Thunderbolt Wind Farm

Public meeting notification

The community will be able to have their say in a public meeting on a proposal by Neoen Australia Pty Ltd to establish a 192MW wind farm with up to 32 turbines and associated infrastructure. 

The proposed Thunderbolt Wind Farm (SSD-10807896) is located on the north-west side of the New England Highway near Kentucky, approximately 30 km south-west of Uralla. The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s Assessment Report states that this State significant development would power up to 99,000 homes per year and make a material contribution towards meeting the NSW Government’s net zero targets and renewable energy objectives.

The decision on whether the Thunderbolt Wind Farm will be given planning approval has been referred to the Independent Planning Commission because the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure received an objection from Uralla Shire Council and over 50 unique submissions objecting to the proposal.

Commissioners Neal Menzies (Chair), Bronwyn Evans and Suellen Fitzgerald have been appointed to determine the development application.

The Commission will hold a public meeting on Thursday 14 March 2024 (10:00 AM AEDT start) ​to hear the community’s views. Speakers can attend in person at the Kentucky Memorial Hall (Noalimba Ave, Kentucky), via online video link or telephone.

The Commission is also inviting written submissions from the public. 

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has provided the Commission Panel with its whole-of-government Assessment Report on the proposed Thunderbolt Wind Farm, along with all previous public and stakeholder submissions. The public meeting will allow the Commission Panel to hear from the local community and stakeholders about the Department’s assessment of the key issues – including visual impacts, traffic and transport, agricultural impacts and land use, and biodiversity – and the recommended conditions of consent it has proposed. These documents are available on the Commission’s website.

Anyone wishing to present at the public meeting must pre-register on the Commission’s website. The deadline for speaker registrations is 12:00 noon AEDT on Friday, 8 March, 2024.

Written submissions can be lodged via the ‘Make a Submission’ portal on the Commission’s website. The Commission will also accept submissions made via post or email. Written submissions will be accepted until 5:00pm on Monday 25 March 2024.

Please note
Registered speakers for the public meeting will be asked to indicate a preference for presenting to the Commission Panel either in-person at the venue or virtually (i.e. via Zoom video link or telephone). 

If demand for speaker timeslots is high and Thursday 14 March 2024 becomes fully booked, the Commission may ​seek to schedule a second day. Similarly. if demand for either in-person or virtual attendance is low, the Commission may opt to conduct the meeting either entirely virtually, or entirely in person.  

If either of these scenarios occur, this will be fully communicated to all registered speakers in advance, including how the Commission can assist people to attend the meeting virtually.  Please read the Speaker Registration Form carefully, and provide as much detail as possible. These flexible arrangements ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to be heard, while also making best use of public resources.