March 11, 2008
Australia

$2b wind farm may generate community windfall

New South Wales Lands Minister Tony Kelly says western region community facilities could get financial assistance if a proposed wind farm goes ahead.

He says the money the State Government receives from the $2 billion wind farm near Silverton may go towards a community fund.

Mr Kelly says he has given a commitment to affected leaseholders on the wind farm site and the West Darling Pastoralists Association that monies raised will stay in the western division.

“As I said, this is not just one small tower or a bed and breakfast that’s operating in the area,” he said.

“This is a massive development in the community, and no different to a whole host of other things whether they be mining or anything else – the community’s got to get some benefit out of that.”

A Silverton resident says it is time some of the focus is shifted onto other residents who will be affected by the proposed wind farm.

Helen Murray, who lives at the base of the hills next to property earmarked for the wind farm development, says nobody has approached them to discuss the project’s possible impacts.

Ms Murray says she would like to talk to the developers Epuron, and Mr Kelly.

“If this wind farm is to go ahead, everyone concerned needs to realise there are other people involved with this other than just the four land-holders who are having these terrible troubles with their land,” she said.

“It’s a rotten thing that’s happened to them, but we have issues too.”

ABC News

11 March 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/03/11/2b-wind-farm-may-generate-community-windfall/