Project Update Issue #21 OCTOBER- NOVEMBER 2023
At A Glance
Welcome to the October-November 2023 Issue of the Golden Plains Wind Farm Community Update Off-Site Landscaping Program We are continuing to engage with suppliers for the Off-Site Landscaping Program. Once selected, we will advise of the new partnership and next steps soon. The program is available to eligible properties located within 5km of a turbine to reduce the visual impact of the turbines. More information can be found on our website. If you are interested, contact Mark Bruty on 0491 617 649 to book an appointment and have your assessment conducted.
Community Landscaping Program Community Energy Program Energy Audit Program Community Reference Group Open Office 11 November Community Investment Program Community Grants Program Job Opportunities Rokewood Christmas Event Construction Update Changing with the Wind Video
Community Energy Program More than 22 residents have signed up for the Community Energy Program so far. Thanks to Energy Locals, these residents are already seeing the monthly credit applied to their account. If you are eligible and still yet to sign up, apply now to ease some cost of living pressure. More information is available on our website or you can contact Mark Bruty at markb@w-wind.com.au or on 0491 617 649.
Energy Audit Program Ephe (on behalf of Geelong Sustainability) are now conducting Energy Audits for local residents. We're excited to see people taking advantage of this great opportunity with bookings secured for this month.
Ephe’s Cal, completing an Energy Audit for a local resident
This FREE service provides insight into the energy efficiency of your home, and easy tips to help lower running costs. If you haven't booked your energy audit yet, register now!
Community Reference Group Do you know someone who would be a good fit for the Golden Plains Wind Farm Community Reference Group (CRG)? We are seeking community minded individuals to join the CRG. The Group assist in the allocation of Community Benefit Funding and provide a sounding board and guidance for engagement with the community. If this sounds like someone you know, please encourage them to reach out to Mark Bruty at markb@w-wind.com.au or on 0491 617 649
Open Office - Saturday 11 November Come and meet with the Golden Plains Wind Farm construction team at our new office. We will be holding an open office on Saturday 11 November between 12pm and 5pm at Hesse Rural Health. Come get a project update from the team working closely on the construction of the wind farm. Mark Bruty will also be present to answer any questions regarding our exciting Community Benefit Schemes. Feel free to drop by on Saturday or visit Mark any Thursday between 9am and 5pm. If you’d like to arrange an appointment at a time more suitable to you, please contact Mark directly at markb@w-wind.com.au or on 0491 617 649 to arrange.
Hesse Rural Health, the location of our new office
Community Investment Program Expressions of Interest for the Community Investment Program have now closed. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. We have collated all responses and will advise next steps soon.
Community Grants Program - Applications close 17 November The next round of Community Grants are open. There is another $20,000 to be allocated to communities and projects around the region, so scan the QR code to head to our website and download an application form. Submissions close on 17 November. If you have any questions, or need assistance with your submission, please contact Mark Bruty on 0491 617 649.
Job Opportunities Golden Plains Wind Farm is looking for a Site Administrator. If this role sounds like a good fit for you or someone you know, we encourage you to apply now. More information can be found in the job advertisement here https://www.seek.com.au/job/70816020
Cam Griffith and Mark Bruty, project team members at Golden Plains Wind Farm
Are you looking for work on the Golden Plains Wind Farm? Golden Plains Wind Farm is generating employment opportunities - both directly related to the construction and operation of the wind farm and indirectly through increased demand for goods and services. Can you provide these services? Civil and electrical contracting Earthworks Safety and fencing Temporary construction facilities
To enquire please contact: golden.plains.recruitment@vestas.com
Rokewood Christmas Event - Saturday 10 December Christmas is coming to the Rokewood Rec Reserve! Don’t miss out on a fun-filled day for the whole family on Sunday 10 December. This FREE event has something for everyone including a BBQ, milkshakes, coffee, fairy floss, popcorn, face painting, jumping castle, a band, and more! Register now via the QR code above or follow this link https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/rokewoodchristmas-event-tickets-729838646037?aff=oddtdtcreator We can’t wait to see you there.
Construction Update Another exciting milestone for Golden Plains Wind Farm East has been reached with first turbine component deliveries arriving on site. Deliveries of the components from GeelongPort began in early October. Please keep a look out for the trucks as they bring the turbine sections to site. Civil Progress More than half of the turbine sites for Golden Plains Wind Farm - East have now been excavated. The project is well underway with 54 foundations poured out of 122. Works are now operational in all 5 civil areas of the project and continue to progress in preparation for turbine installations expected in early 2024.
Close up of a turbine foundation before the tower base is installed
Good weather continues to support the civil works allowing for continuous activity. Work crews are in full production with various stages of progress active on 85 out of the 122 total foundations. Foundation works are nearing completion in 3 out of 5 civil areas of Stage 1.
Image of complete foundation pour, ready for backfill
Access track and hardstand work is fully active in 4 out of the 5 civil areas with partial works commencing on the fifth civil area. Fantastic progress on access tracks has been made since the commencement of the project and we expect works to be substantially complete before winter sets in next year.
Electrical and Grid Progress Underground cable work has now started on site with 4km of 183km complete. Progress on the overhead transmission line continues as access track works near completion. Poles have now been ordered for the transmission lines. Foundation works are nearing completion on the Golden Plains Eastern Collector (GPEC)/Golden Plains Terminal Station (GPTS) and Cressy Road Terminal Station (CRTS) substation bench areas. Installations are well underway for primary equipment such as disconnectors and breakers. Transformers are being shipped to site with the first units soon to arrive at the wind farm end of the 220kV line. Further off site fabrication of switch building and switch control buildings continue to progress in Melbourne and Adelaide.
Image of turbine components at site
Close up of wind turbine blades on stands
Turbine Deliveries and Installation Turbine components continue to arrive on site from GeelongPort. When the components arrive in Australia they remain at the port until passed through customs when they can be transported. This allows for consistent flow of deliveries to site. The following page includes a list of components that have arrived in Australia. Installations have begun with 2 base sections currently in place.
Components in Australia
Construction Snapshot
Component
Amount
Tower section 1 (base)
20
Tower section 2
20
Tower section 3
20
Tower section 4
20
Tower section 5
20
Tower section 6
20
Nacelle
26
Powertrain
17
Hub
26
Blade
39
82 wind turbine sites excavated
67 blindings complete
61 sets of anchor cages installed
Steel reinforcement installed in 59 foundations
57 foundation pours complete
43 foundations now backfilled
45,000m3 of concrete has been used on site
630,000 tonnes of rock have been utilised to date
Current Access Track Progress Clear/Strip topsoil
Subgrade treatment
Base Course and Pavement
75km of 102km
71km of 102km
63km of 102km
Turbine components delivered to GeelongPort
73% 69% 61%
Changing with the Wind Video See Golden Plains Wind Farm through filmmaker eyes. Two of Australia’s top young film students were given free rein to make a documentary about Golden Plains Wind Farm. Changing with the Wind is their take on our project. Directors Zoe Fraser and Hugo Bittar from the Australian Film Television and Radio School capture multiple perspectives – from farmers and community to the environmental experts helping protect local biodiversity as we tackle the global issue of climate change. They also captured some great footage of Victoria’s endangered southern brolga that we hope will help highlight the need to protect and conserve this iconic species. Take a sneak peek at the trailer here https://vimeo.com/user209024015/changingwiththewind? share=copy or visit https://goldenplainswindfarm.com.au/ to watch the 10 minute documentary.
Frequently Asked Questions How do you address any damage on local roads from trucks to and from the site? Any time you are concerned about the state of any road and its safety for road users, please contact the your local council for local roads or VicRoads for major roads https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/traffic-androad-use/report-a-road-issue When the Golden Plains Wind Farm was developed, we worked closely with the Department of Transport and Planning/VicRoads and local councils to develop the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) for the project. The TMP includes details of how we would prepare for, minimise and rectify any impact on roads and was endorsed by the Minister for Planning. For information on traffic updates, visit our website https://goldenplainswindfarm.com.au/construction/
Office 4 Nexus Centre, 17 Goode Street GISBORNE VIC 3437
info@goldenplainswindfarm.com.au
(03) 5421 9999
goldenplains.com.au
facebook.com/goldenplains