The proposed Stockyard Hill Wind Farm will require further environmental studies to determine the impact of local wildlife.

Last week the Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts announced that Origin Energy’s proposed Stockyard Hill wind farm could have significant impact on protected species and communities.

They have therefore determined that the project be subject to “controlled action” under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

The decision will require further environmental studies be conducted to assess the severity of impact on native species and communities protected under the EPBC Act, such as migratory birds and critically endangered Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plains. Origin Energy will also have to determine better ways to avoid damaging such species.

The Western Plains Landscape Guardians welcomed the announcement. “This should be a big wake-up call for wind farm developers who continue to assert that their projects do not harm the environment and continue to present substandard studies to try to back up their false claims,” said spokeswoman Cassis Franzosa.

“DEWHA’s decision validates the issues the Landscape Guardians have had regarding the irreparable environmental harm the Stockyard Hill project will have on rare and protected species in our area. We commend the Federal Government for making this decision”, she said.

“The Landscape Guardians also hope that the State Government will now listen to their concerns and follow the Federal Government in applying proper scrutiny to material submitted by developers,” she said.

In a statement, Origin Energy said it was committed to sustainable development.

“We have already undertaken extensive environmental assessment as part of the development of the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm project. We therefore are committed to whatever additional studies the Federal Government is interested in, to ensure a comprehensive approach to achieving the project’s sustainability. We will be calling on the best professional experts to assist us in this process,” the statement said.

“The Stockyard Hill Wind Farm is a significant project. It is worth investing the time and effort to ensure that the development proceeds on a sound environmental basis," the statement concluded.