Wind benefits

The Wimmera Mail-Times, Page: 5
Friday, 11 August 2006

RESIDENTS of a southern Mallee township at the centre of a study into renewable energy have rejected claims that wind farming will 'tear the community apart'. The Hopetoun community is adamant that the University of Ballarat research project will benefit the town and its people. Hopetoun Progress Association committee member Bert Hallam said the community was excited about the imminent study."This is certainly a positive thing for the community," Mr Hallam said. "The progress association and others have embraced the idea of renewable energy."The University of Ballarat will start a $100,000 study into Hopetoun's power demand and potential renewable energy technologies later this month.

Nationals leader Peter Ryan challenged the feasibility of renewable energy resources for rural communities in State Parliament yesterday. He said social issues were of 'significant concern in communities where the construction of wind turbines had divided residents'.

But Mr Hallam said the people of Hopetoun were ready for wind turbines and other renewable energy resources."I don't think anyone is concerned about the impact it will have on the community," he said."This won't tear us apart."The only thing that will tear us apart will be choosing whose property gets the turbines.

"University of Ballarat National Centre for Sustainability manager Dennis Olmstead, who will coordinate the study at Hopetoun, said it was an 'exciting opportunity for everyone in the town'."Through this project we aim to investigate the possibility of developing permanent, secure provisions of renewable energy for the Hopetoun area.".