The Wind Farms and Landscape Values - National Assessment Methodology project is a joint project between the Australian Council of National Trusts (ACNT) and the Australian Wind Energy Association (Auswind) funded by the Department of the Environment and Heritage under the Low Emission Technology and Abatement Program. The objective of the project is to provide a sound and transparent, nationally applicable framework for identifying and assessing landscape values, assessing the potential impacts of wind farms on landscape values, site impact assessment and mitigation and community consultation procedures. A brief overview of the project and the background to its inception is contained in the Project Overview Information Sheet.

Stage 1 of the Wind Farms and Landscape Values Project.

In March 2004, AusWEA and the Australian Council of National Trusts embarked on a landmark joint project to develop mutually agreed methodologies for landscape assessment. The first stage of the project resulted in the production of a report which identifies key landscape issues and commits the partners to find national strategies to address them.

Stage One Final Report - Identifying Issues (Download pdf 789KB)

Structure

This project is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage under the Low Emission Technology and Abatement Program. A structure has been put in place to oversee the project processes and outcomes. This project structure includes a Steering Committee with representatives from the ACNT, Auswind and the Department of Environment and Heritage. An Expert Advisory Panel has been appointed to review and provide recommendation to the Steering Committee and the Boards of the ACNT and Auswind. To view the Project Structure click here.

The membership of the Expert Advisory Panel can be viewed by clicking here.

Project Process

The project has been undertaken in three parts;

1. a best practice review of landscape assessment methodologies and develop a draft methodology for consultation. This was completed by early January 2007.
2. stakeholder consultation on the draft methodology. This was conducted from mid February to early April 2007. Further details are in the section below.
3. Finalisation of the methodology after consideration of the feedback received from the consultation phase. This component of the project is currently underway.

A narrated presentation providing an overview of the project has been developed and was used in the stakeholder consultation phase. To view click here.

Project Consultation Phase

The consultation phase of the project commenced in mid February 2007 and sessions were held in all States, in capital cities and regional locations within each State. Details of the locations visited can be viewed by clicking here.

The consultation was structured in two parts. A round table discussion over a two hour period with representatives from Government, Agencies and community organisations, with an objective to capture a diverse range of views. This was followed by an open community house type sessions which was advertised in locally circulated newspapers and via flyers sent to agencies and community organisations. Anyone was welcome to attend the Open House session.

A number of project explanation banners were available to explain the project in addition to the narrated presentation (refer above). To view the posters click on the links below.

Background to the Project

Understanding Landscape Values

Potential Impacts of Wind Farms on Landscape Values

Management and Mitigation of Impacts

Community Involvement

A National Assessment Framework

Also available at that session was the draft National Assessment Framework.

A draft National Assessment Framework has been developed for consultation purposes. It includes a summary table showing the proposed four-step process. It also provides information about definitions, objectives and process. It also includes practice notes to guide interpretation of the steps and make reference to accepted best practice. Click here to view the full document or to view the summary table only click here.

A draft Foundation Report has also been produced to support the National Assessment Framework. This report summarises the key issues in current practice and literature in relation to wind farms and landscape values. A draft version of the Foundation Report is available. Click here to view the report. The document is 40 pages in length.

A Feedback period from the commencement of consultation in mid February 2007 to the conclusion of that phase in early April was provided. Written feedback could be submitted at each of the Open House sessions or forwarded electronically or in hard copy up to early April. A feedback form was provided, a copy of which can be located by clicking here.

Final Project Documentation

The development of the National Assessment Framework for the Landscape Values and Wind Farm Siting project is now complete, and the Framework has been approved by the Auswind Board. The requirements of the Framework have been incorporated into the Auswind Best Practice Guidelines for Implementation of Wind Energy Projects (see Appendix 6 to those Guidelines). The Australian Council of National Trusts will be considering the Framework at its next Board meeting (due to occur in November 2007) with a view to incorporating it into its Energy Infrastructure and Transmission Siting Policy.

A copy of the documentation produced as part of this project is described below, copies of the documents can be accessed by clicking the link provided:

Foundation Report – provides the basis and rationale for the National Assessment Framework responding to the requirements set in the project brief and documenting the outcomes of the practice review that supported the development of the Framework.

Foundation Report

Consultation Report – this provides an overview of the project consultation phase and documents feedback provided at roundtable meetings and written feedback received. It identified recommended changes to the National Assessment Framework as a result of the consultation undertaken. The Consultation Report is contained in two documents (due to their size):

Consultation Report

Consultation Report Appendices

National Assessment Framework – this describes in detailed steps, the processes expected to be applied by wind farm proponents when undertaking landscape assessment for wind farms