Executive summary

Carmody’s Hill Wind Farm is a major renewable energy project near Georgetown in South Australia’s Mid North. First developed by Georgetown Hills Renewable Energy and now being taken forward by Aula Energy, the project has been supported by MasterPlan throughout its planning and development journey. MasterPlan brought specialist advice, community consultation and planning documentation together through each stage of approval. The project secured development authorisation, reached financial close in 2025 and has now moved into construction. Once complete, the wind farm will add 256.2 MW of renewable generation capacity to the national electricity market.

Challenge

Navigating technical, statutory and community considerations over seven years

A wind farm project of this scale must move through technical studies, government assessment and community consultation. Progress in one area often affects another, which can create extra work and extend the approval timeline. For Carmody’s Hill Wind Farm, the process unfolded over seven years, with the project team adapting the planning pathway as the proposal evolved.

The early stages focused on securing State Government support and understanding the constraints of the site. As technical studies progressed, findings related to the projects impact led to changes across reports and project documentation. The interconnectedness of issues involving noise, environmental impacts, aviation, water, traffic and visual impacts, meant each update needed to be considered as part of the wider proposal rather than in isolation.

The project also had to respond to changing government requirements. When an alternative transmission line alignment was requested, both options were assessed before the original plan was ultimately accepted. This added approximately six months to the process.

At the same time, the local community needed clear information about what was proposed and how it could affect the area. Maintaining social licence meant keeping people informed, explaining technical issues clearly and responding to concerns as the project changed. Balancing these technical, statutory and community needs was the central challenge throughout the approval process.

Solution

A coordinated planning pathway built around clear advice and complete information

MasterPlan’s role began alongside Georgetown Hills Renewable Energy, helping turn the early project vision into a clear planning pathway. As town planning and strategic adviser, the team helped secure Crown sponsorship through the Department for Energy and Mining, providing important State Government support early in the process.

With that pathway established, MasterPlan brought together and managed a multidisciplinary team. Their expertise covered all requirements; engineering, ecology, acoustics, visual impact, aviation, cultural heritage assessment, bushfire risk management, traffic and hydrology. MasterPlan worked across these different areas to bring the findings into one clear and consistent development application.

This work also shaped the project’s early community consultation. At a local information session in Georgetown, technical specialists used visual aids, brochures and surveys to explain the proposal and answer questions from residents. This gave the community a clearer understanding of the project while allowing local concerns to be considered as the application was developed.

As MasterPlan guided the application through public notification and assessment, questions arose from referral agencies, Council and the public. The team worked with the relevant specialists to respond on matters such as noise, flora and fauna, aviation, visual impact, access and vehicle movements. The application progressed through the State Commission Assessment Panel before receiving consent from the Minister for Planning under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act.

When Aula Energy acquired Carmody’s Hill Wind Farm, MasterPlan’s ongoing involvement provided continuity as the project moved into its next phase. Working with Aula Energy, the team has continued to advise through detailed design, project variations and the proposed transition to licensing under the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act, providing practical options as requirements have changed.

Outcome

From approval pathway to construction

After seven years of planning and approvals, Carmody’s Hill Wind Farm secured development authorisation and reached financial close in 2025. It was one of only two Australian wind farms to achieve that milestone during the year, allowing the project to move into construction.

Work is now underway, with the completion expected in late 2027. The approximately $900 million project will include 42 wind turbines and a 12.8-kilometre 275 kV transmission line, with the option to add a 123 MW battery energy storage system. The construction phase is expected to support around 200 jobs.

Once operational, the project is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to power more than 195,000 homes and add further renewable energy to the national electricity market. Moving from a long and detailed approval process into construction marks a significant step forward for the project and brings its planned contribution to South Australia’s energy supply closer to realisation.

That progress reflects the long-term vision of Georgetown Hills Renewable Energy and Aula Energy’s commitment to carrying the project into construction. MasterPlan is proud to have worked alongside both organisations and thanks them for the opportunity to contribute to Carmody’s Hill Wind Farm.