THE state government has approved a $484 million wind farm in Victoria's Western District.
Planning Minister Justin Madden yesterday approved three planning applications after receiving advice from an independent panel.
The 5000-hectare wind farm, at Berrybank near Lismore, is expected to create 250 jobs and generate 247.5 megawatts of energy - enough to power about 171,000 homes.
It will have 99 turbines, with an average tower height of 80 metres. When the blade is at its highest point it will be 131 metres tall.
Premier John Brumby yesterday conceded some people opposed the project.
''But I think it is the fact with every major development there will always be a range of views about it,'' he said.
Mr Madden said conditions had been put on the permits to reduce the visual and environmental impact of the towers.
The government's recent climate change white paper set a target for up to 25 per cent of the state's power to come from renewable sources by 2020.
Mr Brumby released the paper during the federal election campaign in a bid to boost the government's green credentials in the lead-up to November's state election.
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