December 6, 2011
Australia

Keyneton wind farm layout downsized

Michelle O'Reilly, Herald, www.barossaherald.com.au 6 December 2011

Modifications have been made to the wind farm earmarked for the Sedan ranges, near Keyneton.

According to Victorian-based developers Pacific Hydro, the changes come about due to community consultation.

The company has downsized the amount of wind turbines from 57 to 42 in total, with 22 to be based in the north and 20 in the south.

Pacific Hydro general manager Lane Crockett explained the changes to the wind farm’s layout come after consultation with residents at Cambrai, Keyneton and Eden Valley.

“We have applied community and other stakeholder feedback in making adjustments to the proposed layout as well as being informed by formal flora and fauna assessments, landscape visual assessments and cultural heritage surveys,” he said.

“Initially, our early layout that we consulted immediate neighbours about in 2009 had 60 turbines and the layout that we presented at the public consultation sessions earlier this year had 57 turbines.

“This adjusted layout reflects our responsible approach to the environmental assessment and community consultation process and we now look forward to taking the revised project forward,” Mr Crockett said.

During the consultation sessions, some concern was expressed about the potential use of the Angaston-Sedan Road between Angaston and Keyneton for over-dimensional vehicles. Following this feedback, Pacific Hydro is consulting further with the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Mid Murray and Barossa councils to confirm suitable routes for over-dimensional vehicles.

If the proposed development is approved, Pacific Hydro representatives said it would bring employment opportunities during the construction phase and there would also be a need for ongoing staff to manage the wind farm.

A community information drop-in session is proposed from January 2012 to further provide community members with an opportunity to speak to representatives directly about the latest information, plans and opportunities.

The company will then complete their proposed application to then be forwarded to the state’s Development Assessment Commission as early as February.

For further information about the community information drop in session, contact Chloe Carpenter on (03) 8621 6428 or 0410 132 899.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/06/keyneton-wind-farm-layout-downsized/