NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY WIND FARM STUDY
INTRODUCTION & VISION
A vision is emerging for the New England to become a net exporter of
renewable energy. Some $10-20Bn of investment into commercial
renewable energy projects is anticipated in coming decades.
The New England Community Wind Farm Study is linked to this wave &
will build on the significant take-up of micro-generation & solar farms.
With a goal to be Australia's second community wind farm with four-to-six
2MW turbines ~ enough power for 3-6,000 homes & $25-$30m invested.
SCOPE OF STUDY
• Identify interest in participation by landholders, residents, local
institutions, community groups & local government;
• Identify interest & the best vehicles for raising investment &
development funds;
• Researching appropriate co-operative & other structures; &
• Determine relevant Australian, State and Local Government
legislation, regulation & programs.
The study will assess the replicability of Hepburn Wind Farm & consider
other similar initiatives elsewhere in Australia & globally.
METHODOLOGY
A series of dialogue sessions will be held to facilitate discussion with key
stakeholders ~ landholders, investors, community members, government
agencies ~ to assess the potential participation & support.
Guidelines & design principles for a community wind farm & its
governance, plus clarification of relevant risks, will also be mapped.
Specialist researchers will consider cooperative structures, legal &
financial issues, relevant government mechanisms & governance.
The Final Study Report & Recommendations will be complemented by
packages of digital media & story documentation of this historic work.
The Study assumes the conditions for a this wind farm exist in the New
England Tablelands, considering wind speed levels & consistency.
BACKGROUND RESEARCH & EVIDENCE
The New England is one of six designated NSW Government Renewable
Energy Precincts due to its high level of natural wind resources ~ also
identified in the Northern Inland Regional Development Plan.
This need for 'A New Energy Future' is recognised through the New
England Sustainability Strategy: a multi-stakeholder governance &
planning process for the Region involving hundreds of stakeholders.
BENEFITS & OPPORTUNITIES
Renewable energy is about stronger regional communities & economies.
Communities all around the world are organising themselves to establish
smart & distributed energy systems ~ meaning local energy such as wind
farms, micro-generation on homes like solar, sustainable hot water,
thermal heating & cooling, plus energy efficiency.
There are two levels to the Study:
1. Creation of a community owned wind farm for renewable energy &
as a sustainable community enterprise & investment; &
2. Development of a model for commercial wind farms to include a
dedicated structure for community/regional investment.
 NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY WIND FARM STUDY
SOME STATS & FACTS accelerate the uptake of community renewable energy projects right
Wind energy is the most affordable form of renewable energy currently around Australia by providing practical capacity-building tools & seed &
availablei & is a significant technology for achieving the Australian investment funding.
Government's 20% Mandatory Renewable Energy Target.
CHALLENGES & RISKS
There are some 1,000 commercial wind turbines under proposal for the Identifying & considering challenges & risks are a key part of the Study,
New England ~ a similar number to the total national installed capacity. ensuring open dialogue & responsiveness to stakeholders. Issues have
been already identified to ensure the guidelines & design principles
Currently more than 90% of NSW electricity is generated from coal ii. While address likely issues such as: noise, visual impacts around the location of
displacing coal & climate change is one driver for renewable energy, just the wind farm, impacts on the natural environment & community,
as important are the environmental & public health issues ~ as coal property values, effectiveness of power generation & access to the grid.
undermines agriculture, biodiversity & affects air quality.
BEYOND THE STUDY
HEPBURN ~ AUSTRALIA'S FIRST COMMUNITY WIND FARM The current Study is the first step in a three to four year journey. Some of
the key work in Phase2 will include identification of possible sites & wind
monitoring, research of different wind technologies, grid connection &
investor/member recruitment.

ABOUT STARFISH ENTERPRISES

Starfish Enterprises is a community entrepreneur network which partners
with communities to make the transitions for sustainability through
community enterprise, collaborative learning & adaptive leadership.

Hepburn Wind is building Australia's first community-owned wind farm. Starfish auspices the New England Sustainability Strategy & coordinates
Their two turbines are expected to be operational in the first half of 2011 the Farming the Sun solar & sustainable energy community enterprise.
& will generate enough power for all the houses of Daylesford.

Flowing on from this success Embark has been launched ~ working to

CONTACT DETAILS & FURTHER INFORMATION
To find out more go to http://starfishenterprises.org or contact
i Clean Energy Council, Australia Adam Blakester | 6775 2501 | 0419 808 900 |
ii NSW Government, Industry & Investment adam@starfishenterprises.org.