Farm is a State Significant Development under NSW planning legislation. Public exhibition of the Environmental Impact Statement was completed in November 2024.

Spark Renewables is currently preparing a Submissions Report, responding to key matters raised during exhibition, with further information on road upgrades, biodiversity, and cultural heritage. The Response to Submissions is expected in early 2026.

Find the projects Environmental Impact Statement on the NSW Planning Portal for Major Projects by visiting this page.