Wind is go!

Warrnambool Standard
Friday 11/5/2007 Page: 14

A $49 MILLION wind farm proposal on a property located on Mortons Lane, near Caramut, has been given the green light by local councils. The proposed site for the small-scale wind farm project consists of 1100ha of cleared farmland about 11 kilometres north-west of Caramut. The site crosses both Moyne and Southern Grampians shire boundaries and the proposal required the approval of both parties.

Moyne councillors voted in favour of the wind farm on Tuesday night at a council meeting in Port Fairy and Southern Grampians councillors followed suit on Wednesday night in Hamilton. Up to 15 wind turbines producing 29.9 megawatts of power will be installed by NewEn Australia. The project falls marginally below the State Government's jurisdiction which applies to any project producing 30 megawatts.

The turbine towers are more than 100 metres tall and consist of three rotor blades 45 metres in length. A Southern Grampians Shire spokesman said the recommendation put forward last night was adopted. Mayor Michael Leeming said all seven councillors were in favour of the proposal at last night's meeting. "Nobody spoke against the motion and it received council approval. Objectors can now appeal to VCAT," he said. Work is expected to start within the next 12 months if there are no objections.