February 4, 2013
Australia

Lobby group question wind farm survey

By Rhianwen Whitney | ABC News | 4 February 2013 | www.abc.net.au

The Cooranga North Concerned Citizens group says it will do its own research to see how locals feel about the proposed South Burnett wind farm.

AGL wants to build about 115 wind turbines near Cooranga North, between Dalby and Kingaroy, in southern Queensland.

The company has released the results of a survey of 500 people, including 400 living within 50 kilometres of the proposed development, showing 65 per cent support the project.

However, Bryan Lyons from the Cooranga North Concerned Citizens group says only about 50 people living within 15 kilometres of the project were asked for their opinion.

“Within five kilometres there’s at least 80 people who are affected by this project, so it’s not a true reflection of the affected community and as being part of the community we feel that it’s a community who should have quite a lot of the say in this,” he said.

“We don’t think it’s a good reflection at all but it’ll be up to the Queensland Government or South Burnett Regional Council to give their take on it.”

Mr Lyons says he is disappointed with the study and is now compiling the opinions of all residents within five kilometres of the project.

“Positioning those names under the heading of ‘opposed’, ‘supporting’ or ‘neither’,” he said.

“So that will give a total list of the community and that will be verified by each member of community and be handed to Deb Frecklington our local Member.

“So that gives us something which our decision makers can really base any opinions that they may form.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/04/lobby-group-question-wind-farm-survey/