Blowing in the Wind

Now here is an enlightened community...

The Advocate

LOCAL support for a proposed community-owned windpark for Daylesford and Hepburn Springs continues to grow.

Hepburn Renewable Energy Association president Per Bernard said that the association had grown since it was formed last year to 150 members.

He said the association hoped to establish a two-turbine community-owned wind park near Daylesford. The energy from the turbines will flow to Daylesford and Hepburn Springs and be enough to power about 2500 homes.

"As everyone knows global warming is a major concern and this is an excellent way for us to make a real change,"Mr Bernard said. "The energy will be made and used locally which is absolutely fantastic."

The association is using local organisations to complete several expert studies for the planning application they hope to lodge with the council over the next few months. Based on extensive European research the wind park would be owned by a local co-operative with members receiving returns from the sale of energy.

The co-operative would make annual payments directly to the local community and help fund local initiatives. Mr Bernard encouraged people interested in the project to contact the association.

"We need to set up the co-operative soon and are asking anyone who thinks they’d like to be involved to get in touch," he said. "It’s a fantastic opportunity to be a founding member."

The association has created an information display about the project and wind power at the Harvest Cafe, Albert St, Daylesford. Membership forms are available there.