MT CASS WIND FARM - Ecological
The proposed wind farm site has been in active farm management for more than 150 years. Grazing and historical land clearance has had significant impact on the ecology of the site.
However Mt Cass does have important ecological values. There are prominent limestone outcrops on the site and it has been recognised for its diverse and well-established indigenous habitats. The site includes significant indigenous forest remnants, regenerating shrubland and forest, some threatened plant species and populations of threatened bird and lizard species.
The wind farm footprint impinges on a very small proportion of Mt Cass and impacts an even smaller area of indigenous vegetation. There are 370.8 hectares of existing indigenous vegetation (forest and shrubland) on the Mt Cass ridgeline and south-eastern slopes - less than two percent of this will be disturbed by the project.
MainPower has made significant investment in understanding the value of the Mt Cass ecology and how any impacts can be avoided, mitigated or offset. Measures proposed include:
- laying turbines out in a straight line along the ridge - reducing the need for earth works
- sitting turbines and the road to avoid important native vegetation where possible
- introducing a revegetation and restoration programme
- relocating threatened fauna, disturbed during construction
- pest control
- fencing and stopping grazing on parts of the ridge
- plant restoration, relocation and revegetation.
MainPower has engaged an independent consultant to asses the project’s ecological impacts. The consultant has concluded that the project as proposed will not adversely affect the ecological values of the area. It goes on to conclude that given the mitigation and offset proposals “the overall environmental outcomes of the proposed Mt Cass Wind Farm will …in the longer term, be positive.”