After a lengthy debate, a set of guidelines to better help Hepburn Shire Council make planning decisions on wind turbines was adopted last night, but not without changes.

Concerns were raised in the debate that after more than 12 months work, community consultation and revisions, the document did little to protect property owners and communities from turbines.

Councillor Tim Hayes moved an amendment to the motion that under the objectives heading of the guidelines, the statement "to assist with the establishment of wind energy facilities in appropriate locations: be removed because it could be seen as inviting wind companies to lodge applications for turbines.

An earlier motion from Cr Hayes to not implement the guidelines as a whole was defeated.

"It's not to encourage or assist (wind farm developers)," he said.

"All it is doing is repeating information that is readily available."

Cr Don Henderson said he was concerned the document would add another layer to what was already a "complex" planning scheme.

"Why do we need to have an extra layer?" he said.

The amended motion also called for the council to investigate its own method of formulating rate charges for property owners who do decide to have turbines constructed on their properties.

The council's planning manager Sylvester Tan told the meeting that the document was not designed to be legally enforceable but better help the council make decisions on wind turbine applications.

"In my view at VCAT they would consider it," he said.

"However the weight given to it is very limited and negligible."

Despite the arguments, councilors adopted the amended guidelines unanimously.

Editor's note: The revisions include a statement on the significance of landscape overlays and the need to protect them, a requirement for a minimum of 2km between any wind turbines and private homes and a condition that wind farm operators be required to decommission any turbines when they reach the end of their operational lifespan.