Farmers embrace wind as politicians quarrel

The Ballarat Courier, Page: 7
Thursday, 27 July 2006

A GROUP of Waubra farmers has embraced the green light for what will become the state's second largest wind farm. The farmers, who will each reap $7000 per wind turbine as part of the $400 million 128-turbine project, yesterday took Energy and Resources Minister Theo Theophanous on a tour of the site. The State Government last week announced that construction of the project, which will generate 192 megawatts on land leased from the farmers, will begin in September, with the project set to take two years to complete. Glenbrae farmer Lawrence Gallagher, who will have six turbines on his property, said the turbines would be scattered across about 30 different properties.

"It will help our income," he said."We grow potatoes and sheep and lambs and crop."It will help us drought proof the farm plus we will be able to do some environmental work, like planting more trees and fixing up fences and everything like that."We are pretty happy about it.

"Mr Gallagher said the turbines would be a win-win situation for the Waubra community, which will receive $500 per turbine. "It's about $64,000 for the fire brigade, footy club and primary school. The community's fairly happy." Mr Theophanous attacked the Federal Government over Senator lan Campbell's decision to over-ride the State Government, refusing the wind farm in South Gippsland because of a chance it could threaten the orange-bellied parrot.

"We're saying to Senator Campbell, for heaven sakes wake up," he said."We have got climate change coming in Victoria and in the world and we want to get these projects up to try and do something about it." Mr Theophanous also criticised Federal Treasurer Peter Costello's comments yesterday on SAW, after he defended Senator Campbell's decision, adding bluntly that he thought wind farms "looked ugly." I wouldn't want one in my street, I wouldn't want one in my own backyard," Mr Costello said.

"If I had a backyard like this one, that we are standing on in Waubra, I would be very happy to have one in my backyard," Mr Theophanous said. Liberal candidate for Ripon Vie Dunn said wind farm environmental impacts, such as the orangebellied parrot, were cause for concern. Mr Dunn said he was also concerned about a lack of community consultation and the long term impact of wind farms."Is this the best option for us or are there better options for our area?" It's about $64,000 for the fire brigade, footy club and primary school. The community's fairly happy.