SYSTEMS GO Shire approves first wind farm

Hamilton Spectator
Saturday 12/5/2007 Page: 1

Southern Grampians Shire has unanimously approved the first wind farm in the shire. The shire's agreement to issue a planning permit for seven wind turbines on a Woodhouse farm at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday follows similar approval by Moyne Shire Council for eight turbines on an adjacent farm on Tuesday.

Ten families - a fair proportion of the small Woodhouse community - strongly opposed the $49 million wind farm, but none were present when Southern Grampians Shire made its decision. It's unclear whether they intend to take their objections to the Victorian Civil and Administration Tribunal (VCAT). The shire's physical services director, Jim Nolan, said there had been meetings with the objectors, consultants, developer NewEn, and council. He said council couldn't issue it planning permit until the time allowed for an appeal to VCAT had expired.

Net benefit
Mr Nolan said consultant, Chris Harty, had come to the conclusion the wind farm provided a net benefit. Mr Harty said the Morton's Lane wind farm helped to address the threat of fundamental environmental changes to habitat and longterm species survival associated with climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions. "The wind farm addresses these threats though its ability to offset greenhouse gas emissions mainly though growing energy demand and during windy conditions when the wind farm will generate renewable energy directly into the electricity system," he said.

However, Mr Harty admitted there were equity and fairness concerns with large projects. "This is perhaps strongly highlighted with wind farms because of the size of the wind turbines, which can be seen over long distances and highlighting the private economic benefit some landowners receive compared to others." The minimum setback from neighbouring properties will he 165 metres.

Overlay sought
Cr Katrina Rainsford wanted the shire to create a wind farm overlay in the shire but Mr Nolan said that would have to be subject to a future council debate. Both Southern Grampians and Moyne had to give a decision on a planning permit for the wind farm because the two host farms involved - North Gums and Yamba - straddle the shire boundary along Morton's Lane. The wind farm will cover 1100 hectares over both sites. The towers will be 103 metres tall and the blades 45 metres in length.

While it was the first wind farm to he approved in Southern Grampians, it was old hat for Moyne Shire which has become the wind farm capital in Victoria with an extraordinary number approved or planned, including the biggest in Australia so far - the 183-turbine wind farm half way between Hawkesdale and Macarthur.

Although Southern Grampians Shire had no hesitation supporting the Woodhouse wind farm, it attached 48 conditions to the permit. These conditions cover traffic, environment, striped-legged lizard, bats, landscape. noise, Aboriginal cultural heritage, television reception and interference, lighting, security, emergency arrangements, decommissioning, blade shadow flicker, aviation safety clearances, water supply, fuel and vegetation management, and aircraft hazards.

Developer, NewEn, says the Woodhouse wind farm will provide electricity for 17,257 homes, and create emission savings equivalent to taking 27,000 cars off the road annually.