FAQs

About the project

Q: What is the AGL Bluff Wind Farm Project and where will it be located?

A: The $120m AGL Bluff Wind Farm Project (Hallett Stage 5) is made up of 25 wind turbines located on 1,863 hectares of freehold agricultural grazing land 10km north west of Hallett in the mid-north of South Australia.

The wind farm will be located on six properties that are predominately used for sheep grazing. The location was chosen for its high potential wind harvesting capacity and close proximity to transmission infrastructure.

The AGL Bluff Wind Farm will generate 52.5 MW of power annually - enough clean, green energy to power approximately 26,600 average Australian households per year, with a greenhouse gas emission savings of over 161,000 tonnes per annum.

Q: What sort of environment is the Bluff Wind Farm located in?

A: The Bluff Wind Farm site is located about 10km north west of Hallett in the mid-north of South Australia. It covers an area of approximately 2.5km (east to west) by 8km (north to south). The site is zoned as Primary Production under the Regional Council of Goyder's Development Plan.

The project site consists of a linear range of rolling hills on large land holdings. Farming activities across the site are principally sheep farming and cropping in the lower reaches, which are able to continue in tandem with the wind farm. Wind speed and consistency has been measured over a number of years which provides very accurate information which has facilitated AGL's investment decision.

The wind farm will benefit surrounding communities including Jamestown, Hallett and Burra by providing employment opportunities and business growth during construction and throughout the life of the farm through both increased money being spent locally and employment opportunities.

Q: Is this the right investment for this area?

A: There are many factors that need to be taken into account before a considerable investment such as a wind farm can be considered for construction. These factors include but are not limited to:

• Wind Quality
• Appropriate landscape and zoning
• Supportive community
• Alignment with state and local government strategies
• Availability of existing infrastructure
• Approvals from state and local government plus approvals by statutory authorities
• Investment approval by the AGL Board of Directors.

AGL has a proud history of sound investment decisions involving wind farms and other zero emission power generation. We also have a proven track record of sound management practices in fragile environments including our Hydro Schemes in the Victorian Alpine National Park and ownership and operation of the Heritage Listed 'Rubicon Hydro Scheme'. AGL is constructing a $200m wind farm in the Southern Grampians area of Victoria. Further, AGL continues significant and ongoing investment in the Hallett region of South Australia through its long term investment in wind farms in the region.

Q: What process was required before the Wind Farm was approved for construction?

A: The planning process for the AGL Bluff Wind Farm involved the following:

• In September 2004, the Department of Environment and Heritage issued confirmation that the proposed development was not considered a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
• In November 2004, a Development Plan Consent was received from the Regional Council of Goyder Development Assessment Panel.
• In April 2005, the SA Department for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation issued a determination under section 12 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 that the described areas were not Aboriginal Sites.
• In April 2005, the SA Native Vegetation Council approved the application for incidental clearance subject to a number conditions.
• In late 2009, the Regional Council of Goyder determined that the project had achieved 'substantial commencement'.
• In late 2009, AGL's Board approved investment commitment for the project.
• An Engineer, Procure, Construct Contract was executed with Suzlon Energy Australia Pty Ltd and a Transmission Connection Agreement executed with ElectraNet Pty Ltd.

Construction

Q: When will Bluff Wind Farm be built and become operational?

A: AGL has entered into an Engineer, Design and Construct contract with Suzlon Energy Australia. Suzlon are the principal contractor at the site and began 'pre-mobilisation' activities in March 2010. Construction in earnest will begin in the third quarter of 2010 and be completed by the end of 2011.

During construction, up to 100 personnel will be engaged directly in site activities, with many other local businesses benefitting from these activities.

Following construction, the wind farm has a design life of 25 years. During this time a small crew of personnel (five to eight) will be permanently stationed at the site for ongoing maintenance and operational work, with additional resources called in from time to time to support scheduled busy periods of maintenance.

Q: What will the construction hours be?

A: Normal working hours for construction activities will be between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday. However, construction outside these hours may be required for turbine erection and concrete pours that require cooler, ambient conditions

Nights offer better weather windows for lifting, so some erection works may be undertaken outside normal working hours to optimise safety on site. Any night works will be restricted to low-noise activities. It is possible that there may be some construction works on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Q: How many trucks will us the local roads?

A: An anticipated 1000 truck journeys will be undertaken for the project, with the majority of turbine components arriving in the second half of 2010 and first half of 2011.

A survey of all local roads to be used by project vehicles will be undertaken and these roads will be reinstated to at least the same condition at the end of the construction period. Construction work will be undertaken entirely on the project site, using access tracks constructed with local materials.

Q: How many turbines will there be and what will they look like?

A: There will be 25 SUZLON S88 turbines at the AGL Bluff Wind Farm with a capacity of 2.1MW each. The total output from the wind farm will be 52.5MW. The turbine towers will be 80m high. The rotor blades are approximately 44m in length, and span approximately 88m when affixed in a set of three. The maximum blade tip height will be 124m.
The nacelle is located at the top of the tower, behind the blades, and houses the gear box, electric motor and associated mechanical equipment.

The diagram below illustrates the scale of the turbines that will be constructed at the AGL Bluff Wind Farm.

Turbines will be constructed of materials that minimise the visual impact on the landscape, including coloured finishes that blend with the landscape and which are non-reflective.
The concrete footings are likely to utilise rock anchors in order to minimise concrete and steel requirements. They will be approximately 7m in diameter and 2.5m deep. The top surface of all footings will be flush or below the natural surface level.

Environmental

Q: Will native vegetation need to be removed?

A: Native vegetation (predominately grasses) occurs in a very limited number of places at the wind farm site, and these areas have been clearly identified. The design of the Wind Farm has taken the survey results in to consideration with the result being that minimal removal will be necessary.

A permit has been received from the Native Vegetation Council, which includes strict requirements and obligations. AGL must report back to the Native Vegetation Council twelve months after commencement on site.

Q: Will erosion be impacted by constructing or operating the wind farm?

A: A Sediment, Erosion and Water Quality Management Plan will be prepared by the Contractor prior to the commencement of works on site. Roads will be constructed with locally excavated material, crushed and compacted to form a durable trafficable surface. Consideration will be given to appropriate drainage of stormwater throughout the site. However, the majority of the site roads will be located on the crest of the ridgeline and AGL's experience with wind farms in the area is that such roads allow water to shed naturally from either side of the road onto the surrounding hill sides.

Q: Will my TV and radio reception be negatively impacted?

A: Wind Turbines can interfere with TV and radio reception, and because of this the Planning Permit requires that a pre and post construction survey is conducted. Measurements of reception quality at properties around the wind farm (prior to construction commencing) will be conducted. Following completion of construction, we will conduct the same measurements, and if signal deterioration is observed and there is an impact to reception as a result of the wind farm, then AGL must undertake measures to make good.

Q: Will agricultural farming activities be impacted by the wind farm?

A: The construction work does impact farming activities, however all work is conducted on land that is leased from the land owners. There is no impact to farming activities on neighbouring properties.

Once the Wind Farm is built and temporary construction facilities removed, farming activities can carry on as before.
Building a Wind Farm requires a lot of construction activity. Initially, this activity consists of making access tracks on leased land, areas for the safe use of cranes and other construction equipment, office, amenities and storage areas.
To ensure the Wind Turbine Generator's (WTG) and other infrastructure are adequately supported, foundation holes are required to be formed and then filled with concrete and supporting structures.
Also during construction, increased traffic, temporary changed speed limits and additional signage may be required to ensure that construction activities do not present an increased risk to the community and those who visit the area.

Q: Will the wind turbines impact birds and other wildlife?

A: The overall threat to fauna species is considered to be low as no nationally threatened fauna species were recorded during the ecological surveys undertaken between 2002 and 2004.

Wind turbines, like many tall man-made structures, can present a collision risk to birds and bats. However, the potential for such risk has been assessed during the planning phase of the project through bird utilisation surveys. Further study will be undertaken during the construction phase and potentially, during operations. The proposed wind farm development will also have a low overall impact on the native flora of the site, as it will avoid significant disturbance to any significant native vegetation remnants. The vast majority of the development is proposed to occur on degraded pasture or modified remnant vegetation communities that are degraded, containing introduced plant species.

Q: Will the Wind Farm impact on areas of Cultural Significance?

A: AGL received a clearance from the Department for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation (now called Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division) in 2005 after surveys were conducted with an archaeological consultant and members of the Ngadjuri group. No items of cultural heritage significance were found on site. AGL will continue a close association and continue to consult with the Ngadjuri during the construction phase.

Q: Will the turbines frighten sheep and other animals?

A: Wind turbines do not have any noticeable negative impact on livestock. Animals such as cattle and sheep habitually graze around the wind turbines undisturbed. In fact on hot summer days you will regularly see cattle and sheep lining up in the shade of the turbine towers.

Q: Will the turbines be noisy?

A: All wind turbines generate some aerodynamic and mechanical noise. To provide an indication of typical noise levels, two people can comfortably stand directly under a turbine and have a conversation without raising their voices.

A detailed assessment of the potential impacts of noise from the AGL Bluff Wind Farm has been undertaken by specialist noise consultants. The assessment was based on the South Australian EPA requirements that noise levels at residential dwellings neighbouring the site should not exceed the background noise level by more than 5dBA or a level of 40dBA, whichever is greater. The AGL Bluff Wind Farm must meet this standard.
Post construction, AGL will undertake a noise monitoring program to ensure that noise levels comply with the planning permit conditions.

Q: What about Infrasound?

A: Studies have confirmed that Infrasound from Wind Farms is less than that caused through naturally occurring means.
The studies conclude that there are no plausible links to adverse health from infrasound emanating from wind turbines.

Q: What about the visual impact of the turbines?

A: People's perception of the visual impact of wind turbines can vary greatly. Some people find the prospect of direct views to be pleasing, while others do not like the look of the turbines in the landscape.

There are strict planning guidelines relating to the visual impact of wind turbines on the local environment. Considerations include impact to existing views, colour, blade and shadow flicker, and many others.

The planning process undertaken has confirmed that the location, design and modelling conducted against the measurable criteria has ensures this development meets all requirements as set down in the appropriate standards, legislation and other limitations set by the Development Plan Consent.

Visual impact is reduced by turbines being off white in colour - shown by research to be the most benign in the landscape.
AGL have also listened to and acknowledge local community concerns about aviation lighting at the AGL Bluff Wind Farm. We have undertaken a risk assessment by an expert aviation consultant who has determined that no aviation hazard lighting will be necessary for the Bluff Wind Farm.

Q: What will happen when the wind farm reaches the end of its life?

A: The AGL Bluff Wind Farm is expected to have a base life of approximately 25 years. After this time, the site will be reviewed and assessed to determine whether the wind farm may be upgraded with the latest turbine technology or otherwise decommissioned through a phased approach - dismantling the above ground equipment and then removing it and rehabilitating the site.

When a wind farm is decommissioned, the site can be returned to essentially the same state as it was before the wind farm was built.

Spotlight On...

Steve Martin

Site Manager,
Bluff Wind Farm.