May 30, 2012
Australia

Lake Clifton residents vent wind farm anger

By Rachel Fenner, Mandurah Coastal Times | www.inmycommunity.com.au 30 May 2012

Residents of Lake Clifton have fought developers and gone up against bushfires, now they look set to oppose Cape Bouvard’s proposed wind farm.

Following a community meeting with Cape Bouvard general manager Steve Watson, residents held their own meeting last Tuesday.

Emotions ran high as they discussed the impact the wind farm would have on the residents of Lake Clifton.

At the residents’ meeting, Kevin Gardner said it seemed like the residents had carried out more research than Cape Bouvard.

“They can’t say what sort of turbines they will use,” he said.

Russell Bray had concerns that a wind farm would result in Lake Clifton becoming unliveable.

“Waterloo in South Australia decided to build a wind farm 18 months ago, and 18 months later the town is deserted,” he said.

“People, animals and wildlife cannot tolerate what the turbines generate.”

Mr Watson said Cape Bouvard chose Clifton Beach as the location for a wind farm due to high wind speeds in the area.

Residents dispute this, claiming it is the third time landowner Ralph Sarich had tried to develop the 1000-hectare property, with little regard for the environment.

Following the meeting, Graham Deering presented Dawesville MLA Kim Hames with a 62-signature petition against the development.

On Sunday, Fragile founder Hilary Wheater and Greens MLC Giz Watson attended a second meeting with residents at the Lake Clifton community centre.

Ms Watson had concerns about the impact the wind farm would have on birds, Ramsar-listed wetlands and bats.

“The Greens have a position of supporting renewable energy, but this is a significant development and the location is very fragile,” she said. “We have not stated a position on this issue.

“We support wind energy, as long as it has no impact and this project does ring alarm bells because of its location.

“It is a big change for the area and those things should be considered.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/30/lake-clifton-residents-vent-wind-farm-anger/