August 12, 2015
Australia

Wind project impacts voiced

Residents share views on a proposed Dundonnell wind farm development. | By MADELEINE MCNEIL | The Standard | Aug. 12, 2015 | www.standard.net.au

Concerns regarding wildlife, noise, loss of native vegetation and road impacts of a proposed $650 million wind farm near Mortlake were outlined at a public hearing on Tuesday.

Proponent Trustpower detailed its plan for a 104-turbine wind farm and associated infrastructure, including a powerline corridor and site access road at Dundonnell.

But five objectors addressed the hearing, chaired by Moyne Shire mayor Colin Ryan.

The objectors documented concerns brolgas and peregrine falcons would be adversely affected; native vegetation would be lost for roads to be widened and the farm would pose health impacts for nearby residents.

Trustpower’s wind generation project manager Chris Righetti and development manager Rontheo van Zyl said the concerns would be looked at by a state planning panel.

“The council’s public hearing was a valuable process and while some of the issues raised were technical in nature, they will be looked at in more detail through the extensive state panel process,” Mr van Zyl said.

“Trustpower is always open to appropriate scientific-based rigour and we look forward to the state panel process.”

He said in May if the state government approved the wind farm, the company hoped to start work towards the end of 2016.

Cr Ryan said the meeting, which attracted about 50 people, gave councillors important information that would help them prepare a submission for the state planning panel.

“Our main area of submission will be in relation to public infrastructure impacted as a result of the construction of the wind farm,” he said.

“We had major learnings from the Macarthur Wind Farm. We are making a strong representation to the planning panel so that these these failings of the Macarthur Wind Farm program, in relation to infrastructure, for example roads, are not repeated in the Dundonnell case.”

Representatives from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning also addressed the forum.

Submissions close on August 21 and the state planning panel hearings will be held in September and October.