Horsham Rural City Council (HRCC) is concerned about the potential impacts of this major renewable energy project on housing, the local workforce, and roads.
Councillors last night endorsed the HRCC submission to the Environment Effect Statement (EES) Inquiry into the proposed Warracknabeal Energy Park.
Through Council's advocacy work and this submission, Council is calling on both state and federal government and project proponents to make the strategic investment required to ensure Horsham and the broader region is ready for this energy and mining transition.
The Energy Park will comprise 219 wind turbines, 5 km northwest of Warracknabeal, and will potentially be the largest wind facility in Australia.
Together with other renewable energy, mining and major projects, the project has the potential to have significant impacts on the region and Horsham.
Council has identified three key issues for the municipality:
- Worker Accommodation
The impact of major construction projects will impact on housing availability in the region, adding further pressure on existing challenges within the municipality relating to social and affordable housing, and short-term accommodation.
- Employment
The region has a tight labour market and a small pool of available workers. This poses a substantial risk to the growth potential across all industries in the region if significant workforce shortages are not addressed and demand for new housing cannot be met.
- Roads
Construction of the Energy Park will require components of the turbines (excluding wind blades) to be transported from Portland and through the lengths of HRCC using Council roads, rather than arterial roads, impacting local and regional traffic movements and road use.
"Horsham has a number of developed and planned renewable energy facilities in the region, and three mineral sand mines under development," said Acting Mayor Brian Klowss.
"Our Rural City plays a key role in servicing and accommodating these major projects, and their cumulative impact presents challenges for the municipality.
"It is important we raise our concerns on behalf of our community in the appropriate manner and advocate for local solutions"
Council's endorsement of the submission will allow for the Warracknabeal EES Inquiry to appropriately consider these issues.
More than 90 submissions from members of the public have been lodged directly to the EES process.
