March 2, 2012
Australia

“Fewer ridges” in revised Golspie wind farm plan

Crookwell Gazette, www.crookwellgazette.com.au 2 March 2012

A fewer number of key ridges will be used by the proposed Golspie wind farm under the latest design revisions.

The developers, Wind Prospect CWP, is continuing to investigate a potential of 100 or more turbine locations in the area.

The area involved has been re-assessed since the original application was submitted to the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure in March last year.

Development Manager Mr. Daniel MacDonald says the project has benefited from “ever improving technical data as well as feedback from potential host landholders, community and stakehold.ers.”

He commented: “The project team has been working hard for the last 11 months to ensure that we have an excellent understanding of the wind resource and that the project design appropriately considers the Director General’s requirements to give it the best chance of standing up to upcoming rigorous environmental assessment phase.”

Mr. MacDonald said that the ongoing dialogue with local farmers and the community has helped the developers to refine the project design.

“We look forward to developing and actively being involved in a wind farm that will generate local economic benefits and clean energy for many years to come.

“The next few months for the project will be focused heavily on seeking neighbour, stakeholder and community feed back with direct mail outs, personal meetings and newsletters to inform those with an interest in the project.”

Wind Prospect CWP intend submitting an Environmental Assessment to the Planning Department within the next 18 months.

Mr. McDonald urged members of the community to complete the Public Opinion Survey which can be accessed through the website www.golspiewindfarm.com.au.

Alt ernatively a copy of the survey can be obtained by contacting (02) 4013 4640.

A public open day will be held within the next few months to provide further information about the project.

Mr. MacDonald can be contacted on 0400 781 651.

The turbines to be used in the wind farm will be three-bladed, multi-pitch horizontal asix machine on top of steel towers.

Blade lengths will range from 40 metres to greater than 65 metres with tower heights ranging from 70 metres to over 120 metres.

The company states: “The turbines would be located chiefly on the higher altitude ridges within the site boundary, where they would be well spaced and positioned with regards to landscape amenity, existing land use, ecological conservation and cultural heritage values and in accordance with relevant guidelines and legislation.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/02/fewer-ridges-in-revised-golspie-wind-farm-plan/