We would like to update you on the project design layout, approvals timeline, and community benefit‑sharing program. 

We also invite you to attend one of our upcoming drop‑in sessions on Saturday and Sunday of the March long weekend (7-8 March, 2026) at Tomahawk and Musselroe Bay (session information detailed below).

The informal drop-in sessions provide an opportunity receive an in-person update on the project, meet the project team who will be available to answer questions and hear any feedback you may wish to share. Your feedback is documented and helps to inform project decisions. These sessions are a good opportunity to learn more about the project and discuss topics that are important to you. At the sessions we will display the latest project maps, demonstrate our Augemented Reality tool and show large photo montage boards which help visualise how the project would look based on the current lay-out.

Wind turbine development area map update

At the sessions, we will share the latest version of the indicative wind turbine layout. This updated map reflects changes made to preserve the view towards Mount Cameron from the Tomahawk boat ramp and beach, in response to feedback received at previous drop‑in sessions. Community members told us this view was important, and we have factored this into the project design.

The updated indicative wind turbine layout map shows:

  • A change to the developable area at Tomahawk.
  • A reduction in the number of wind turbines at Waterhouse from 43 to 34 and a slight increase at Rushy Lagoon from 90 to 95. As of Feb 2026, the overall indicative turbine number is 129, based on assessments to-date, compared to up-to 210 turbines in the Major Project Proposal submitted to Tasmanian Government in 2022.
  • Indicative wind turbine locations based on current assessments.
  • Consideration of ecological values identified through community input like eagle nesting areas.
  • An exclusion zone to preserve the view toward Mount Cameron from Tomahawk beach and boat ramp.

The updated map layout map will be made available on the project website www.newind.com.au after the drop-in sessions.

Approvals timeline update

We will also be sharing information about the approvals process, the Major Project assessment pathway and timeline, and the technical studies and surveys required to prepare the Major Project Impact Statement (MPIS) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) for assessment by State and Federal Governments.

This includes an update to the project timeline for a two‑year extension on submission of the MPIS to August 2028. This extension will allow sufficient time to gather additional information through biodiversity and heritage surveys, understand potential impacts, determine appropriate mitigation actions, and prepare the appropriate approval documents. The extension of time ensures the project can developed, built and operated in an environmentally and socially responsible way.

The MPIS and EIS documents will contain the project proposal that ACEN will be seeking approval to construct. Following lodgement of the approval documents, there will be a public notice period during which the proposal will be made available and interested stakeholders can make submissions. These submissions will be considered by the assessment committee as part of its decision‑making process.

For more information about the approvals process, and project approval status please visit the Tasmanian Planning Commission website.

Feedback on benefit sharing programs

ACEN Australia makes meaningful contributions to the broader communities involved with all our projects through our social investment program.

At the drop-in sessions we will be seeking feedback to help shape the project’s benefit‑sharing framework, which aim to deliver meaningful annual contributions to the broader community over the 30+ year project life. These programs are designed to reflect community needs and aspirations and are linked to the project’s final size and output.

For example, the annual contribution for the community stream is likely to be around $1000 per MW of installed wind generation capacity. If the final capacity is 1000 MW, this would equate to approximately $1 million invested each year in community benefits across the Dorset region.

At the sessions we will:

  • Share insights into community needs identified so far
  • Provide opportunities to offer feedback on potential funding streams and governance models
  • Discuss approaches to support community‑led decision‑making
  • Provide information on the community investments made to-date through our $50,000‑per‑year development‑stage social investment program across the Dorset region

We hope you can attend one of the drop-in sessions listed below.

Drop-in session details:

Tomahawk

Saturday 7 March 2026 – 10am to 4pm

Tomahawk Playground, Tomahawk

Musselroe Bay

Sunday 8 March 2026 – 10am to 3pm

Musselroe Bay Fire Station, Musselroe Bay