The expected benefits of the CWFA are considerable, and applicable to each key stakeholder group involved in wind farm developments, including developers, community, regulatory authorities and wind industry representatives.

Some of the key advantages, specific to each stakeholder group are outlined below.

Developers:

• Assurance that all legal requirements are being met
• Reduced environmental risks
• Ability to benchmark performance against others
• Ability to independently demonstrate best practice
• Avoidance of unnecessary delays in the permitting of wind projects
• Guidance with development of EMS
• Improved community and stakeholder relations.

Community:

• Increased certainty over the quality of development proposals and projects
• Reduced concerns regarding inadequate consultation
• Improved understanding of the environmental impacts of wind farms.

Regulators:

• Independent verification of performance against best practice at any stage of a wind project
• Increased confidence in wind developers and operators development proposals and site operations
• Developer / operator use of recognised self assessment framework for environmental management / consultation
• Avoidance of unnecessary delays in permitting / approvals
• Information to assist with policymaking.

The wind industry:

• Tool for recognition of best practice in wind projects
• Positive publicity for renewable energy sector
• Improved public perception
• Increased government confidence / self regulation
• Consistency / ability to benchmark performance
• Knowledge sharing
• Access to a range of EMS tools
• Access to the CWFA brand
• Continuous Improvement - over time, the independent review process will be improved to reflect evolving best practice standards.
• Leadership - a model for others to learn from