August 29, 2018
Australia

Council vote on wind farm operations riles neighbours

Macarthur wind farm angst | Anthony Brady | The Standard | August 29 2018 | www.standard.net.au

Residents neighbouring the Macarthur wind farm have expressed their disappointment at Moyne Shire councillors approving ongoing operational practices of the facility.

At their August meeting in Port Fairy on Tuesday night, councillors voted 6-1 in favour of an officer’s recommendation endorsing how AGL has complied with permit conditions since construction of the wind farm was completed in 2013.

A large group of Macarthur residents attended the meeting to inform councillors their concerns around the wind farm were not being met by either AGL or Moyne Shire.

Resident Annie Gardner said AGL was “getting away with blue murder” and the shire had a duty to investigate and act.

“We’d like some answers and some action,” Ms Gardner said.

Fellow resident Christine Jelbart said the wind farm was having such a negative effect that her and her husband had been forced to buy a house in Hamilton “just to get a decent night’s sleep”.

Another resident, Hamish Cumming, told The Standard after the meeting the decision to approve the recommendation was disappointing.

“They (Moyne Shire) know they are wrong,” Mr Cumming said.

“They are letting down the whole shire, not only in Macarthur, but also with what is happening at the wind farm at Salt Creek.”

Cr Jim Doukas, who was the lone voice against passing the recommendation, said the shire had badly failed the community.

“How can we support this,” Cr Doukas said.

“We have done nothing and everyone knows it.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/08/29/council-vote-on-wind-farm-operations-riles-neighbours/