Charlton wind farm receives green light
Credit: By MATT COUGHLAN | The Wimmera Mail-Times | Sept. 15, 2014 | www.mailtimes.com.au ~~
A wind farm seven kilometres south-west of Charlton has received the green light by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Buloke Shire chief executive John Hicks said amendments to conditions on the initial planning permit for the Acciona Berrimal Wind Farm meant the project could now proceed.
The project will construct 24 turbines that will generate 72 megawatts of electricity.
Mr Hicks said the wind farm would generate about $150 million of investment within the shire.
He said it would inject $140,000 in rate revenue into the shire each year and six permanent jobs.
Construction is expected to create about 50 jobs.
“We are pleased all necessary approvals are now in place to proceed with this project,” Mr Hicks said.
“It is no secret we are facing tough economic times – just as are many rural councils – and a project like this provides a major economic boost that flows right throughout the shire for many years to come.”
Mr Hicks said council supported the changes Acciona requested to the initial planning permit, granted in June, regarding noise complaints.
“The council is only permitted to make administrative changes to planning permit conditions,” he said.
“The changes Acciona requested went beyond administration, which is why they needed to take it to VCAT.”
The Acciona project is one of two planned for the Buloke Shire.
The council granted permission in February for Windlab to construct six turbines generating 60 gigawatt hours of electricity about 11 kilometres south-west of Charlton.
Mr Hicks said the project would result in about $40 million worth of economic activity and two ongoing permanent positions. It would provide $65,000 in rate revenue annually to the shire.
Mr Hicks said the Buloke Shire was part of a regional municipal push to highlight to the Australian Government the importance of wind farms to rural communities.
“We are closely watching a government review of the Renewable Energy Target Scheme,” he said.
“Along with other shires in our region, we strongly support the targets which are important for the viability of wind farms such as these two planned for our municipality.”
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