July 18, 2011
Australia

Wind farm ruling pits ‘neighbours against neighbours’

ABC News, www.abc.net.au 18 July 2011

Community sentiment in south-east South Australia remains divided over a court ruling which may block a proposed wind farm at Allendale East.

The Environment, Resources and Development Court has upheld an appeal against a decision by the Grant District Council to approve the wind farm development, based on its visual impact.

About 50 people attended a meeting yesterday, including opponents of the development, key stakeholders and the Grant District Council Mayor.

Louise Paltridge, who led the campaign against the development, says there is still a lot of ill-feeling within the community.

“Neighbours of landowners who are going to have turbines on their property feel that they will be negatively impacted by them,” she said.

“They’re concerned about visual impact, they’re still concerned about health and the noise and very concerned about drops in property values.

“We’re seeing this kind of division in the community and we have neighbours pitted against neighbours and that was conveyed to the Mayor that he take that back to the council to let them know that this is a real issue and really raw for the community.”

Wind farm proponent Acciona is now appealing against the decision in the Supreme Court.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/07/18/wind-farm-ruling-pits-neighbours-against-neighbours/