Pacific Hydro - Local Government

Local Government

As a community leader, producing a source of new jobs without adverse environmental effects has obvious appeal. In addition to being a clean, renewable energy source that lessens our dependence on traditional fossil fuels while helping to reduce the effects of global warming, wind power also employs over 100,000 people worldwide*. This is a figure set to rise dramatically.

Pacific Hydro takes a “good neighbour” approach in all of its developments. Our wind power projects engage the local workforce, businesses and landholders, creating many benefits for their respective communities. We provide an energy solution that has far-reaching benefits at the local, state and federal levels.

*Sources: European Wind Energy Association www.ewea.org; Australian Wind Energy Association www.auswea.com.au

FAQs

How will a wind farm benefit my community?

A successful wind farm goes way beyond providing clean electricity, although that is the primary focus. The development of each wind farm creates local jobs and brings investment into a region. We provide a secondary revenue stream for wind farm landowners, help protect the environment and boost tourism. Our wind farms also contribute significantly to local government revenues through annual rates payments.

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How do you consult with the local community?

This is a key part of creating any wind farm. Pacific Hydro has a strong focus on community consultation and maintains a dialogue with the local community.

We regularly hold information sessions, presentations to community groups and media briefings, to ensure that everybody understands the benefits of the wind farm and that we have thoroughly assessed any and all potential effects of the project on the surrounding land, heritage, flora and fauna.

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Why does it take so long to start construction?

It can take 3 to 5 years to develop a wind farm, from initial site identification to the first energy generation.

Pacific Hydro cannot and would not compromise this long but essential stage of the development. Technically, we allow a full year of monitoring the wind at a potential project site, with a wind monitoring mast checking all variable elements of wind flow, strength and direction.

During this time, we ensure that the output from the wind farm will be optimised but we are also working in the wider community, checking that the interests of stakeholders, including landholders, neighbours and local communities, are considered in the process.

Actual construction usually takes only 9 to 12 months.

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How much electricity is produced?

Each windmill installed at Pacific Hydro’s Challicum Hills Wind Farm produces enough clean electricity to meet the annual needs of more than 800 Victorian households.

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Why is Pacific Hydro so focused on community consultation?

Pacific Hydro’s reputation is critical to its permission to operate. This is why the company works so hard to build community support at every stage of the wind farm development process.

Unlike many other wind farm developers, Pacific Hydro is a specialist renewable energy company focused solely on developing wind and hydro projects.

We are proud that we set the benchmark for responsible wind farm development. We have gained the trust of farmers and communities around Australia as a company that is honest, responsive, and considerate of local needs.

Our company is committed to keeping communities informed at every step of the development process. Our public information sessions, presentations to community groups and local media briefings helped Pacific Hydro develop both the Codrington and Challicum Hills wind farms in western Victoria without a single objection.

For more general information about wind energy view our FAQs

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Challicum Open Days

Ararat Rural City Mayor, Fay Hull:

“Challicum Hills Wind Farm is a major asset to our region and the benefits are widely appreciated both by the landholders and the general community. Pacific Hydro has achieved this unqualified support through a process of extensive community consultation and information dissemination. As a result not a single objection to the project was received, a remarkable achievement for a project of this size.”