15 September 2026
A Public Hearing will be held by the NSW Independent Planning Commission on a State significant development application (SSD-40138508) lodged by Baldon Wind Farm Pty Ltd to construct a wind farm located approximately 45 kilometres east of Balranald in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
The proposed development is located in the Murray River Council and Hay Shire Council local government areas, adjacent to the Edward River local government area. It includes up to 175 wind turbines to be developed across two stages, a 200MW / 400 MWh battery energy storage system and associated infrastructure.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has completed its whole-of-government assessment and has referred the application to the NSW Independent Planning Commission for determination.
Commissioners Janett Milligan, Sheridan Coakes and Turlough Guerin have been appointed by the Commission Chair to determine the development application.
The key issues identified in the Department’s whole-of-government assessment of the development application include biodiversity and traffic impacts.
The Commission has access to all previous written submissions made to the Department, however it is particularly helpful for the Commission to also hear the community’s views on the Department’s Assessment Report and recommended conditions, which can be found on the Commission’s website.
Community members are also invited to make a verbal submission at a Public Hearing on the Baldon Wind Farm to be held at the Theatre Royal located at 90 Market Street, Balranald on Thursday 8 October 2026, commencing at 9:00AM AEDT. Speakers at the Public Hearing must pre-register on the Commission’s website using the Speaker Registration Form. The deadline for speaker registrations is 12:00PM (noon) AEST on Wednesday 30 September 2026. Members of the public may also hear and view the hearing at the venue or through a livestream to be broadcast on the Commission’s YouTube channel.
As the Minister has directed that a Public Hearing will be held into the Baldon Wind Farm development application, merit appeal rights in respect of the Commission’s decision will not be available pursuant to section 8.6(3)(b) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
The Commission also invites the public to make written submissions via the Commission’s website. Written submissions will be accepted until 11:59PM AEST on Wednesday 14 October 2026.
Please note
Registered speakers will be asked to nominate their preference for presenting at the Public Hearing either in-person at the venue, or by dialing in by telephone. Please note that if the demand for speaker slots is low, the Commission may opt to conduct the Hearing 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. These flexible arrangements ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to be heard, while also making best use of public resources