Warrnambool Standard
Wednesday 14/3/2007 Page: 5
A 68-TURBINE wind farm proposed near Port Fairy will generate about one per cent of Victoria's power needs. Moyne Shire councillors were advised yesterday by developer TME Australia the 3600 ha wind farm at Ryans Corners would create between 12 and 16 jobs if approved along with the company's Hawkesdale project.
Project manager Adam Proctor said the company was investigating wind farms for Mortlake and Berrybank. He dismissed fears fire bombing aircraft would be unable to operate over the site. He said access roads across the 12 properties would be suitable for CFA trucks.
Mr Proctor said if the wind farm operated at 30 per cent capacity it would generate power for 67,000 homes or 1.1 per cent of the state's needs. The company expects to spend as much as $500 million on the project 12km north west of Port Fairy and estimates $2 million a year will be spent in the area to pay employees, landowner fees and rates.
Farmer Kieron Moore supported clean energy and no objections had been received from the Yambuk community. He said the proposed turbines were less visible than the 34 already in the area and it was important to reduce greenhouse gases to make a better planet for future generations.
The council will hold a special meeting at 4pm on March 20 to decide its position on the project before making a submission to Planning Minister Justin Madden who will decided the project's future.
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