Golden Plains Wind Farm Project Update #14

NEWSLETTER JUNE / 2021 / ISSUE #14 WELCOME & PROJECT UPDATE Welcome to Issue 14 of the Golden Plains Wind Farm Newsletter.

It is hard to believe that we are already at the half-way mark of the year, and we have certainly packed plenty of project activity into the first six months of 2021. More activity is starting to take place on-site with further geotechnical investigations underway. Behind the scenes we are working closely with stakeholders to identify the upgrade and maintenance works required for the road network around the Project site and finalise our traffic management plan.

In the community, we have enjoyed supporting a number of events and are pleased to award a further $10,000 in grants to six fantastic local projects that will greatly benefit the local community.

As we continue to progress our detailed design and move closer to commencment of construction, one of the most common enquiries we receive is regarding employment on the project. The Golden Plains Wind Farm is estimated to create more than 700 direct and indirect jobs during construction and 40 ongoing direct operational jobs. The project will generate employment opportunities both directly related to the construction and operation of the wind farm and indirectly through increased demand for goods and services. The direct employment opportunities throughout construction will cover a wide range of industries, from civil and electrical contracting, earthworks, temporary construction facilities, safety and fencing, right through to accommodation, cleaning and catering. At this stage, we are preparing to announce our Balance of Plant contractor and engage with industry ahead of construction, which is currently expected to commence in Q1/Q2 of 2022.

We are committed to maximising industry engagement with our regional community, no matter how big or small a business may be. If you are a small/ medium enterprise or an independent contractor in our region and wish to register your interest in our project, please visit https://goldenplainswindfarm.com.au/ employment.

As always, we invite you to get in touch with us with any questions you have about the Golden Plains Wind Farm project. We are looking forward to working with each of you and seeing you around the community in the coming months.

GOLDEN PLAINS WIND FARM INDICATIVE TIMELINE *Timeline is indicative and represents best case scenario and is subject to change.

2005 - 2015

Pre-Feasibility & Wind Monitoring Landholder Commitment & Option Agreement.

Site Boundary Confirmed.

Wind Monitoring Indicative Turbine Layout.

2016 - 2017

Project Feasibility Optimisation of Turbine Layout.

Environmental Studies.

Planning Studies.

Grid Studies.

Cultural Heritage.

Visual Impact Studies.

UPCOMING PROJECT ACTIVITIES • Geotechnical investigations are currently taking place at various locations around site.

• Our planning permit amendment application is currently in a Public Notice Period which runs until Friday 2 July. You can find further information on our website at: https://goldenplainswindfarm.com.au/permitamendment.

• The team has been working closely with both the Department of Transport (formerly VicRoads) and Golden Plains Shire to progress our Traffic Management Plan (TMP). Among other things, the TMP will outline the upgrade and maintenance works required on roads in and around the Project to ensure impacts on landholders and local residents are minimised.

• If you have any questions, please contact WestWind Energy on 03 5421-999 or at info@ goldenplainswindfarm.com.au.

STAFF UPDATES Welcome to Grace Cannon and Thomas Darker!

We are pleased to welcome our new Project Engineers Grace Cannon and Thomas Darker to the team!

Grace Cannon joins us as a Graduate Wind Engineer from WSP, following completion of her Degree in Sustainable Systems Engineering at RMIT. Grace’s work will focus primarily on the Golden Plains Wind Farm, and some of you may have already had the opportunity to meet her.

Thomas Darker joins us after completing his Masters in Renewable Energy Engineering. Tom will primarily focus on our early prospecting projects in the coming months, but once construction commences he will be onsite assisting the team with the Golden Plains Wind Farm.

2017 - 2018

Environment & Planning Approval Planning Permit Application.

Community Consultation.

Environmental Referrals.

Environment Effect Statement.

2018 - 2022

2022 - 2051

Detailed Design & Securing Finance Design & Drawings.

Project Costing.

Securing Investment.

Pre-construction approvals.

Grid connection agreement.

Construction & Operation Ground Breaking.

Civil & Electrical Works.

Turbine Installation & Commissioning.

COMMUNITY REFERENCE GROUP The Golden Plains Wind Farm values our connections to the local community, and we are excited to continue building relationships with the new Community Reference Group members.

The new members of the group are Peter Clifton, Ben Cook, Suzanne Kirby, Carolyn Rankin and Jo Sibbison.

The returning members of the group are Bryan Vincent, Margaret Bufton, Pam Bailey, Halleshia Rumler, and Sophie Whitlock.

PURPOSE OF THE CRG

The Community Reference Group is an advisory body for the Golden Plains Wind Farm that makes recommendations for the allocation of the Community Benefit Fund and helps to ensure that the community benefits from the development. This group also provides a valuable forum to capture community feedback and share project information.

Enhance communication between the Golden Plains Wind Farm and the local community.

Golden Plains Wind Farm would also like to thank outgoing members Nicole Griffith, Robert Hill and Wayne Terry for their commitment over the past two years.

Foster positive relationships & encourage community partnerships.

Capture community feedback & share project information.

Provide an open forum for discussion of any questions or concerns.

Provide recommendations on the allocation of the community benefit fund.

Golden Plains W i n d Fa r m COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND Large-scale public art, weather protection and electrical upgrades are amongst the local benifit outcomes from the Golden Plains Wind Farm’s latest Community Benefit Fund round.

Six community projects totaling close to $10,000 were awarded funding as part of the Golden Plains Wind Farm’s ongoing commitment to the wider Rokewood region.

The funded projects are: • Cressy Water Tower Public Art - $3,000.00 • Rokewood Kindergarten Outdoor Blinds - $2,500.00 • Rokewood RSL Screen Doors - $1,693.00 • Illabrook Hall Switchboard Upgrade - $1,212.09 • Rokewood and District Newsletter laptop computer - $1,199.00 • Barunah Park Hall Solar Sensor Security Lighting - $230.00 A Community Reference Group, comprised of a cross-section of local community volunteers, assessed the applications based on a criteria of community development, education and training, health and wellbeing and the environment.

Since 2009, Golden Plains Wind Farm Management has proudly sponsored more than $120,000 towards the funding of community projects and events. The Community Reference Group was established in 2019, and has provided funding recommendations for 27 community projects valued in excess of $40,000. An additional $10,000 round of funding will open for applications in October. Please contact us if you would like support in preparing your application or if you would like to receive more information about the community benefit fund.

“We welcome the opportunity to support local community groups that are working hard to make a positive and lasting contribution to the regional communities around the Golden Plains Wind Farm” said WestWind Energy Chief Operating Officer Marla Brauer.

“We appreciate the importance of supporting the great local initiatives in the communities where we develop, and we are proud to be able to provide funding to these valuable projects.”

PROJECT STATUS

Complete Cultural Heritage Management Plan approved for ammended layout.

Now Our application to amend the Project’s Planning Permit entered its formal public notice period on 20 May 2021. Submissions will remain open until 2 July 2021.

Next Appoint wind turbine supplier.

Negotiate a grid connection agreement with AEMO. Secure project finance.

Updates and information We will provide updates on our website: www.goldenplainswindfarm.com.au

GOLDEN PLAINS WIND FARM IN THE COMMUNITY Easter fun in Rokewood It was a perfect day for an Easter Egg Hunt at the Rokewood Recreation Reserve on Sunday 28 March, with over 100 locals coming along for the fun. Golden Plains Wind Farm teamed up with the Rokewood CFA to provide a jumping castle, activity bags and, of course, a visit from the Easter Bunny. The highlight was undoubtedly the Easter Egg Hunt, with the children divided into groups to collect all the tokens to exchange for bags filled with chocolatey goodness. We would like to thank Peter Clifton and the Rokewood CFA team for their contribution to this event.

Also, a big thank you to the Rokewood Recreation Reserve Committee for allowing us to host the event at their facilities.

Dereel Memorial Hall History Day In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Dereel Hall, local historians hosted a special event to mark the occasion and provide insight into years gone by around the region. The history display was presented by Julie Donaghy, who has been researching the history of Dereel for many years and has accumulated many maps, documents, memorabilia, and objects of historical significance. A Flag Raising Ceremony with the Australian, Indigenous & Torres Strait Islander Flags and a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with Wadawurrung Elder Barry Gilson were additional highlights of the day. Golden Plains Wind Farm were proud to sponsor this event and would like to congratulate everyone involved for hosting a very memorable educational day for the local community.

Victorian councils sign up to largest local government emissions reduction partnership.

By Rachel Clayton More than half of Victoria’s councils have signed up to a new partnership that will see them pool their energy contracts to tackle climate change and slash electricity prices so more money can be spent on local services.

The Victorian Energy Collaboration is between 46 local councils and is the largest emissions reduction project by local government in Australia.

The majority of the councils will make the switch to wind energy by July 1. Once all councils are on board, 45 per cent of Victorian council electricity will be sourced from wind energy — the equivalent of removing emissions from 90,000 cars every year.

The renewable energy will be provided by two wind farms in Victoria – Dundonnell Wind Farm near Mortlake, which began exporting power to the grid last year, and Murra Warra II Wind Farm near Horsham, which will be fully operational by June 2022.

Greater Geelong Council is Victoria’s largest council and is a signatory to the collaboration.

Mayor Stephanie Asher said by joining, the council would be using renewables for 100 per cent of its energy use.

“This long-term deal will power our streetlights, libraries and council facilities while reducing emissions and keeping costs low,” she said.

“This is us taking the lead with renewable energy, it is the future, it ticks the boxes,” she said.

Portia Odell, director of the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership, said the collaboration showed the power local government had to “create effective, local strategies with their buying power”.

“That buying power can lead to huge emissions reductions.”

Dr Odell said the partnership would have a “tremendous impact”.

“While this is a small dent, it’s a substantial one and paves the way and demonstrates the replicability of it across the country.”

She added that the inaction of the federal government to formally commit to net zero emissions by 2050 was “fuel for the fire” of local councils.

“We are seeing around the country councils are bypassing the inaction of the federal government and implementing these strategies, we are seeing more and more councils are keen to collaborate so they can implement strong initiatives from the grassroots up.”

This article was originally published by ABC News Melbourne. Rachel Clayton is a reporter for ABC Melbourne reporting on breaking news, business, health and politics.

CONTACT US

Phone: 03 5421 9999 Email: info@goldenplainswindfarm.com.au Facebook: @westwindenergy Office 4 Nexus Centre, 17 Goode St, Gisborne Vic 3437 Phone: (03) 5421 9999 goldenplainswindfarm.com.au