Wind farm go-ahead

Herald Sun
Monday, 21 August 2006


AUSTRALIA'S most powerful wind farm will be built near Colac at a cost of $380 million.

The 116-turbine project has been approved for Mt Gellibrand on land leased from local farmers. Planning Minister Rob Hulls said it would generate enough capacity to power more than 133,000 Victorian homes a year.

"This is great news for the environment and great news for Victoria. . . and the Colac region," Mr Hulls said yesterday. He said the wind farm was approved after advice from an independent planning panel.

Victoria's ninth wind farm will create up to 120 construction jobs and 20-25 full-time jobs.

Mr Hulls said he did not believe federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell had any authority to block the project as he did with the $220 million Bald Hills wind farm in South Gippsland.

Bald Hills was initially rejected over fears it could harm endangered orange-bellied parrots. Developers said there was no evidence the farm would affect the parrots, but dropped court action in return for the Government reconsidering plans.

Mr Hulls said Bald Hills was a controlled action that required approval by the Federal Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

"This is not a controlled action. . . so it doesn't have to go through the Federal Government," he said. Mr Hulls said endangered birds would not be at risk by the Mt Gellibrand operation, due for completion in 2009.

"The issue of brolgas was taken into account and the panel recommended any amelioration of the impact of brolgas can certainly be done by the proponent," he said. "The proponent is prepared to do that."

Mr Hulls said only nine objections had been lodged after widespread community consultation.

"This is the most substantial announcement yet in Victoria in terms of wind farms. . . and I hope to be in a position to announce further wind farms in the not too distant future," he said.

German company Pro Ventum International won the contract for the Mt Gellibrand site and will start work early next year. The turbines will be 125m high and visible from the Princes Highway. Local landowner Tim Gore, who plans to have 32 turbines on his property, said he was not concerned about turbine noise.

Wind farms are shaping as a key point of difference between the Bracks Government and Opposition before the November 25 state poll. Liberal leader Ted Baillieu has promised a moratorium on any new developments, saying they are too heavily subsidised and inappropriately placed.