Wind of change drives meeting
Wind farm opponents mustered at Gnarwarre yesterday and called for planning transparency from governments and developers.
Fifty-six people, including wind farm supporters, attended the information session at Gnarwarre Hall to hear cross-sections of opinion.
Future Energy has lodged an application with Surf Coast Shire to build 14 turbines on a 700ha site bordered by Gnarwarre, Mt Pollock and Peels roads.
Barrabool Hills Landscape Guardians spokesperson Kathy Russell said plans for Mt Pollock had raised further fears.
“With regard to the fight at Mt Pollock, it generated a great deal more passion from residents who live in close proximity of this development who knew nothing before today,” Mrs Russell said.
“But also for the people who live further into the Barrabool Hills who are at threat of a similar development in their back yard.”
Mrs Russell said people felt community consultation on the wind farm proposal had been poor.
She alleged the State Government was refusing to release reports on the efficiency of wind power generation.
“We need the State Government to come clean on this information and channel resources to more reliable forms of clean energy generation,” Mrs Russell said.
Victorian Landscape Guardians representatives Randall Bell and Reg Brownell joined Mrs Russell chairing the forum.
Surf Coast Shire councillor and wind farm supporter Lindsay Schroeter attended and said he heard nothing to make him change his mind.
“I made the comment towards the finish that I didn’t hear anything that would make me change my mind,” Cr Schroeter said.
“We should be going more solar, but I can’t see that wind farms do any harm. They’re on about danger to wedge-tailed eagles, now birds are not that stupid.”
Danny Lannen
26 May 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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