MP urges caution on Scott River wind farm proposal
Liberal Party leader Libby Mettam has reported growing concerns among landowners in the Scott River region affected by a proposed Synergy wind farm project.
www.amrtimes.com.auHere’s the latest I can share based on recent public reporting.
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In late April 2026, Western Australia’s Regional Development Assessment Panel approved Synergy’s Scott River Wind Farm, a A$500 million project intended as a 100 MW onshore facility with up to 20 turbines near Scott River, about 300 km south of Perth. The decision was unanimous, but conditions are expected around environmental and planning requirements, with the initial development approval valid for five years. A separate report notes the approval followed years of local debate and hundreds of objections, underscoring community divisions on the project’s scale, noise, and environmental impact.[1][3][5][7]
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Earlier coverage highlighted continued controversy and advocacy on both sides. Supporters say the wind farm would contribute to renewable energy needs and grid decarbonization, while opponents, including local farmers and environmental watchers, raised concerns about visual impact, floodplain disturbance, and ecological effects.[5][7][1]
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There has been ongoing activity around regulatory and community engagement. Activities include prior lodging of development proposals by Synergy, community consultations, and ongoing inquiries by local authorities and media into the project’s viability and local reception. A related update in late 2025 noted environmental authority and federal approvals processes that shaped how the project would proceed, including considerations about whether formal environmental assessments were required.[7][10][5]
Illustration of the situation:
- The project location is Scott River in WA’s South West, with 20 turbines potentially reaching up to 250 m tip height, feeding power into the Beenup substation before joining the South West Interconnected System, per project materials cited in coverage.[1]
If you’d like, I can compile a concise timeline of milestones and map the key stakeholders and their positions, or summarize what the approval means for local energy supply targets. I can also search for more recent updates if you want the very latest developments.
Citations:
- WA planning approval and details:[1]
- Additional reporting on the panel's vote and local reactions:[3]
- Community reaction and environmental concerns:[5]