Weasel Solar Farm
Landowner-led renewable energy that supports local agriculture
Photo: Weasel Hill
A landowner-led
renewable energy project that supports agriculture and the Bothwell community
A vision for a more sustainable future
The Downie family from Dungrove and the Bowden family from Weasel Plains are working in partnership with Alternate Path and Gamuda Australia to deliver the Weasel Solar Farm, a solar project with potential capacity up to 250 MW located 9 kilometres north of Bothwell.
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Together, this partnership brings two decades of experience in renewable energy development, including the successful Cattle Hill Wind Farm, located on the eastern shore of Lake Echo.
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The construction and operation of Weasel Solar Farm seeks to create local jobs for the Central Highlands region and support the Tasmania’s net-zero transition.
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Central Highlands Council approved the Weasel Solar Farm (Planning Permit DA 2025/14) at its Council Meeting on Tuesday, 15 July 2025.
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The Weasel Solar Farm seeks to create local jobs for the Central Highlands region and support the Tasmania’s net-zero transition.
A landowner-led project that is sensitive to local concerns
The Downie family from Dungrove and the Bowden family from Weasel Plains are working in partnership with Alternate Path and Gamuda Australia to develop the Weasel Solar Farm. As established local families, they are committed to sensitively considering the environmental and cultural values of the area and making positive contributions to local communities and the broader region.
Opportunities for training and job creation in the renewable energy industry
The development of new renewable energy projects such as the Weasel Solar Farm will contribute to the development of an alternate industry and local employment base for the Central Highlands. By growing the renewable energy industry in Tasmania, the project can help provide training and job opportunities for communities in and around Bothwell.
No need for new transmission lines through the local landscape
More reliability and affordability of power for local businesses
The project is suitably located within the Central Highlands Renewable Energy Zone and benefits from being adjacent to existing 220 kV transmission line infrastructure. Using this existing infrastructure means that there is no need to build new transmission lines, minimising impacts on the local landscape.
The amount of electricity generated will be equivalent to powering over 30,000 homes. Investing in renewable energy generation will help to meet demands for future local industry and Bothwell's community.
Project Overview
The Weasel Solar Farm is a solar project with potential capacity up to 250MW located 9 kilometres north of Bothwell. The project will be coupled with a battery energy storage system (BESS) to provide further stability to the state’s electricity grid and contribute to the clean energy transition.
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The project will connect directly to the existing 220 kV transmission line running through the site, avoiding the need to develop new transmission lines.
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The solar farm will be constructed to enable the continued use of the land for grazing sheep underneath the solar panels, known as ‘agrisolar.’
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Existing topography and vegetation will screen the project from most views along Highlands Lakes Road.
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The project seeks to provide significant community benefits, including direct investment, construction and ongoing jobs, and other local procurement opportunities.
30,000
Approximate Equivalent
Number of Homes Powered
300
Number of Direct Construction Jobs Created
8
Number of Direct
Ongoing Jobs Created
44,676
Tonnes of CO2-e Emission
Saved Per Annum
262,800
Electricity Production
Per Annum (MWh)
457,929
Equivalent Number
of Trees Planted
Central Highlands
Location
The development area is located within the Weasel Plains, between 9-14 kilometres north of Bothwell.
Project Partners
The Downie family from Dungrove and the Bowden family from Weasel Plains are working in partnership with Alternate Path and Gamuda Australia to deliver the Weasel Solar Farm. Robert Luxmoore and Cogency Australia continue to provide project management, planning, environmental, and community engagement services for the project.
As key project partner of Weasel Solar Farm, Alternate Path works closely with the proponent and the consultants on the planning, development and delivery of the project.
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​Alternate Path is led by Andrew Clark who brings 25 years of experience as one of Australia’s leading lawyers in the infrastructure, renewables and energy sectors, with a particular focus on the development and financing of emerging technologies in these sectors and developing innovative offtake and market pathways for renewable energy and energy transition projects.
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Alternate Path and the Downie family, as developers of Cellars Hill, have partnered with Gamuda Australia, to co-develop and construct Weasel Solar Farm and Cellar Hill Wind Farm (if approved).
Gamuda is a global engineering, property and infrastructure company with an excellent track record of delivering world-class major projects. The company’s core business focuses on infrastructure design, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance across rail, roads, bridges, tunnelling, water management, transmission and renewable energy.
Gamuda is committed to continue the landowner-led principles of the portfolio which will be delivered in partnership with the Downie Family and Alternate Path.
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Whilst Gamuda will bring important technical and engineering skills to the project team, from the outside, the project will continue as in a business-as-usual manner, including its strong commitment to engagement and community benefit sharing.
The proponent has engaged Robert Luxmoore to undertake the project and consultant management for Weasel Solar Farm.
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Robert Luxmoore is an experienced, independent project management consultancy. They offer a variety of services from feasibility through to construction, in core sectors of renewable energy, residential and commercial property development and recreation facilities.
Robert Luxmoore have extensive project experience across all Australian states and have worked on notable renewable energy projects in Tasmania.
The proponent has engaged Cogency to undertake the planning, and community engagement for the proposed solar farm.
Cogency is a climate action-focused planning and engagement consultancy that make complex projects simpler. They do this through early consultation with stakeholders and communities, good planning, deep industry partnerships, and bespoke, practical solutions.
Cogency has extensive experience working in the renewable energy space, handling development and environmental approvals along with supporting clients with community engagement.
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