Acciona seeks Newfield wind farm group

The Cobden Times, Page: 6
Wednesday, 17 May 2006

Acciona Energy, the international renewable energy company behind the proposed Newfield wind farm, is calling on members of the community to be a part of a community reference group. The reference group would represent various viewpoints on the wind farm proposal and provide a focus for community input. The Spanish company confirmed two months ago it would lodge an application for a $45 million wind farm in Newfield to Corangamite Shire Council by August. Under current land use planning controls, a wind farm proposal under 30 megawatts means local councils are the responsible authority to approve the project rather than Planning Minister Rob Hulls.

Acciona Energy managing director Brett Thomas said community consultation would be undertaken throughout the planning process. "We are committed to working in partnership with the community to ensure everyone has an opportunity to find out about the project and provide comments," he said. The proposed site is located along Newfield Ridge, eight kilometres south east of Timboon and east of the Timboon-Port Campbell Road. The proposal includes about 15 turbines which Mr Thomas said would generate enough green electricity for 28,000 people.

He said the company had already been talking to members of the community and contracted independent consultants GHD to survey locals for the project's social impact assessment(SIA). Mr Thomas said a survey of 140 locals from Newfield, Timboon and Port Campbell was conducted recently and a full report on the SIA results would be made available to the public soon, The SIA has helped us to prepare a consultation strategy which incorporates suggestions from the community, such as setting up a Community Reference Group to provide direct input to the project," he said.

For more information on the Newfield wind farm, or to register your interest in the Community Reference Group, call the Project Information Desk on 1800 636 187 or email info@newfieldwindfarm.com.au. Expressions of Interest will be received until June 2.