Wind Prospect recognises the importance of building meaningful, lasting relationships with the communities where we develop our projects. We aim to be positive and responsible participants through respectful engagement and open dialogue.

Community engagement has been an essential part of the Hexham Wind Farm project, from project scoping stage, during EES investigation and preparation and through to EES exhibition, hearing and beyond.

Wind Prospect continues to maintain open lines of communication to ensure the community remains informed and involved at all project stages.

EES engagement activities

The Hexham Wind Farm Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) Hearing concluded on Friday, 22 May 2026, following four weeks of proceedings, including a dedicated week held in Warrnambool. 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to make a submission to the Environment Effects Statement (EES) and to those who joined the hearing, both in person and online. We appreciate the time, effort and thoughtful input shared by community members, stakeholders and experts throughout the process.

The Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) will now consider all submissions, presentations and evidence to inform its report to the Minister for Planning. For more information see our EES page.

Chat with the project team

General inquiries about the EES, project design and information regarding the Planning Permit Application are encouraged at any time. Please contact the team at [email protected] or phone 1800 934 322.

Updates will be posted to this website and sent to our mailing list. Subscribe at Contact us – Hexham Wind Farm

Community Sponsorship Program

We love supporting community projects and programs through out Sponsorship Fund. Here are some of the fantastic local initiatives we’re contributed to.

Do you have a project that could benefit from local support? Submit an application to the Hexham Wind Farm Sponsorship Fund today. Apply Now

Mortlake Kindergarten - $1500

Mortlake Kindergarten was awarded sponsorship funds for science and education resources to support hands on learning in Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) topics. A light box and sensory tools purchase will support children to investigate concepts including light, colour, cause and effect. The purchase of these materials will help strengthen the kinder’s ability to deliver high-quality educational experiences while fostering a love of learning and discovery in a supportive community environment.

Mortlake P-12 College - $1500

Mortlake P-12 College received sponsorship funds to support their Relay for Life charity event. Relay for Like raises vital funds for the Cancer Council’s research, prevention, and support services. It’s a chance for the community to recognise and celebrate local cancer survivors, those going through a cancer experience and their carers, to honour and remember loved ones lost and to raise money to help save more lives. Hexham Wind Farm supported the purchase of barbeque supplies to support the event.

Caramut Farmers Night - $5,000

The Hexham Wind Farm was proud to sponsor the Caramut Farmers' Night - Where Community Connects, an evening that brought local farmers together for a much-needed break and chance to reconnect.

Event organiser Matt Russell said the night was about giving farmers the opportunity to step away from daily pressures. "People's mental health at the moment is at all-time lows and they need a shot in the arm to lift spirits," he said. "The aim was for farmers to enjoy a night out, off the farm and take their minds off the day-to-day struggles."

More than 80 people attended the event, which featured ex-AFL player and mental health advocate David Schwarz. David's honest and moving story resonated strongly with the room and provided a powerful message about resilience and support.

The Hexham Wind Farm contributed $5,000 towards the event and is proud to have provided more than $50,000 to local initiatives to date, supporting programs that strengthen and connect the community.

Mortlake Kindergarten - $2,971.08

The Hexham Wind Farm was pleased to support the Mortlake Kindergarten in the purchase and installation of four ceiling fans. The existing fans were not adequately servicing the space, and the four new ceiling fans mean the kindergarten will no longer need to rely on the split system daily, creating a more energy-efficient environment.

Mortlake Lions Club - $1,000

Sponsorship was provided for the Mortlake Lions Club’s Carols by Candlelight event, which was held on 15 December, 2023. This festive event brought the local community together.

Woorndoo Mortlake Football Netball Club - $3,740

The Woorndoo Mortlake Football Netball Club received sponsorship from the Hexham Wind Farm to purchase a Bain-Marie Heated Food Display. The Bain-Marie will enable the club to continue hosting fundraising events, family nights and other functions that require bulk food service.

Hexham Recreation Reserve Committee of Management - $10,000

The Hexham Wind Farm is pleased to provide sponsorship funding to the Hexham Recreation Reserve Committee of Management (HRRCM) to construct a storage shed. The shed is important to the five existing user groups for the safe storage of equestrian equipment from the weather. This funding complemented the HRRCM's own fundraising efforts – a true community achievement!

Mortlake Gift - $1,000

The Hexham Wind Farm is proud to support the inaugural Mortlake Gift, held on Friday, 15 October 2023 at Wilsons DC Farran Oval, Mortlake. Hosted by the Mortlake Recreation Reserve, the event raised funds for the reserve's upkeep and contributed to the development of new female change rooms and amenities, benefitting participants and spectators.

St Colman’s Primary School - $1,984.62

The Hexham Wind Farm is pleased to support St Colman’s Primary School Mortlake, through the creation of ‘Little Colman’s Playtime’. This initiative will provide a space where young children and families can gather to learn and grow through informal play and social interaction. St Colman’s hopes the area will help parents and caregivers build social networks within the wider community.

Caramut Football Netball Club - $4,000

The Hexham Wind Farm is proud to once again support the Caramut Football Netball Club (FNC). With the nearest hospital 35 minutes away, the club wanted to provide First Aid and CPR training for the community. Thanks to the sponsorship, 15 local members successfully completed the training.

Mortlake Kindergarten - $5,958

Mortlake Kindergarten was awarded sponsorship funds to upgrade the kindergarten sandpit, veggie patch and pebbled play area. The support has helped refresh the outdoor space, providing children with a more enjoyable environment to explore.

Anglicare Victoria Southwest - $2,159

Anglicare Victoria Southwest – Mortlake has operated the Emergency Relief Centre in Mortlake since 2018.

They were recently provided with an office space from which they deliver a range of support services and items to the community including food, blankets and vouchers. Hexham Wind Farm contributed funding to Anglicare for a panel heater, shelving units and office chairs, helping Anglicare continue to provide essential support services to local residents in need.

Hexham Recreation Reserve - $3,764

Hexham Recreation Reserve received sponsorship funds for the purchase and installation of a new 22,500 litre tank and sand (for the base). The tank enhances water access for all facility users, including equestrian clubs for horse showers, and ensures a consistent water supply for toilet facilities.

Hexham Community Association - $3,000

The Hexham Community Association received sponsorship funding to install an all-abilities, portable wheelchair ramp at the entrance of the old school building. With the building dating back to the 1800s, the installation of the ramp now provides access for all community members. The members are delighted that their building is accessible to all.

Ellerslie War Memorial Trust - $3,500

The Ellerslie War Memorial is updating its pathways, improving the viewing area and creating more seating. Funding was provided to support the construction of an 8m x 8m concrete pad, offering a flat area for locals and visitors to stand during the annual ANZAC Day ceremony.

Food and Fibre Great South Coast - $5,000

The Great South Coast is Victoria’s largest food and fibre region, with the sector underpinning about 60 per cent of the region’s economy and providing more than one in five jobs. Hexham Wind Farm contributed $5,000 to the group’s campaign that encourages young people to explore career opportunities in the food and fibre industry.

Sharing the benefits

Neighbour Benefit Sharing Program

Will provide annual payments to the owners of eligible dwellings and/or operating retail premises of up to $30,000 per annum.

Energy Cost Offset Plan

Designed to help the occupants of neighbouring dwellings and operating retail premises with the cost of electricity, with an annual value of up to $2000.

Community Co-investment Program

Subject to sufficient interest from the local community, this program would provide an opportunity for community members and organisations to invest in the operational project and participate in the financial benefits.

Community Benefit Fund

The Fund is expected to contribute $1,000 per year per turbine, for the operating lifetime of the wind farm.

Community Sponsorship Fund

The Fund has been established to support local community groups during the project development phase, with up to $20,000 in sponsorship funding available per year to eligible organisations and community groups.

Neighbour Benefit Sharing Program

The proposed Hexham Wind Farm Neighbour Benefit Sharing Program has been developed in consultation with the community, Moyne Shire Council and other key stakeholders, and is in line with industry standards and government guidelines. If the Hexham Wind Farm is approved, a Neighbour Benefit Sharing Program would commence from construction (via a one-off construction stage payment for near neighbours) and continue once the wind farm is commissioned (Neighbour Benefit Sharing Payments, Energy Cost Offset Plan and the Community Benefit Fund), and would continue annually for the life of the project. Under the Neighbour Benefit Sharing Program there are separate initiatives for those living within 6 kilometres (km) of a proposed turbine and the wider community.

Those with a dwelling or operating a retail premises located within 6km of a constructed wind turbine:

  • One off construction payment ($1,000)
  • Annual neighbour benefit payments (between $1,000 and $30,000)
  • Annual energy offset (up to $2,000)

For those who reside in the local community, up to $106,000 per annum ($1,000/turbine) would be available to support social and community legacy initiatives for the region.

The graphic below illustrates an example of a potential payment structure for a landholder within 6km of a proposed turbine. For more information, including eligibility, terms and payment details, please download the program flyer or contact the Wind Prospect team.