January 16, 2015
Australia
Australia
Palmer wind farm development continues
By Elle Vince | The Murray Valley Standard | Jan. 16, 2015 | www.murrayvalleystandard.com.au
By Elle Vince | The Murray Valley Standard | Jan. 16, 2015 | www.murrayvalleystandard.com.au
Murraylands residents may be able to have their say on the final Palmer Wind Farm development application as early as next month, if all goes to plan for the Mid Murray Council.
Windfarm developers TrustPower completed survey works at the site in January last year before lodging a formal planning application with the council in February and an updated development application in August.
The 10,000 hectare site, located on the hillside between Palmer, Tungkillo and Sanderstone, is set to host 114 turbines and has been selected for its excellent wind energy potential and close proximity to the Tungkillo substation.
Mid Murray Council chief executive officer Russell Peate said the final decisions on the application process were currently being made.
“The development application lodged by TrustPower is being finalised before public notification,” he said.
“At this stage, it is expected the development will be publicly notified and advertised for comment in early February, 2015.
“Plans and documents will be provided to the public and (made) available on council’s website.”
The council will organise two public meetings prior to such notification to ensure residents have a decent understanding into the wind farm’s development application process.
TrustPower has already altered the initial design of the wind farm after holding two community workshops, three information days and numerous one-on-one meetings within the region as part of the required community consultation process.
Key changes included relocating a number of turbines, reducing the total number of turbines from 130 to 114 and offering the Neighbouring Benefit Scheme to 65 eligible neighbours.
TrustPower expected the Mid Murray Council to have made a decision on the final development application by mid-2015.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/01/16/palmer-wind-farm-development-continues/