Campbells Bridge Wind Farm

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is RWE working to develop projects like the Campbells Bridge Wind Farm?

  All renewable energy projects, including the Campbells Bridge Wind Farm, play an important role in Australia's transition away from fossil fuel energy production.

  RWE plans to invest up to $6 billion in wind, solar and battery projects across Australia by 2030 and billions more in offshore wind projects, should it be successful in offshore wind auctions.

  The Campbells Bridge Wind Farm will have an installed capacity of up to 1,000 megawatts.

• Why has the Campbells Bridge location been chosen for a proposed wind farm?

  Campbells Bridge was identified as a potentially suitable site for a wind farm based on three main areas of consideration:

  • Wind resource
  • Grid connection options
  • Population density

  Detailed investigations are being undertaken to further understand the suitability of the site and to identify any constraints which will help inform the location of infrastructure and the design of the project.

• What stage is the project at?

  The Campbells Bridge Wind Farm has progressed from the feasibility phase into planning and approvals, which will include specialist studies to understand the local environment. Studies will be conducted on cultural heritage, transport, noise, shadow flicker, ecology, surface and ground water, visual, social and aviation.

• Does the wind farm require a new transmission line?

  Yes. A new transmission line will be required to connect the project to the Bulgana Terminal Station.

• Is there any connection between the Campbells Bridge Wind Farm and the proposed VNI West transmission line?

  No. RWE is not considering VNI West as a connection option for the Campbells Bridge Wind Farm.

• Where is the proposed substation location and how big is that site?

  Investigations are being undertaken into possible substation sites at the southern end of the project site close to the existing 220kv transmission line. The substation site is expected to be approximately five to seven hectares.

• Will RWE engage with the local community?

  Yes. In fact, we have been engaging with the community since 2022. Typically, community engagement for renewable energy projects begins in the planning and approval stage. We began engaging with the broader public much earlier, in the feasibility stage. This included a doorknock of all neighbours within five kilometres of the proposed project boundary, in February 2022. Our team began meeting with neighbours within three kilometres of the project boundary, in August 2023.

  The Campbells Bridge Wind Farm Engagement Hub is now open at 92 Main Street in Stawell on Tuesdays from 10am to 5:30pm, or by appointment. It’s a great opportunity for community members to come and chat with the project team and learn more about the project.

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• Can RWE compulsorily acquire properties?

  No. RWE and the Campbells Bridge Wind Farm do not have any right to compulsorily acquire land. RWE will only be able to operate on private property if there is a negotiated agreement in place.

• How far will turbines be from neighbouring properties?

  Planning guidelines require turbines to be no closer than one kilometre to any dwellings. We have committed to buffering all neighbouring dwellings near the Campbells Bridge Wind Farm by 1.6 kilometres. Turbine blades are not permitted to overhang roads or neighbouring properties, so will be at least 100 metres from any fence lines along gazetted roads or on the project boundary.

• Will RWE have a rehabilitation bond?

  RWE is implementing a security commitment, or bond, for the proposed Campbells Bridge Wind Farm. This security is for the landowners and will be enough to cover decommissioning of infrastructure for each property. This cost will be determined by an independent quantity surveyor. If the decommissioning obligations in the planning permit are not met the landowner is able to draw down the security.

• Who is legally responsible if a wind turbine starts a fire?

  RWE’s legal responsibility flows from its position as owner and operator of the project and lessee of the land. Actual legal responsibility for losses and damage depends on the circumstances, so it is hard to answer categorically. However, RWE will have appropriate public liability insurance which typically will respond to risk of loss including from fire, just as we do on our other projects in Australia and overseas.

• What happens if there is a Total Fire Ban or a fire in the area?

  The project operations manager will be able to have the turbines turned off quickly in the event of an emergency. Their contact details will be publicly available, as will the project manager during construction. Wind farms can operate on Total Fire Ban days where permitted in accordance with local fire bylaws and regulations. However, TFB days usually have very high winds and turbines automatically turn off when the wind exceeds about 90 kilometres per hour. Hot works (such as welding) will not be undertaken at the project site on TFB days. Ground and aerial firefighting can occur at the site in the event of a fire and the proposed Campbells Bridge Wind Farm will adhere to the CFA guidelines that ‘support safe and effective fire-fighting operations’. We will also adhere to recommendations in the guidelines to include an on-site water supply for firefighting and to implement fire breaks.

• Does the landowner have final say on where the turbines are placed?

  RWE will work closely with landowners to identify locations of turbines and other project infrastructure with consideration of existing operations. RWE is responsible for the placement of turbines and other project infrastructure. If approved, there is a micro-siting allowance which allows turbines to be moved to a minimal extent (typically up to 100 metres) from the approved location.

• When will the turbine layout be finalised?

  Developing a project layout requires ongoing iterations in consultation with project stakeholders. The number of turbines and final layout will be dependent on the outcome of detailed environmental, ecological and engineering studies being undertaken, in parallel with community consultation.

  Detailed surveys and studies are underway, and these need to be completed before appropriate infrastructure locations are identified. We understand the community has questions, and we have been contacting immediate neighbours and sharing information about the closest potential turbines to their properties.

  The reason we can do this at this early stage is because – while we know some locations may change – we have implemented site boundary and neighbouring dwelling buffers which inform the design and turbine locations in these specific areas. It's worth noting, that even these locations are subject to change due to outcomes of other detailed studies.

  Once detailed investigations are complete and there is an indicative project layout with more accurate information about potential infrastructure locations, this information will be shared with the wider community.

• Are wind turbine components recyclable?

  Many components of a wind turbine, such as the tower and nacelle, already have established recycling practices. However, until recently, the composite materials used in wind turbine blades have been more challenging to recycle because a resin system binds all components together. However, RWE is very proud to have installed the world’s first recyclable blade developed by Siemens Gamesa at our Kaskasi offshore wind farm, near Germany.

• Does RWE have a history in coal?

  RWE began in Germany 125 years ago, when fossil fuels were the predominant source of energy. Our company has embraced the renewable energy transition and is now a leading supplier of renewables worldwide. Most of our core business is green electricity, with RWE wind farms, solar power and battery storage facilities in many countries around the world. We are committed to investing more than 50 billion Euro in renewables globally by 2030.

  To get in touch about the Campbells Bridge Wind Farm people are invited to email or call.

  Campbells Bridge Wind Farm team

  RWE Renewables Australia Pty Ltd.

  Suite 5, Level 9
  350 Collins Street
  Melbourne, 3000, Australia

  1800 298 624

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