Warrnambool Standard
Tuesday 19/12/2006 Page: 9
By SARAH SCOPELIANOS
PLANS for two small wind farms totalling 30 turbines on properties at Caramut and Woorndoo have been revealed. Energy company NewEn Australia has lodged planning applications for a 15-turbine project on each of two farms on the border of Moyne shire and the Southern Grampians Shire. The sites are at Woodhouse, near Caramut, and the Salt Creek Merino stud at Woorndoo.
Project manager Grant Flynn yesterday confirmed that planning applications had been lodged with local councils and plans were being displayed for public comment.
If approved, each will deliver as much as 30 megawatts to the power grid. The company had spent three years conducting studies on a range of issues including wind and birdlife, he said.
Unlike recently approved wind developments such as the 180-turbine farm near Macarthur and the 116-turbine Mount Gellibrand project near Colac, NewEn's proposals do not need state government approval. It required only planning permits from local councils.
Mr Flynn said it was unusual to have a project on two shires' boundaries but the company had decided on land best suited to wind development and the councils were co-ordinating the permit process. By law, however, each has to make an independent decision.
The towers will stand 103 metres high - taller than those along the south-west coast, to reach strong winds. Due to unprecedented worldwide demand for wind turbines, the company is yet to finalise the number which may range from 13 to 15 at each site. The number depended on availability. If the projects are approved, the company hopes the farms begin generating power by late 2008.
Moyne planning director Greg Anders said the shire was coordinating the submission process. If any submissions were received, a hearing would be held at the shire's Mortlake office on February 13 and the council would consider its officers' recommendation in March.
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