Published on Tuesday, 30 September 2025 at 11:23:26 AM
MEDIA RELEASE
Third Major Renewable Energy Project Approved in Narrogin: Shire Welcomes Investment but Raises Ongoing Concerns
The Shire of Narrogin has cautiously welcomed the approval of the Neoen led Narrogin Wind Farm, the third large-scale renewable energy project to receive development approval in recent months and slated to be located and constructed within the Shire, further cementing the Shire as the centrepiece of the emerging Narrogin Renewable Energy Zone (NREZ).
The $650 million project will see the construction of 23 wind turbines and a 100MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). It follows the recent approvals of the $400 million Narrogin Solar and BESS Project in June and the $400 million Narrogin BESS Project in May, signalling a significant economic boost for local trades, services, and hospitality in the coming years as construction commences across the three projects.
Shire President Mr Leigh Ballard said the scale and pace of renewable energy investment in the region was a clear sign of Narrogin’s growing role in the State’s energy transition plan.
“The Shire of Narrogin is supportive of the continued diversification and growth of our region, and we recognise the key role we are playing in Western Australia’s energy transition. However, we remain deeply concerned that our adopted Local Planning Policy buffer provisions – designed to protect residents and neighbouring landholders – have been disregarded and overridden by the State Planning Committee in approving the Narrogin Wind Farm with reduced buffers,” Mr Ballard said.
“We also remain disappointed that, despite strong deputations and submissions to the State and the State Planning Committee, community benefit funds intended to flow to communities once the projects are operational, remain entirely voluntary. The Shire continues to advocate that such funds should be mandated and ideally administered by local governments in partnership with their communities, rather than left in the hands of project proponents.”
The Shire emphasised that while these projects present clear economic opportunities, the cumulative impact of multiple renewable energy developments across Narrogin and surrounding districts must be carefully considered. With six proposed projects within the Shire’s boundaries and at least five more in adjoining local government areas, the Shire has again urged the State Government to take a broader and more strategic view of the cumulative housing, community, environmental, and social impacts.
Mr Ballard said the Shire remains committed to working constructively with industry and government but stressed that the community’s voice must not be sidelined.
“Our landscapes, our farmland, our residents are being asked to shoulder a significant portion of the State’s and Commonwealth’s renewable energy targets. It is essential that community interests are protected, that cumulative impacts are properly assessed, that housing and land development needs are addressed, and that the benefits of these projects flow directly and transparently back to the communities most affected,” he said.
Details of the projects can be viewed at the Shire’s website here: https://www.narrogin.wa.gov.au/live/environment/renewable-energy-in-the-shire-of-narrogin.aspx.aspx
– Ends –
Further information on this media release may be obtained by contacting the undersigned via email enquiries@narrogin.wa.gov.au or telephone 08 9890 0900.
Approved by:
Dale Stewart
Chief Executive Officer
Shire of Narrogin
PO Box 1145
Narrogin WA 6312
Email: enquiries@narrogin.wa.gov.au
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