Hills of Gold Wind Farm: Proponent ENGIE in talks with impacted councils to enter Voluntary Planning Agreements

Negotiations with neighbouring Tamworth Regional Council to be part of the Hills of Gold Wind Farm Community Enhancement Fund (CEF) are continuing, ENGIE's general manager of asset development, Andrew Kerley, said.

The Tamworth local government could be allocated up to $168,000 per year if the council enters the agreement.

But Tamworth Regional Council's director of planning and compliance Gina Vereker said the council is currently seeking further clarity on the fund.

"At this time council is awaiting further information from the Hills of Gold as well as reviewing information that has been received," she said. "We will update the community in due course."

Upper Hunter councillors voted to accept an offer from ENGIE last month to enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement, but has neither voted to support nor oppose the project.

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At the time, Upper Hunter mayor Mauric Collison said the wind farm was "out of council's hands" and if they ignored the agreement, and the project went ahead then residents would "miss out".

ENGIE has assured residents in the Upper Hunter Shire and Tamworth Regional local government areas that "they will have a say on how funds are spent".

It has increased its commitment to $3000 per turbine per year, which will see up to $210,000 per annum injected into the fund over the 25-year operational life of the wind farm.

Mr Kerley said the CEF would be used to support community projects and events in the local government areas hosting wind turbines.

"This is the community's fund and residents will be fully involved in how the money is spent," he said.

"If the project is approved, funds from the CEF will be split between the regional communities, depending on how many wind turbines are placed in their local government area.

"If the project is approved, a dedicated community committee, made up of residents and council members and an independent chair, will be created in each local government area to determine how the money is spent."

A Voluntary Planning Agreement, which will govern how the CEF is administered, will be prepared and be put on public exhibition for the community to have its say, ENGIE said.

The proponent is expected to lodge its Response to Public Submissions by the end of September.

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