What is this about?
This project involves the construction of a wind farm capable of producing 1140 GWh of wind energy per year.
The site is approximately 8,460 ha. It is located north west of Bothwell, and contains a mix of grazing, native vegetation, and forestry. The project represents an investment of approximately $1.5 billion.
The proponent submitted the project proposal to the Minister with a request that it be declared a major project and be assessed under the major project planning process.
Who is involved?
The proponent is Cellars Hill Wind Farm Pty Ltd.
Once a major project is declared by the Minister, the Tasmanian Planning Commission is responsible for assessment, including public consultation. The final decision on whether the project is approved is made by a Development Assessment Panel, appointed by the Commission.
How long will it take?
Once the Commission has decided the assessment criteria, the proponent prepares a Major Project Impact Statement, which may take 12 months or more. Including community consultation, a final decision on the project is not expected before March 2026.
The assessment process (including time frames) is outlined in the Commission’s flow chart.
Background
Because of their scale, major projects are assessed differently to normal development applications. There is more detail about the process available on the Development page.
Major Projects normally require approvals to be obtained under multiple Acts, like the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 and the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975, and those assessments are included in the final decision. This enables the project’s complex economic, environmental and social impacts to be properly assessed. Federal Government approval may also be needed.
Lifecycle
The stages of the amendment process are explained in more detail below.
Eligibility, Status: Complete
The State Planning Office (SPO) assesses the eligibility of a proposal to be declared a major project.
Relevant landowners and occupiers, councils, and State agencies are invited to comment on the eligibility of the proposal.
After considering comments received and the SPO’s recommendation, the Minister decides whether to declare a major project. The Minister declared the Cellars Hill Wind Farm a major project on 31 January 2025.
A copy of the declaration can be downloaded through the Gazette.
Formation of Assessment Panel, Status: Not started
The Tasmanian Planning Commission will appoint a Development Assessment Panel of suitably qualified experts to prepare, invite comment on, and finalise assessment criteria. The Panel is also responsible for approving or refusing the major project.
Have Your Say - Making assessment criteria, Status: Not started
Based on advice from regulators (like Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania and the Environment Protection Authority), the Panel prepares draft assessment criteria. The community has the opportunity to comment on the criteria that the project will be judged against.
Proponent prepares Impact Statement, Status: Not started
The proponent’s Major Project Impact Statement must address all the assessment criteria. The Panel may seek clarifying information about the draft Major Project Impact Statement before the formal assessment process begins.
Have Your Say - Impact statement and draft assessment report, Status: Not started
Once the Panel is satisfied that a Major Project Impact Statement contains all the necessary information, it will prepare a draft report. This is publicly exhibited with the Impact Statement. The community has 28 days to make written representations. There will also be a public hearing.
Decision, Status: Not started
Taking into consideration the
- advice provided by participating regulators,
- representations received, and
- issues raised in public hearings,
the Panel reviews its assessment report and makes any necessary changes.
Its final decision on whether to approve or refuse the Project is made public.
