October 22, 2019
Australia

Victory: Residents rejoice over Keyneton wind farm development pulled

Keyneton wind farm is buried | Michelle O’Rielly | Barossa & Light Herald | October 22 2019 | www.barossaherald.com.au

The Keyneton wind farm battle has been won.

A decade of angst carried by Keyneton residents has blown away with state government’s recent decision to “not grant” another extension for Pacific Hydro’s approved wind farm.

The relieved group attribute the triumph to “people power”.

Their continuous and lengthy fight to stop the 42-wind turbine development, earmarked for the Mount Lofty Ranges, was first celebrated over social media.

Long-time resident David Formby was stoked the development, first mooted in 2009, had “died and was buried”. A phone call to Mr Formby by the developers last week alerted him of their decision to “not proceed with construction of its Keyneton wind farm”.

He took to social media to share the news, resulting in a flood of rejoicing comments made.

Pacific Hydro’s CEO Rachael Watson shared how the decision is “regrettable”. She said the outcome follows a recent judgement made by Planning Minister Stephan Knoll “not to grant an extension of time for the Keyneton wind farm project”. “… due to policy, commercial and grid connection changes outside its control, (Pacific Hydro) has not been able to meet the deadlines on the Keyneton wind farm project”, she said.

Residents like Mr Formby are now relieved the outcome puts to bed their ongoing concerns of devastation to native vegetation and wildlife, potential devalue of properties and health burdens to name a few.

“I think the last insult of this development would have been to the Peramangk people who roamed these hills”, Mr Formby said.

While the outcome dissolves years of pent up emotions from attending town meetings, court hearings and stakeholder meet and greets, Mr Formby said the town now needs to heal.

“It also left a division in our community … That will take a few years to settle down”.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/10/22/victory-residents-rejoice-over-keyneton-wind-farm-development-pulled/