Council pockets $1m from wind

Warrnambool Standard
Saturday 28/4/2007 Page: 10

WIND turbines are set to generate a $1 million rates windfall for Moyne Shire each year, becoming its biggest industrial money spinner. With two up and running and as many as eight on the drawing board, wind farms are set to deliver a major boost to the shire's income. Pacific Hydro is the company behind Yambuk's 20-turbine facility and Codrington's 14-turbine project and the farms are the largest contributors to the council's coffers.

The Standard understands the company pays $123,380 in rates annually. The rates collected from Pacific Hydro are only the tip of the rate revenue iceberg. The shire expects to reap the benefits of unprecedented interest in wind energy in the area.

The State Government has approved the $600 million Macarthur wind development of 183-turbines. The project is expected to raise more than $300,000 annually for the shire if the company decides to proceed with the project. Other planned projects in the region include the controversial Woolsthorpe 20-turbine wind farm. This project if approved would contribute $76,000 in rates. A Hawkesdale development would inject $100,000. A 68-turbine development near Port Fairy would raise $165,000 a year in rates.