PROJECT UPDATE

Penshurst Wind Farm Update - January/ February 2012

Environmental Effects Statement (EES) Update

RES Australia Pty Ltd (RES) would like to inform the local community that the public exhibition of the draft scoping requirements for the Penshurst Wind Farm EES closed on Wednesday 21 December 2011.  RES has been advised by the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) that 10 public submissions were made to this document during this period.  The DPCD are now in the process of reviewing the submissions prior to the Minister for Planning issuing the final scoping requirements for the project.  RES will inform the community once this document has been released.

Once this document has been issued RES will start work on finalising the EES and the associated planning permit applications, with the aim of applying for planning consent for the project by the end of 2012.

Penshurst Wind Farm Information Centre

RES are pleased to announce the opening of its 'Penshurst Wind Farm Information Centre' at 91B Bell Street, Penshurst.  The shop will initially be open on the first Thursday of every month between the hours of 9am - 5pm to give the local community an opportunity to view the current plans of the site, and to ask RES representatives questions about the proposed development.

We hope to see you there at the next opening on Thursday 1 March 2012.

If you would like to view our plans or discuss the proposed development with RES but you are unavailable during the Information Centre's opening hours, however, please contact RES on either 02 9431 7607 or at info-australia@res-ltd.com and we will arrange to meet with you at another time.

'Exploring community acceptance of rural wind farms in Australia: a snapshot' CSIRO 2012

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) recently released a report exploring the community acceptance of rural wind farms in Australia.

This assessment employed a range of methods to gauge the level of support for wind farms, including a literature and information review, a media analysis of newspaper articles, case studies of 9 operating wind farms and semi-structured qualitative interviews with a range of stakeholders associated with wind farms.

The main finding of this report was that there is stronger community support for the development of wind farms than might be otherwise assumed from media coverage.  This includes support from rural residents who do not seek media attention or political engagement to express their view.

The findings are consistent with many other similar assessments including the recent Pacific Hydro polling which indicates overwhelming support for the construction of wind farms.

This assessment involved a telephone survey, conducted by an independent research company, which interviewed residents in 10 wind farm communities across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.  The level of support for wind farms was 83% overall.

The results of both assessments confirm that the majority of regional Australians support wind generation and continue to have positive attitudes towards wind farms in their local communities.

These reports can be found at the following website addresses:

http://www.csiro.au/Organisation-Structure/Flagships/Energy-Transformed-Flagship/Exploring-community-acceptance-of-rural-wind-farms-in-Australia.aspx

http://www.pacifichydro.com.au/2012/01/17/communities-say-yes-to-wind-farms/?language=en

Regards,
RES

Penshurst Wind Farm Update - December 2011

Environment Effects Statement (EES) Update

On 1 December 2011 the Minister for Planning released the EES draft scoping requirements for the proposed Penshurst Wind Farm for public comment, for a period of 15 business days.  This document sets out the range of environmental matters to be investigated and documented in the EES.

Hard copies of this document can be obtained from the Penshurst Post Office, Southern Grampians and Moyne Shire Council offices in Hamilton, Port Fairy and Mortlake.  Alternatively, it can also be downloaded from the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) website at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/ees.

Interested parties are invited to submit comments on the document by 5pm on Wednesday, 21 December 2011.

For further information on the draft scoping requirements please contact Moira Lavery from the DPCD on (03) 9223 5368.

Penshurst Wind Farm Information Centre

RES Australia (RES) are pleased to announce that in the New Year it is to set up a wind farm information centre in the town of Penshurst.  This centre will provide information on the proposed development and on wind energy in general.

The information centre will be located at 91B Bell Street, Penshurst, Victoria 3289.

The date of opening is anticipated to be the Thursday, 2 February 2012.

The shop will have a permanent display in the window and will be open on the first Thursday of every month between the hours of 9am - 5pm.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Wind Farms and Health Impacts

A new review of scientific literature on wind turbine sound and human health has again found no direct link between the sound of wind turbines and human physical health.

The review was undertaken by Drs. Loren D. Knopper and Christopher A. Ollson of the Canadian consulting firm Intrinsik Environmental Services Inc and their findings appeared in an article published in the Journal of Environmental Health (Knopper and Ollson: "Health effects of wind turbines: A review of the literature",  Environmental Health 2011, 10:78).

This review outlined again:

"To date; no peer-reviewed articles demonstrate a direct casual link between people living in close proximity to modern wind turbines, the noise they emit and resulting physiological health effects.  If anything, reported health effects are likely attributed to a number of environmental stressors that result in an annoyed/ stressed state in a segment of the population".

This peer reviewed paper can be viewed at the following website:  http://www.ehjournal.net/content/10/1/78.

Christmas Wishes

Lastly, RES would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and we hope you have a great 2012.

 

Penshurst Wind Farm Update - 1^st December 2011

Invitation to comment - Draft Scoping Requirements for Environment Effects Statement.

RES Australia Pty Ltd proposes to construct and operate a wind energy facility (with a capacity up to 758.2 megawatts), an electricity transmission line, a connection into the electricity grid and associated infrastructure south of Penshurst in South West Victoria. On 8 March 2011, the Minister for Planning decided that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978 was required to assess the likely environmental effects of the proposal.

The Australian Government determined on 13 July 2011 that the project was a controlled action and requires assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 because of potential impacts on matters of national environmental significance (listed threatened species and communities [sections 18 and 18A]). The project will be assessed by the Victorian EES process in accordance with the bilateral agreement relating to environmental impact assessment between the Commonwealth and State of Victoria.

The first step in an EES process is establishing the necessary scope of the EES, which is specified in Scoping Requirements. This document sets out the range of environmental matters to be investigated and documented in the EES. Draft Scoping Requirements for this EES have been prepared by the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) and will be available  from Thursday 1 December 2011 for public comment for a period of 15 business  days.

The document can be downloaded from the DPCD website:
www .dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/ees

Alternatively, hard copies of the Draft Scoping Requirements can be obtained from the Department of Transport Library at Level 5, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne (please phone (03) 9655 8600 prior to your proposed visit); the DPCD Barwon South West Regional Office at Level 1, 126 Timor Street, Warrnambool; Moyne Shire Council's Macarthur Office, High Street, Macarthur; Mortlake Office, 1 Jamieson Avenue, Mortlake; and Port Fairy Office, Princes Street, Port Fairy; Southern Grampians Shire Council Office, 1 Market Place, Hamilton; and the Penshurst Post Office, 31 Martin Street, Penshurst.

Should assistance be required to view the document, please contact Moira Lavery from the DPCD Environment Assessment Unit on (03) 9223 5368.

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the Draft Scoping Requirements by 5:00pm  on Wednesday  21 December 2011. Comments received will be considered before the Scoping Requirements are finalised for the project.

Please send comments on the Draft Scoping Requirements to: Environment Assessment Unit

Department of Planning and Community Development
GPO Box 2392
MELBOURNE  VIC  3001
or by email to: environment.assessment@dpcd.vic.gov.au

For further details on the proposed project, please contact RES Australia Pty Ltd on telephone (02) 9431 7600 or by email simon.kerrison@res-ltd.com

Submissions close 5:00pm  on Wednesday  21 December 2011

Penshurst Wind Farm Update - November 2011

Environment Effects Statement (EES) Update

In October 2011, RES Australia Pty Ltd (RES) held its third EES Technical Reference Group (TRG) meeting with key members of the various State Departments involved in the project.  This meeting involved discussing the preliminary results of various assessments completed to date, and it outlined the scope for further required work for the project.

The scope for further work required for the project will be made public within the draft scoping requirements document, which will be released for public comment by the Minister for Planning shortly.

Penshurst Wind Farm Display

RES are currently investigating options to have a permanent wind farm display in the town of Penshurst to offer the community another opportunity to find out more information about the proposed development.

RES will provide more details about this display within the next months update.

As always, if you have any questions or queries in relation to the proposed development please do not hesitate to contact RES on 02 9431 7600.

Penshurst Wind Farm - October 2011

Environment Effects Statement (EES) Update

Southern Bent Wing-Bat Assessment

In September 2011, RES Australia Pty Ltd (RES) was advised by members of the EES Technical Reference Group that further surveys for the Southern Bent-Wing Bat species are required within the project region for the EES.  These surveys are due to commence in October 2011 and are anticipated to be finalised in early - mid 2012.

Due to the request for these further surveys, it is anticipated that the project will be submitted into planning shortly after the completion of these surveys in mid to late 2012.

EES Draft Scoping Requirements

RES are currently awaiting the public release of the draft scoping requirements for the EES by the Victorian Minister for Planning.  RES will advise when the document has been released into the public domain for comment.

3^rd Community Open Day

RES had hoped to hold its 3^rd project Open Day in Penshurst before the end of this year to show the local community a revised wind farm layout, which would take into consideration the results of further detailed environmental, engineering and technical assessments which have been conducted on the site since the current layout was designed, and the new wind farm state planning policies.

Unfortunately, due to the request for further Bat surveys, which may also influence the design of the wind farm layout, RES have postponed this event until 2012 once all constraints on the site have been identified and where possible, avoided.

In the meantime, however, please do not hesitate to contact RES if you have any questions or queries in relation to the proposed development.

Penshurst Wind Farm Update - September 2011

Environment Effects Statement (EES) Update

In August RES Australia Pty Ltd (RES) held its second EES Technical Reference Group (TRG) meeting with members of the TRG.  This meeting involved discussing a number of key assessments conducted to date for the project and a site visit around the proposed wind farm.

Members of the TRG are now in the process of reviewing the reports of the key assessments presented at the TRG meeting and will provide feedback on these reports to RES shortly.

In relation to the release of the Draft Scoping Requirements for public comment, the DPCD are now in the process of finalising this document and hope to advertise this in the public domain shortly.

Amendment VC82

On 29 August 2011, the Victorian State Government gazetted Amendment VC82 which amends the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes in Victoria.  This amendment was released to solely implement new policies for wind farm developments in Victoria.

Detailed information on this amendment can be found at the following website: http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planningapplications/moreinformation/windenergy.

The most relevant policy within this amendment for the proposed Penshurst Wind Farm is that wind turbines for the project will now no longer be allowed within 2 km of an existing dwelling without written consent from the owner.

RES are now in the process of reviewing the impact of this policy on the layout of the proposed wind farm.  Initial analysis undertaken by RES, however, has determined that despite the new policy a wind farm in the region is still viable and RES are still working towards submitting the project into planning in early 2012.

RES hopes to hold its third Community Open Day in Penshurst in the near future to present the impact the new policy will have on the layout on the wind farm, as well as the results of further specialist assessments which have been conducted on the site over the past 9 months.

Penshurst Primary School and St Joseph's Primary School - Codrington Wind Farm Tours

On Tuesday 6^th and Wednesday 7^th September 2011 RES are having the pleasure of providing both the Penshurst Primary School and St Josephs Primary School the opportunity to visit the Codrington Wind Farm near Port Fairy through Codrington Wind Farm Tours.

The tour will provide the pupils the opportunity to drive through the wind farm site, take photos and stand next to a wind turbine tower.  The tour will also provide information about the development of the wind farm as well as educational information on the workings of a wind turbine.

RES will be able to provide further information on this visit in next month's update.

If you have any questions in relation to the development please do not hesitate to contact Simon Kerrison at RES on 02 9431 7607.

Penshurst Wind Farm Update - August 2011

Environmental Effects Statement (EES) Update

In the month of July the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) established the Penshurst Wind Farm EES Technical Reference Group (TRG).  The TRG consists of the following government bodies:

• DPCD;
• Southern Grampians Shire Council;
• Moyne Shire Council;
• Department of Sustainability & Environment;
• Aboriginal Affairs Victoria;
• Sustainability Victoria;
• VicRoads;
• Environmental Protection Authority;
• Australian Energy Market Operator; and
• Department of Primary Industries.

As stated in the previous update (July 2011) the main role of the TRG is to advise RES on the preparation of the EES.

RES and officers of the DPCD met with the members of the TRG on 19 July 2011 to introduce the project to the group and to outline the 'working draft scoping requirements' and the 'draft stakeholder & community engagement plan' for their review and feedback.

The TRG are currently in the process of reviewing these documents before they are released into the public domain.  This is likely to occur in mid August 2011.  RES will advise the local community when these documents are publically available.

4 Corners 'Against the Wind'

On 25 July 2011, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) broadcasted a report on the program 4 Corners called 'Against the Wind' which investigated some of the allegations leveled at wind farms.  The documentary was an independent report on the impacts of wind farms in Australia.

As such, RES highly recommends that anyone interested in the Penshurst Wind Farm should view this program.  It can be viewed online at the following web link:

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2011/s3274758.htm

If you do not have internet facilities and you would like to watch this documentary, please advise RES at the below contact details and we will endeavor to arrange for a copy of the program to be sent to you.

Project Program

RES advised in the March 2011 update that the proposed wind farm planning permit application would be submitted in Spring 2011.  Unfortunately, due to the request of additional surveys, it now appears unlikely that this target will be achieved.

RES are hopeful however that the project will be submitted into planning in early 2012.

Penshurst Wind Farm Update - July 2011

Environmental Effects Statement (EES) Update

Over the past month RES Australia Pty Ltd (RES) has been working with the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) to establish the project's EES Technical Reference Group (TRG) membership and to formalise the draft scoping requirements for the project.

The projects TRG membership will be made up of a number Government Agencies (e.g. Department Of Sustainability & Environment and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria) and the local Councils (Southern Grampians Shire Council & Moyne Shire Council).  The main role of the TRG is to advise on the preparation of the EES.

The draft scoping requirements have been initially prepared by the DPCD and they are due to be reviewed and commented upon by the members of the TRG by the end of July.  Once finalised, the document will be issued for public comment for a period of 15 business days.  As stated in the previous update (June 2011), RES will advise the local community where this document will be viewable and how they can comment upon it.

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) Update

RES submitted the EPBC Act referral to the Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (the Minister) on 15 June 2011.  A response to this referral is due from the Minister on 13 July 2011.

RES have recommended that the project is considered a 'controlled action' under the EPBC Act due to the potential impact the project may have on the Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (NTGVVP) and on the Southern Bent-wing Bat population, which are both listed under the EPBC Act  and are situated within the proposed wind farm site.

A 'controlled action' would require the Penshurst Wind Farm to be formally assessed and approved under the EPBC Act.  RES believes that the project becoming a 'controlled action' is a positive outcome as it will allow us the opportunity to robustly identify, assess and minimise the potential impact the wind farm will have on the NTGVVP and the Southern Bent-wing Bat.

RES will advise the local community on the Ministers decision of this referral once received.

For further information, the referral's documentation can be found at the following webpage: http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/index.html

Referral # = 2011/5991.

Senate Inquiry into the Social & Economic Impact of Rural Wind Farms

On 23 June 2011, the Commonwealth Senate Committee released their assessment on their inquiry on 'The Social and Economic Impact of Rural Wind Farms'.

The report can be found at the link below:
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/impact_rural_wind_farms/report/index.htm.

RES welcomed the report as a balanced and reasonable review and fully endorses the Clean Energy Council's response to the inquiry which outlined:

• Several findings within the report recognised the contribution of wind energy to jobs in regional areas, as well as its contribution to the incomes to farmers.  It reflects opinions polls that consistently show that approximately 80 per cent of Australians support wind energy;
• The inquiry found nothing to suggest that wind farms directly causes health problems and suggested that symptoms could potentially be related to other factors such as stress; and
• The inquiry did make a recommendation that Commonwealth Government studies into noise and health should be conducted, and the wind industry welcomes this.  We also support the continuing review into the science of wind turbines and health by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

The Clean Energy Councils full response can be found at the link below:  http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/mediaevents/media-releases/June2011/MR230611-Wind-inquiry.html.

If you have any questions or queries in relation to the Penshurst Wind Farm or Wind Energy in general please do not hesitate to contact RES on 02 9431 7600.

Penshurst Wind Farm - June 2011

Environmental Effects Statement (EES)

On 26 May 2011, RES Australia Pty Ltd (RES) submitted the Penshurst Wind Farm EES Draft Study Program to the Department of Planning & Community Development (DPCD) to formally start the EES scoping process.

From the 26 May 2011, the DPCD have a minimum of 20 business days to prepare the draft scoping requirements for the project.  The draft scoping requirements will then be released for public comment by interested parties for at least 15 business days.

The draft scoping requirements will outline the potential assessments RES will be required to complete before the final EES document and the planning permit applications for the proposed wind farm and its associated external transmission line can be submitted.

RES will inform the local community once the draft scoping requirements for the EES have been released for public comment, including details on where to view the document and how to comment upon them.

Lastly, the DPCD has set up a project specific website for the Penshurst Wind Farm which will include details on the progress of the EES for the project.  This website is found at the following website address - http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/environment-assessment/projects/penshurst-wind-farm.

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

As discussed in the last project update (May 20011), RES are planning to submit an EPBC Referral to the Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (the Minister) to ascertain whether the project requires approval under the EPBC Act.  The document is now due to be submitted to the Minister at the beginning of June 2011.

As stated in the May 2011 update, RES will inform the local community on the decision of this referral, once known.

If you have any questions or queries in relation to the Penshurst Wind Farm, please do not hesitate to contact Simon Kerrison at RES.  Contact details are shown below:

Simon Kerrison
P - (02) 9431 7607
M - 0450 699 902
E -

Penshurst Wind Farm - May 2011

Environmental Effects Statement (EES)

Over the past month RES Australia Pty Ltd (RES) has been liaising with the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) in relation to the design of the EES Study Program.  The EES Study Program is a document which will be produced by RES to outline a preliminary list of issues to be investigated within the EES, as requested by the Victorian Minister for Planning.

Upon receipt of the Study Program, the DPCD will commence the scoping process for the EES.  In the first instance this will entail the DPCD defining draft scoping requirements for the EES for public comment. This process is summarised in the April 2011 Project Update.

RES plans to submit the EES Study Program to the DPCD by the end of May 2011 and will advise the local community of the draft scoping requirements for the EES once finalised by the DPCD.  This is anticipated to occur in June 2011.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement Plan

In support of the EES, RES will be adopting a Stakeholder and Community Engagement Plan throughout the EES process to ensure that stakeholders are adequately engaged.  The engagement plan will be reviewed and approved by the DPCD prior to being implemented and will be monitored throughout the EES process to ensure it maintains its objectives.

The Stakeholder & Community Engagement Plan will viewable on the Penshurst Wind Farm webpage on the DPCD website shortly.  RES will advise when this document is online.

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

Under the EPBC Act, actions that have, or are likely to have, a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance require approval from the Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (the Minister).  The Minister will decide whether assessment and approval is required under the EPBC Act.

There are eight matters of national environmental significance protected under the EPBC Act, which are:

• World Heritage properties;
• National heritage places;
• Wetlands of international importance (listed under the RAMSAR Convention);
• Listed threatened species and ecological communities;
• Migratory species protected under international agreements;
• Commonwealth marine areas;
• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park;  and
• Nuclear actions (including uranium mines).

The proposed Penshurst Wind Farm may potentially have an impact on the EPBC Act listed threatened species and ecological communities situated within the wind farm site.  As such, RES plans to submit an EPBC Referral document to the Minister to determine whether approval is required under the EPBC Act.

RES plans to submit this referral to Minister by the end of May 2011.

Penshurst Wind Farm - March 2011

EES Update

As stated in the previous update, last month RES referred the Penshurst Wind Farm project to the Victorian Minister of Planning for advice as to whether an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) is required for the project.    A response by the Planning Minister is now overdue. RES we will notify the community of the decision once it has been made.  Further information on the referral can be found at: http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/environment-assessment/referrals/referrals2009

Further Bat Surveys

Upon reviewing the EES referral, the Department of Sustainability and Environment have indicated that further bat surveys are required on the site, to fully determine the potential impact the proposed wind farm would have on the EPBC listed 'Southern Bent-wing Bat', which is known to fly over the area.

These surveys are due to be undertaken from March to April 2011.

Due to the requested additional surveys, the project development timeframe unfortunately has now slipped, with the aim of the project being submitted into planning in spring 2011.

Updated Victorian Wind Farm Guidelines

On 3^rd March 2011, The Minister for Planning released an amendment (VC78) to the Victorian Planning Provisions and all local planning schemes, which the proposed Penshurst Wind Farm project will have to comply with.  Details of this amendment can be found at: http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-applications/More-information-on-permits/wind-energy-facilities

The key policy change of this amendment is that the Minister for Planning will no longer be the responsible authority for determining planning permit applications which have a capacity of greater than 30 MW (such as the Penshurst Wind Farm).  Instead, the local Councils (Southern Grampians Shire and Moyne Shire) will be the responsible authorities.  Due to the fact that the project is within two council boundaries, however, there is still the option that the project will be referred to the Minister for Planning for the planning decision.

As part of the amendment RES will also have to now assess the noise impacts of the proposed wind farm in accordance with the New Zealand Standard NZS 6808:2010, Acoustics - Wind Farm Noise, in place of the existing 1998 standard.  This assessment, however, is not likely to result in major modifications of the proposed wind farm layout.

Lastly, within any future planning permit application for the proposed Penshurst Wind Farm, RES will have to include a plan showing all dwellings within 2km of a proposed wind turbine, and a concept plan showing all associated transmission infrastructure, electricity utility works and access roads associated with the proposed development.  This will have no impact on the proposed development.

Penshurst Wind Farm  Update - February 2011

Environmental Effects Statement Referral

On 2^nd February 2011, RES referred the Penshurst Wind Farm project to the Victorian Minister for Planning for a decision on the need for assessment under the Environmental Effects Act 1978.

The Environment Effects Act 1978 states that where a proposed development may have a significant effect on the environment, the developer should refer the project to the Minister for Planning via a 'Referral Form' for advice as to whether an Environment Effects Statement (EES) is required.

The Referral Form, submitted by RES, provides details of the proposed Penshurst Wind Farm and includes supporting preliminary assessments undertaken to date on the site.  This includes flora and fauna assessments, a preliminary landscape and visual assessment, a desktop cultural heritage assessment, initial geomorphological assessment and a study on the geology and hydrology status of the site.

This supporting information will help guide the Victorian Minister of Planning as to whether the project requires an EES.  Typically an EES is only required if the proposed development:

• may cause significant adverse impacts on the environment at a regional or state level;
• if there is a need for an integrated assessment of potential environmental effects; or
• if the normal statutory processes would not provide a sufficiently comprehensive, integrated and transparent assessment.

If an EES is not required, the Penshurst Wind Farm will be assessed under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

The Penshurst Wind Farm EES Referral and supporting documentation can be viewed on the DPCD website (www.dpcd.gov.vic.au).

The Victorian Minister for Planning will normally provide a response to the referral within 20 business days, which will be publically available on the DPCD website.

Meeting with Southern Grampians Landscape Guardians

On Monday 31^st January 2011, representatives of RES met with the Southern Grampians Landscape Guardians (SGLG) to discuss their concerns with the proposed wind farm.

RES made the SGLG aware that the project is still in the 'design' process and environmental, engineering and technical assessments are due to be completed within the next few months.

Following the completion of all the assessments, all known constraints will be mapped and the final wind farm layout will be designed.   This design will be distributed around the local community for comment prior to submitting the planning application for the wind farm project.

Penshurst Wind Farm  Update - January 2011

Following the second open day in Penshurst in November 2010, RES are now finalising all the environmental, engineering and technical assessments on the site.  Once these assessments have been completed RES will look to finalise the design of the proposed development.

Within the next few weeks RES are also planning to submit the required Environmental Effects Statement (EES) referral to the Department of Planning and Community Development to determine whether an EES is required or whether the standard planning permit process is adhered to.  Once submitted this will be located on the DPCD website (www.dpcd.viv.gov.au)