May 25, 2007
Australia
Australia
The number of turbines proposed as part of the Tuki Wind Farm project could increase.
Wind Power, the company behind the 19-turbine proposal near Smeaton and Campbelltown, confirmed yesterday it was looking at the Clunes Ullina Rd as a possible location for more.
The company’s director Andrew Newbold said if the Clunes Ullina Rd was considered a suitable location for more turbines, the turbines would come under the Tuki proposal.
However Mr Newbold stressed that if the consultation process showed strong community opposition, the number of turbines could potentially be lower.
“There won’t be a separate process in that area. It will all be under one umbrella,” he said.
“The area is being consulted and it’s an area of possibility and an area of interest. It will be something that we’re responding to the community on.
“But we have got to honour the consultation process. It may be less than what’s proposed on the website, it may be more. It’s really in the hands of the community and as a company we will respect and respond to their wishes.”
The development has alarmed some members of the Smeaton community behind a campaign to defeat the proposal.
The Spa Country Landscape Guardians group said the company was trying to increase the number of turbines by stealth.
“It appears the Tuki project is to be abandoned and will be replaced by a larger scheme stretching from Clunes to Smeaton,” group spokesman Will Elsworth said.
“On face value it looks like the whole Hepburn Shire is going to be turbinised. We have got excellent support and I think with this happening we will get more support. It will galvanise support across the whole Hepburn Shire against this proposal.”
Mr Newbold said about 16 people had signed up for bus trips to the Challicum Hills Wind Farm as part of its consultation process.
The first of two consultation meetings will be held on Sunday, June 3, at the Smeaton Bowling Club between 10am and 3pm.
Registrations close today for residents interested in attending the Challicum Hills Wind Farm. People should phone 9830 2700 by 5pm to register their interest.
The Courier
25 May 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/05/25/tuki-wind-farm-more-turbines-possible/