Plan to consult residents

Ballarat Courier
Thursday 17/5/2007 Page: 7

THE company behind a push to build a 19-turbine windfarm near Smeaton and Campbelltown has unveiled its community consultation plan to residents. Wind Power's plan has outlined its intention to have two further information sessions for residents, arrange a visit to the Challicum Hills Wind Farm and establish a community reference group to gauge community support or opposition.

However, the Spa Country Landscape Guardians group, opposed to the development, said only residents near Clunes had received the letter dated May 7 while the vast majority of people affected were yet to receive any notice of the company's plans.

Wind Power director Andrew Newbold said the company was committed to keeping residents informed and the information sessions and community reference group would ensure the process was fair. We want this to be constructive, open and transparent and we have got nothing to hide and I would hope they participate after the couple of information sessions our consultants will do," he said. "I'm hoping they are coming with an open mind as we are prepared to listen to them."

Spa Country Landscape Guardians group spokesman Will Elsworth said opponents remained suspicious of the consultation process, particularly how appointments would be made to the community reference group. "What we have gathered from other experiences is that if we put forward individual nominations (for the reference group) they won't accept it... they just stack it.

We don't get to see their environmental impact studies... we have asked them to be open and transparent. People are very upset and distressed." The first of the two information sessions will be held on Sunday, June 3, at the Smeaton Bowling Club from 10am to 3pm. A visit to the Challicum Hills Wind Farm will also be held on Sunday, June 3.

Anyone wishing to attend can register their interest by calling 9830 2700 between 9am and 5pm. Registrations close at 5pm on Friday, May 25.