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$900m windfarm for Jamestown
Credit: CHELSEA ASHMEADE | Northern Argus | www.northernargus.com.au 11 July 2012 ~~
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Hornsdale Windfarm, a 105-turbine project north of Jamestown, is one step closer to being given the green light.
Final approval plans have been submitted to the State Government, through section 49 of the local government act.
The windfarm is being developed by Investec Bank (Australia) and the site comprises of about 7500 hectares of private freehold land.
Northern Areas Council chairman Ben Browne said the $900 million investment would have a huge impact on the local economy.
“It will have a huge impact on the whole region, not just Jamestown,” he said.
Mr Browne said neighbouring towns had done well from the economic boosts windfarm workers had given. some councillors had concerns about the windfarm, while others were in favour.
“There will be mixed feelings about it, a number are in support,” he said.
Some residents who live close to the proposed site have represented themselves at meetings, against the windfarm.
Mr Browne said council had written to SA Planning Minister John Rau asking for an independent noise analysis. A response had been received and Mr Browne said, in short, Mr Rau chose not to seek an independent assessment, but the Environment Protection Authority had to deal with the issue.
Jamestown lawyer and neighbouring resident to the proposed site, John Voumard, said he and his family weren’t happy with the decision and the fact turbines would significantly overtake their view of the Narien Range.
He also said a number of threatened animal and plant species would be affected by the move.
Although the town would see a short term economic boost, Mr Voumard said communities should be looking at the long-term affects.
He and his family chose not to have a windfarm on their property, because it would be within about 800 metres of their homestead, and he feared the proximity of other turbines could make homes inhabitable.
“If they were sited away … there would be less objections to them … SA has the most expensive power in the world, but have the most amount of turbines,” he said.
Mr Voumard said the turbines would be about six kilometres from the town and called for further studies, but he felt Mr Rau hadn’t adequately considered the opinions of locals.
The Northern Argus was not able to contact Hornsdale Windfarm at time of going to press.
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