Wyndham wind farm draws opposition
A group of Southland residents are preparing to unite to protest against a proposed wind farm near Wyndham.
Wind Prospect announced in March its plans for the Slopedown wind farm to be built about 15km east of Wyndham, though it is still in the early stages of planning.
However, concerned residents are preparing to form an incorporated society this month to object against it.
Le Potager owner Johanna Stewart opposed the wind farm, saying it would be all too close to her restaurant and garden in Wyndham.
“It’s a real bug-bear,” she said.
Slopedown Wind Farm development manager Doreen Marchesan said she expected some people would object to the wind farm.
“From the feedback we’ve got people are concerned with the visual impact it might have with the land … and the noise impact,” she said.
The noise concerns were not an issue as any turbine would be at least 2km away from any residence, she said.
The wind farm would accommodate up to 50 turbines and generate up to 150MW of renewable energy, enough to supply about 73,900 average New Zealand homes.
A resource consent application for the wind farm is expected to be submitted to the Southland District Council in February next year.
By Kylie Wilson
4 October 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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