In its current form, the proposal calls for the construction of up to 183 wind turbines with an electrical power generation capacity of 330MW – more than three times the capacity of Australia's largest operating wind project.
AGL said its current proposal had gone before a regional DSE panel in February – before federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell's controversial decision to block the Bald Hills wind farm development.
"Our understanding is that the regional review is almost complete," the AGL spokesperson said.
A DSE planning spokesperson said the processing of the proposal was a matter of "business as usual", and the regional review would progress to the DSE in order to allow the department to make appropriate environmental recommendations to Victorian Planning Minister Rob Hulls.
Earlier this month, Victorian Environment Minister John Thwaites said Victoria would not be deterred from its investment in renewable energy, which is supported by both the community and industry bodies.
Energy Industries and Resources Minister Theo Theophanous said that federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell's proposal for a national wind farm code was "nothing more than a blueprint to destroy the wind industry and defer investments in clean energy".
Australian wind energy industry body Auswind has said there is no need for a federally administered national code governing wind farms as it has already created a set of industry best practices that incorporate social and environmental concerns.
The Macarthur Wind Farm proposal has been developed in accordance with the Auswind best-practice guidelines, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Australia's Policy and Planning Guidelines for Development of Wind Energy Facilities in Victoria (2002) and is consistent with the regional Moyne Planning Scheme, according to the project's website (www.macarthurwindfarm.com.au).
AGL said it would be inappropriate to comment on the Bald Hills decision and it would wait to hear the Victorian Government's decision on the Macarthur proposal.
