144MW, Tasmania
Cattle Hill Wind Farm is located on the eastern shore of Lake Echo on the southern side of the Central Plateau of Tasmania and connects into TasNetwork’s transmission network at the adjacent Waddamana Substation.
Construction was completed in 2020 with installation of 48 Goldwind GW140 3S turbines, each standing at 170 metres in height.
The project output of 144MW is equivalent to the consumption of approximately 63,500 Tasmanian homes, increasing the State’s renewable energy.
Status: Operational
Asset: Wind
Capacity: 144MW
Location: Lake Echo, TAS
Local Council: Central Highlands Council
Partners: 100% Atmos Renewables
The project was assessed under the following legislation:
Project approvals have been issued by the Central Highlands Council, the Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy, as follows:
Additional approvals are associated with the transport of over-dimensional equipment to the project site, access across crown lands, grid connection, conservation covenants for offsets and biodiversity aspects.
The conditions of the respective approvals must be complied with in undertaking the project. The conditions cover the entire project cycle, including construction, operation, decommissioning, environmental and administra
Cattle Hill Wind Farm is committed to ensuring the responsible and compliant implementation of the project throughout the construction, operations and decommissioning phases. This commitment addresses the social and environmental impacts of the project through the application of:
Potential social and environmental impacts have been comprehensively assessed. The planning approvals set out conditions for the project. The environmental management system being developed will include a broad range of measures to mitigate potential impacts and ensure compliance with all conditions of the planning approvals.
Our environmental management is incorporated into all aspects of the project’s delivery. Environmental processes and systems will be regularly reviewed to ensure responsible implementation of the project.
Key elements of our environmental management system will include:
Condition 6A – Collision and Avoidance Detection Plan
Identiflight at Cattle Hill wind farm
The Collision Avoidance and Detection Plan is required under Condition 6A of the Commonwealth EPBC
approval 2009/4839 for the Cattle Hill Wind Farm. The Plan was approved on 29 May 2018, see here.
Condition 6C – Assessment of IDF Avian Detection System
The assessment report provides comprehensive information on IDF and results of the trial period at CHWF. The final report can be found here.
Any enquiries in relation to the report should be directed to info@cattlehillwindfarm.com
Condition 11 – Revised Collision and Avoidance Detection Plan (CADP)
A revised CADP was submitted for the Department’s review on 3 August 2022. Comments were received and the CADP has been updated and submitted in June 2025.
The updated and revised CADP provides details of an additional IDF unit that further reduces risk to WTE. It is able to draw on almost 5 years of CHWF operations data.
Conditions 16 and 17 – Eagle Research Funding Plan
Condition 16 requires provision of a Plan for Ministers approval to fund research to inform the long-term conservation of the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle. The EPBC Approval Condition 16 Note 1, provides that specific plans approved by the Tasmanian EPA may satisfy the requirements for the Plan required under Conditions 16 and 17. The following Plans have been approved by the Minister (under delegated Authority), see here.
Condition 17 of the EPBC Approval requires the implementation of the approved research plan prior to commissioning of the wind farm.
The third Annual Report for the Wedge-tailed Eagle Research Fund from September 2022 can be found here.
Condition 22 – Weed Management Strategy
The Weed Management Strategy is required under to Condition 22 of the Commonwealth EPBC approval 2009/4839 for the Cattle Hill Wind Farm. The Plan was approved on 14 December 2017, see here.
Condition 23 – Flora Offset Strategy and Management Plan
The Flora Offset Strategy is required under Condition 23(a) of the EPBC Approval 2009/4839 for the Cattle Hill Wind Farm. The Strategy was approved on 12 March 2018, see here.
The Flora Offset Management Plan is required under Condition 23(c) of the EPBC Approval 2009/4839 for the Cattle Hill Wind Farm. The Management Plan was approved on 10 August 2019, see here.
Condition 27 – Annual Compliance Report
The 2025 report is available here.
The 2024 report is available here.
The fifth annual compliance report for Cattle Hill Wind Farm required under Condition 27 of the EPBC Approval 2009/4839 was submitted to the Department on 9 November 2023 is available here.
The 2022 report is available here.
The 2021 report is available here.
The 2020 report is available here.
The 2019 report is available here.
The Cattle Hill Community Fund aims to share the benefits of Cattle Hill Wind Farm by investing in the communities around the wind farm. The funds are intended to provide financial support to community groups, organisations and projects that provide a lasting benefit to a broad proportion of the local community.
The annual allocation of funding is a voluntary contribution from Cattle Hill Wind Farm.
Applications open in August each year.
Please download application form and supporting information below.
Downloads
Atmos Renewables supports the communities around our projects in various ways including community benefit funds and sponsorship opportunities.
Communities can apply for grants through formal processes or request sponsorship for a worthy cause or event in the local area.