Further winds of change: Policy and Planning Guidelines released

Introduction

One of the key documents for the assessment of wind energy facility proposals in Victoria is a set of guidelines that are incorporated into all Planning Schemes in Victoria.

Following the gazettal of Amendment VC78 on 15 March 2011 ( View our legal update), the Victorian Government has now released new Policy and Planning Guidelines for the Development of Wind Energy Facilities in Victoria, March 2011 (Guidelines).  The Guidelines replace guidelines introduced in 2002 and revised in September 2009.  It is notable that the Guidelines were introduced without any form of consultation with stakeholders and are now an incorporated document in the Victorian Planning Provisions and therefore have considerable weight in the planning process.