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Molonglo left in limbo: no news yet on wind farm
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Molonglo residents say they are living in limbo as they wait to hear whether a wind farm will be built on nearby bushland.
Acciona Energy previously EHN Oceania remains tight-lipped about the project to build a 55sqkm wind farm on Molonglo Ridge, which is expected to begin this year.
With no sign of construction about to start, local residents are looking for answers.
“We are glad it hasn’t happened yet but at the same time we are extremely frustrated and annoyed they haven’t even bothered to contact us,” Molonglo Landscape Guardian president Wendy Bell said.
“We want to get on with our lives but until we know whether the wind farm is going in, there’s no point putting money and work in to improve our properties because it could become worthless.
“The last time the company was in contact with the community was in 2005. We’ve picked up bits and pieces from the radio but when we send them registered letters asking for more information, we are ignored.”
Over the past year, Ms Bell said they had been unable to get a straight answer.
Instead, there had been excuses including that site investigations were continuing, Federal Government policy had changed, the company was waiting for the outcome of the NSW election, and that the consultation process had been “hijacked” by local agitators.
“If by ‘hijacked’ they mean exercising our right to protest against something that will have extreme effects on our properties and local area, then so be it.”
Ms Bell lives within 4km of the proposed wind farm and there are properties as close as 1km to turbines.
“No one wants to live near a wind farm. Who would move to the country to live near an industrial site? Not to mention the impact on agriculture and the natural environment.”
She said EHN Oceania had previously stated there was no evidence that wind farms decreased property values, which she disputed.
“The way they’ve treated us is a disgrace. They have a complete lack of regard for the feelings and issues faced by people who are living with the prospect of a wind farm looming over their everyday lives.”
Acciona Energy said in a statement it was “talking with stakeholders, government and the energy sector” about a number of projects including Woodlawn and Molonglo.
“We are also pleased to see widespread public support for green energy generation, as more people recognise the important role it plays in tackling climate change.”
By Cayla Dengate
22 July 2007
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