October 11, 2006
Australia
Australia
The south-west WA group opposed to the Denmark community wind farm doubts its proponents will be able to raise enough money to build it.
The wind farm committee says the project, near Ocean Beach, could supply up to 60 per cent of Denmark’s power, but opponents argue it will be a blight on a scenic coastal landscape.
The final feasibility study on the wind farm concluded the project will cost $2.6 million, and the committee hopes half that will come from Federal Government grants, despite Environment Minister Ian Campbell’s criticisms of the project.
Peter Mortimer from the South Coast Landscape Guardians says the wind farm would have more support if it was in a less sensitive location.
“Maybe they’d get a lot more support in general, they might even get more financial support and they will definitely get the support of the federal Environment Minister because he can see that this is a classic example in Denmark of how you should not plan a wind farm,” he said.
The chairman of the Denmark community wind farm, Craig Chappelle, expects a prospectus inviting investment in the project will be released within the next 12 months.
Mr Chappelle says the local community has become increasingly supportive of the wind farm, despite the campaign against it.
“According to ABS [Australian Bureau of Statistics] figures, Denmark has the capacity to pay for half the project, to invest in half the project. Obviously the proof of the pudding is in the eating – it won’t be until we put out a prospectus and invite investment that we’ll know one way or the other,” he said.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/10/11/anti-wind-farm-group-raises-funding-doubts/