Biala Wind Farm
Biala Wind Farm is a 31-turbine wind farm located approximately 6km south of Grabben Gullen on Grabben Gullen Road, 8km east of Biala and 14.5km southwest of Crookwell in the Southern Tablelands of NSW. The wind farm is 100% owned by BJCE Australia, which owns the nearby 73 turbines Gullen Range Wind Farm and 10MW Gullen Solar Farm.
Biala Wind Farm has an installed capacity of approximately 110MW producing enough electricity for around 46,000 typical homes on an average day of wind.
Construction started in August 2019 with the first clean power generated in 2020.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like further information, or if you would like to provide feedback or lodge a complaint about the proposed wind farm.
News
The latest wind farm news is below. You can view archive news here and download our newsletters here.
News item 18/09/2023: Community Fund Survey reveals ‘wish list’ for Grabben Gullen
Biala Wind Farm recently conducted an online survey to research what the community in and around Grabben Gullen believe could be developed to enhance village life and improve community facilities.
The survey was an opportunity for local residents to do some creative thinking ahead of the next round of grant funding.
The Biala Wind Farm Community Fund aims to support initiatives that benefit the local community through projects and initiatives that contribute to neighbouring communities within 20km of a wind turbine on the Biala Wind Farm. For the first three years of operation (2021-2023), community projects within a 5km radius of Biala Wind Farm have priority, so this year’s funding round is the final opportunity for priority funding.
Almost 78% of respondents ranked digital connectivity as a significant issue, with the top four priorities, in order of importance, ranked as follows:
- Digital connectivity
- General community facilities
- Enhanced livability
- Tourism or travel initiatives/infrastructure
Several of the suggestions put forward in the open-ended responses indicate there is scope for local groups to apply to the Community Fund for projects that would be widely welcomed by the residents, such as a children’s playground and beautifying the streetscapes. The need for upgraded community facilities in the town is also clear.
Some suggestions, which sit outside the parameters of the Community Fund, included upgrading and lighting the village roads, which would require Council support. It is hoped the survey will encourage community groups to apply for projects that will be widely supported and improve the liveability of the township.
For more information about the next funding round click here.
News item: 22/08/23: Biala Wind Farm Community Fund Opening Soon
Upper Lachlan Shire Council advises that the Biala Wind Farm Community Fund Funding Round will open for applications on Monday 28 August 2023 and close at 5.00 pm on Friday 6 October 2023.
The Biala Wind Farm Community Fund aims to support initiatives that benefit the local community through projects and initiatives proposed by members of the community through registered or incorporated not for profit organisations that contribute to neighbouring communities within 5kms of the wind farm or, if no suitable community purpose is available with 5kms, then within 20km of a wind turbine on the Biala Wind Farm.
The guidelines and application form will be available on the Council’s website from 28 August 2023. The total amount available for community groups to apply for is $160,302.00.
News item: 26/07/2023: July Community Newsletter
July 2023 Community Update is now available to read and download here.
News item: 25/07/23: Biala Wind Farm cheer the Crookwell Devils on at the Annual Sponsors Day
Last Sunday, Biala Wind Farm Asset Manager Lachlan Lamberton and Gullen Range Wind Farm Gustavo Siqueira attended the Crookwell Devils Sponsor Day at the Crookwell Memorial Oval. The She Devils had a win against the Bungendore Tigers 20-12 and the Senior Devils played in a Grand Final rematch against the Tigers and come away with a win 26-14. Well done Devils!
The Biala Wind Farm Community Fund aims to support initiatives that benefit the community through projects and initiatives submitted by local groups within 20km of a wind turbine on the Biala Wind Farm.
For the first three years of operation (2021-2023), community projects within a 5km radius of Biala Wind Farm will be the main funding priority for the Community Fund. This year’s funding round is the final opportunity for priority funding.
Biala Wind Farm is researching what the community would like to see within a 5km radius of Biala Wind Farm to enhance village life and improve community facilities.
HAVE YOUR SAY HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BWF_CF23
You can WIN a gourmet local produce hamper valued at $150.00. To enter the draw, you will need to provide your contact details at the end of the survey. The lucky winner will be drawn on 9 October 2023.
The questionnaire responses will help form the basis for discussion.
News item: 13/07/2023: Planting the next generation of paddock trees thanks to Biala Wind Farm
Over 400 native trees have been distributed to 18 properties in the Gunning region this year, thanks to Gunning District Landcare and a $20,000 Biala Wind Farm Community Fund grant.
Building on the success of its 2022 project, Gunning District Landcare applied for the community grant to extend their tree planting initiative. Landholders were offered 1-50 trees per property, with weedmats and guards, and these were quickly taken up.
Protecting new paddock trees from stock and other animals is the key to success. Part of the grant was used to purchase rolls of tough steel mesh. A working bee on Saturday 13th May saw participating landholders come together for a community working bee to cut up the steel, and collect their guards, seedlings and weed mat. It was a great opportunity for like-minded landholders to meet one another. The Eucalypt seedlings they will plant were propagated by the Yass Landcare Nursery.
Encouraging landholders to provide steel posts and contribute towards the cost of the guards meant the grant funds could stretch even further. This approach also gave the landholders a greater sense of investment in the project and the trees they will establish. Scattered paddock trees are vital in the Australian landscape, for wildlife, ecological health and productivity.
Gunning District Landcare is proud of its Paddock Tree Project and is incredibly grateful to the Biala Wind Farm Community Grant for making it possible in 2023.
“It is very rewarding to see the wind farm’s community contribution invested in something as important as planting native trees. Applications for the next Biala Wind Farm Community Fund round will open on the 28th of August and I encourage community groups to start thinking about similarly worthwhile projects they can put forward,” said Derek Powell, Biala Wind Farm.
More than $90,000 is available from the Biala Wind Farm Community Fund each year. For more information about eligibility and how to apply visit: https://bialawindfarm.com/community/community-fund/.
News item: 19/06/2023: Book your FREE tour ticket and visit Gullen Range Wind and Solar Farm
Get up close to a wind turbine and a solar array at our next public tour. The next tour will be held on Wednesday, 16 August 2023 at 11am. To book your FREE ticket, please click here. To learn more about our tours click here.
News item: 11/05/2023: May Community Newsletter
May 2023 Community Update is now available to read and download here.
News item: 28/02/2023: BJCE Australia is a proud Red Ribbon sponsor of the 2023 Crookwell Show
News item: 27/02/2023: 2023 Gullen Range Wind and Solar Farm Tours announced
News item: 09/02/2023: Biala Wind Farm back as a 2023 Major Sponsor of the Crookwell Green Devils