Wind Farms and Landscape Values: National Assessment Framework
Context worked in partnership with Planisphere and Collaborations on a landmark national project to develop a National Assessment Framework for considering and rating the landscape impact of wind farms. The project was a joint initiative by the Wind Energy Industry (Auswind) and the Australian Council of National Trusts (ACNT).
The Framework is designed to assist wind farm developers by setting out a clear sequence of steps for dealing with the assessment of landscape values and identifying potential impacts. It provides greater clarity and certainty about the way that communities can participate in and contribute to the process. The Framework was developed to provide a best practice tool for understanding values and impacts in a way that is consistent with Commonwealth, State and local government regulatory and approvals processes.
The Framework is based on a study of best practice from across Australia and overseas, and was overseen by a panel of experts and exposed to wide community comment, including face-to-face sessions in 18 locations around Australia.
Auswind intends to incorporate the Framework into industry Best Practice Guidelines and monitor its implementation through an industry accreditation scheme.
The National Assessment Framework was deemed the best entrant in the Environmental Planning or Conservation category in the Planning Institute of Australia, Victorian Division Awards 2007.
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