Jump to topic
Update: September 2025
We're no longer actively investigating the development of a wind farm at Dutson Downs.
We considered a wind farm as an option that could potentially help us meet our energy targets, reduce our operating costs and put downward pressure on customer bills.
Our investigations found that right now, a wind farm is not a financially viable way for us to achieve these outcomes, but it’s possible this could change in the future.
This decision doesn’t change our commitment to renewable energy, or how seriously we take our role as caretakers for tomorrow. We’re powered by 100% renewable electricity through solar, hydro, biogas and green power, and we’re still on track to reach net zero by 2030. We’ll continue to look for more opportunities to reduce our impact and care for our environment.
Project background
Why did we consider a wind farm at Dutson Downs?
We’re committed to taking strong action against climate change. We’re keen to find ways of reaching our renewable energy and carbon emission targets that benefit our customers and local community.
We considered a wind farm as an option that could potentially help us meet our energy targets, reduce our operating costs and put downward pressure on customer bills.
Our engagement process
In February and March 2023, we engaged with our customers and the communities closest to Dutson Downs. We asked them to tell us how they felt about the possibility of a wind farm at the Dutson Downs property we manage.
Customer and community participation opportunities included:
- an online survey (paper versions also available)
- opportunities to provide feedback in writing, over the phone, and via email
- community drop-in sessions in Longford, Golden Beach, Seaspray and Loch Sport
- three focus groups comprising our customers, with a diverse spread of demographics and towns of residence
- consultation with our Customer Reference Group
- an online information session
- consultation with stakeholders.
We promoted the opportunities to get involved through:
- promoting the survey and community drop-in sessions through flyers distributed to local shops in Longford, Golden Beach, Seaspray and Loch Sport
- advertising in local newspapers
- social media, including boosted Facebook and Instagram posts
- traditional media – local print, online, TV and radio news
- email – direct email to all members of our Customer Sounding Board
- community news – inclusion in our community newsletter sent to subscribers.
We also engaged with stakeholders in the region including Traditional Owners, government agencies, local councils and advocacy groups.
Our engagement results
The results of our engagement activities showed majority support for making land available in Dutson Downs for a wind farm.
Almost twice as many survey respondents indicated their support for a wind farm as those who had concerns. The focus group discussions and stakeholder consultations also indicated majority support.
About half of the community members living within 25 kilometres of Dutson Downs were supportive of a wind farm at that location.
A key learning from the early engagement was the clear need for more information. Around 10 per cent of survey respondents indicated that they wanted more information before they formed a position, and many of those who indicated their support were also keen for more detail.
The community was keen to learn more about:
- Financial viability
including evidence to demonstrate that a windfarm would be financially viable and provide value for our customers - Details and plans
including likely timeline, on-site equipment, number of turbines, appearance, noise impact, environmental impact, who would operate it, who would own it, who would benefit - Local impact
including evidence that shows how the local community and environment could be impacted
What we did
We committed to learning more before we made a decision about whether or not to proceed with a wind farm at Dutson Downs.
We spoke with experts and commissioned studies to help us understand the opportunities and impacts of a potential wind farm.
We found that a wind farm is not a financially viable option for us and our customers right now. We shared our decision with our community in September 2025.
We’ll continue to look for other opportunities to reduce our impact and care for our environment.