January 15, 2013
Australia

Info day hits turbulence

Jenny Oldland, Journalist | Yorke Peninsula Country Times | 15 January 2013 | www.ypct.com.au

Passionate opponents of the proposed Ceres Project wind farm almost caused Sunday’s information day at Curramulka to be closed down before it began.

Police were called to restore order when REpower representatives decided the process of the day was being compromised because of outbursts from large sections of the crowd who were disappointed everyone wasn’t allowed inside to hear the presentation at the same time.

REpower’s plan was to run 20-minute sessions for no more than 25 people at any one time.

Once this was explained, although not happy with the situation, those not registered for the first session stepped outside to wait for their opportunity.

About 120 people attended the sessions and, while not against green energy and wind farms in general, the majority were against the proposal to build Australia’s biggest wind farm in the middle of prime agricultural land.

“This is a good project and it would work, but not here in an area which is considered the food bowl of South Australia; put it on unproductive land elsewhere,” Sandilands farmer Robert Klopp said.

“They did approach me to host turbines but I wasn’t interested, this is my family’s farming land.

“We have to fight now, I’m frightened this is just the start and could lead to a much bigger development.”

There is also concern about the division the proposal is causing within the small community.

“This issue is pitting neighbour against neighbour, friend against friend and we don’t need that,” Mr Klopp said.

Other issues raised during the afternoon related to the effect on local agricultural and firefighting practices, impact on property values, and health issues after reports people in the Hallett area have been affected by turbine noise.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/15/info-day-hits-turbulence/