RES Australia announced last week that the contracts had been signed for the $450 million project, which will see more than 165 jobs created during the construction phase.

Ararat Rural City Mayor Cr Paul Hooper said he hoped many people from the local area would be employed to work on the project, which will see 75 wind turbines constructed on the hills nine kilometres north east of Ararat 

“Right from my first meeting with RES we made it very clear our preference would be for as much local content as possible and they share that ideal,” Cr Hooper said.

“Obviously our contractors have to be properly accredited and have the experience and all the appropriate pre conditions to be able to get into that sort of work.

“RES created a spot on their website where local contractors have registered. In excess of 200 expressions have been lodged there and Downer, since they're the project managers, are currently working through those applications right here and now.”

Cr Hooper said the timing of the project was good as well, with the Hopkins Correctional Centre expansion winding up

“We've picked up from losing those 450 contractors last year out of the jail … so the sooner this gets going the sooner we're the beneficiary of that activity, it keeps things going.

“I've certainly noticed some people who have punted on buying houses are very, very keen for that to happen.

“It keeps the economy flowing and we need it.

“RES have been fantastic to deal with, their consultation with the community has been absolutely first class, I've not heard a single bad word against them, and from council they've been very, very good in terms of their communication.”

Member for Wannon Dan Tehan has also welcomed the announcement.

"I welcome this $450m investment into the region and in particular the jobs that it will generate,” he said.