Gelliondale Wind Farm Approved, Advancing Renewable Energy in Gippsland

Beveridge Williams is pleased to announce the approval of the Gelliondale Wind Farm, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of renewable energy infrastructure in regional Victoria.

Approved by the Minister for Planning on 7 May 2026, the project enables the development of an 80 MW wind energy facility in Gippsland. Beveridge Williams acted as Town Planning consultant to Synergy Wind, guiding the project through the statutory planning approvals process and contributing to its successful outcome.

The Gelliondale Wind Farm will comprise up to 13 turbines across approximately 1,500 hectares of agricultural land, generating around 300,000 MWh of clean energy annually, enough to power approximately 37,000 homes. A defining feature of the project is its integration with a 40 MW battery energy storage system (BESS). This co-location of generation and storage reflects a broader shift in the renewable energy sector toward more flexible and resilient energy systems that improve grid reliability and support increased renewable penetration. As renewable energy projects increasingly incorporate battery storage and refined design responses, developments such as Gelliondale highlight the industry’s direction toward integrated, adaptable, and more resilient energy solutions.

Projects of this scale require a comprehensive planning approach that carefully balances landscape, environmental, cultural heritage, and amenity considerations. The Gelliondale outcome reflects extensive technical work, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration over several years. Originally conceived as a larger 34-turbine development, the earlier proposal faced planning challenges relating to proximity to dwellings. In response, the project was substantially redesigned and refined, resulting in the current 13-turbine layout. This evolution demonstrates how large-scale renewable energy projects are increasingly being shaped by planning policy, technical assessment, and community feedback.

Beyond its contribution to clean energy generation, the project is expected to deliver broader regional benefits, including investment in Gippsland and local employment opportunities during construction and operation. The approval also reinforces growing confidence in utility-scale renewable energy development across regional Australia. Gippsland continues to emerge as a key hub for renewable energy investment, supported by its existing infrastructure and strategic importance within the state’s energy network.

The Gelliondale Wind Farm remains subject to further approvals under the Commonwealth environmental framework, with the proponent progressing assessment under the EPBC Act.

Beveridge Williams is proud to have supported Synergy Wind and the broader consultant team in achieving this milestone and to contribute to projects that are central to Australia’s transition to a low-carbon energy future.

Image: Hansen Partnership, Gelliondale Wind Farm Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment