News

After a remarkably long time in the planning and approval process, Synergy Wind has finally received state planning approval for its proposed 80 MW Gelliondale Wind Farm, in the Gelliondale region of south-east Victoria.

Starting life as the Alberton Wind Farm, development approval was first sought in 2017. The then 34-turbine project was approved in 2019, however an appeal through the VCAT process lead to the discovery there were dwellings within 1km of the proposed turbines. VCAT determined the application to be for a prohibited land use and a permit was not issued.

A second planning permit application was made, this time as the 13-turbine Gelliondale Wind Farm, in July 2023 which was later withdrawn at the request of Synergy Wind.

Synergy Wind requested the pause “to allow additional surveys and assessments be undertaken to satisfy the evolving State requirements”, and satisfy federal DCCEEW reporting requirements. A fresh application was consequently made in July 2025.

The now state-approved project includes development of an 80 MW, 13-turbine wind farm together with a 40 MW battery energy storage system.

A sub-station located immediately south of the BESS will connect the project into the existing 66kV transmission line that passes through the site.  

The site comprises approximately 1500ha of predominately private agricultural land situated approximately 7km south-west of Yarram and 3km west of Alberton.

The project still requires a final seal of approval from the federal environmental regulator under the EPBC Act.