May 5, 2012
Australia

Wind farm last gasp

Journalist: Nikki Taylor, Tablelander, 1 May 2012

Former Deputy Mayor Chris Adams has used the last meeting of the inaugural Tablelands Regional Council to demand action on concerns surrounding the Windy Hill Wind Farm at Ravenshoe.

The minutes of the meeting which was held at Herberton on April 18 detail two motions put forward by Cr Adams during the confidential session.

Cr Adams moved “council immediately issue an enforcement notice to RATCH in respect of the operation of the Windy Hill Wind Farm, specifically for non-compliance with the conditions of approval which require the operator to monitor the impacts of noise from the wind farm.”;

The procedural motion was seconded by Cr Jenny Jensen but the motion was lost.

Cr Adams then put a second motion on the books which was also seconded by Cr Jensen.

“That council immediately require RATCH to shut down the turbines at the Windy Hill Wind Farm until compliance with all conditions of the development approval are achieved.”;

The motion was also lost.

RATCH CEO Steve Loxton confirmed there had been complaints in the area.

“Council has initiated a noise study and the results should be available at the end of May,” Mr Loxton said.

“We have no reason to believe we are not compliant.

“I think the councillor (Chris Adams) is being premature as it has not been confirmed either way.”;

Speaking to the Tablelander last week Cr Adams said he had put the motions forward to “protect” the TRC. “It is our responsibility to enforce conditions of any development approval,” he said. “But council has said no.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/05/wind-farm-last-gasp/