Frequently asked questions

Condition 

Proposed amendment to condition 

Condition 4f): All development is to be constructed in accordance with the approved plans (date stamped 24 April 2023) attached to this approval, subject to any modifications required to meet the following requirements:

f) Wind turbine towers are to be fitted with radar-activated lighting (200 candela minimum) that will only activate when an aircraft is detected in close proximity to a wind turbine. 

The applicant is requesting a longer timeframe for compliance, having a 2-year interim period to implement a trial of radar-activated lighting prior to fully commissioning the technology on all 18 turbines.

Condition 8: Within 90 days of the commencement of operations, an Operational Management Plan is to be submitted to the satisfaction of the Western Australian Planning Commission, on advice from the Shire of Kojonup and the Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup, which includes but is not limited to the following: 

a) Details of a suitable arrangement with nearby landowners to enable aerial spraying to be undertaken on any areas of land that cannot be accessed by conventional fixed wing aircraft; 

b) Details of a suitable arrangement with nearby landowners to facilitate the construction of dwellings on neighbouring land; 

c) A maintenance program of all wind turbine components; 

d) Reporting any bird strikes; 

e) Public liability and any other insurance necessary to cover any damage to public land or neighbouring properties caused by wind turbines and supporting infrastructure; 

f) A process to manage and respond to any complaints related to wind farm operations; 

g) The management of any biosecurity risks; and 

h) Provisions to the review of the Operational and Management Plan every two years. 

The applicant proposes a management plan, for approval as part of the reconsideration. The amended condition sought would therefore refer to compliance with an approved Operational Management Plan. This interrelates with amended wording of condition 9.

Condition 12: Within 90 days of commencement of operations, a final acoustic report is to be submitted to the satisfaction of the Western Australian Planning Commission on the advice of the Shire of Kojonup, the Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup and the Environmental Noise Branch of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. The final acoustic report is to be prepared by an independent suitably qualified person and include the following: 

a) Post-commissioning testing which demonstrates compliance with the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, including testing at existing dwellings, based upon the testing procedures and analysis contained in the South Australian EPA Wind Farms Environmental Noise Guidelines; 

b) Measures and/or procedures to address any areas of non-compliance with the assigned noise levels specified in the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997; and 

c) An annual noise monitoring program that demonstrates the wind farm is operating in compliance with the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 in a range of wind conditions and at different times of the day and night. 

d) Annual noise monitoring data shall be published and made publicly available. 

The applicant seeks deletion of this condition, with ongoing noise management proposed in the Operational Management Plan, with the exception of additional noise testing. 

Condition 13: Within twelve (12) months of the notice of development approval being issued, certification shall be provided by a suitably qualified person which demonstrates that any measures identified in Condition 12 (c) have been implemented in full to the satisfaction of the Western Australian Planning Commission, on advice from the Shire of Kojonup, the Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

The applicant seeks deletion of this condition, in line with deletion of condition 12.