June 11, 2012
Australia

Kingston Council spun over wind turbines

by CHRIS TATMAN, Mordialloc Chelsea Leader, mordialloc-chelsea-leader.whereilive.com.au 11 June 2012

Kingston Council should investigate setting up wind turbines on local sporting grounds, a conservationist says.

Mordialloc Beaumaris Conservation League secretary Mary Rimington said: “We have a lot of wind and anything that can reduce the reliance on coal should be investigated.”

Ms Rimington was commenting after the council baulked at the use of wind turbines to produce energy.

Mayor John Ronke said council had looked into using wind turbines.

“Unlike solar panels the cost per unit of energy produced by wind turbines is cost prohibitive”.

“We are developing a greenhouse and energy management strategy, which will discuss renewable energy,” he said.

Council has three buildings with solar panels – Tom Johnston Pavilion, Clarinda Community Library and the toilet block at Victory Park.

The cost for the solar panels was $4000 (Tom Johnston Pavilion), $6000 (Victory Park) and $20,000 (Clarinda Community Library).

Cr Ronke said council was investigating installing 10 solar panels at Carrum Surf Lifesaving Club and a further 18 at Chelsea Activity Centre.

Ms Rimington praised the council’s use of solar panels.

But she said planning laws needed to be examined where developments in urban streets blocked sunlight needed for nearby solar panels.

Turbines need average wind speed of at least 18km/h to be worthwhile.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/11/kingston-council-spun-over-wind-turbines/