Tuesday 26 June 2007

Leonards Hill awaits wind farm decision

Ballarat Courier
Tuesday 26/6/2007 Page: 4

RESIDENTS are awaiting a decision on the Leonards Hill wind farm proposal after a hearing last week. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing began last Tuesday, and it may take two months before a decision is made. The Hepburn Shire Council gave the proposal the go-ahead in February, despite it drawing 18 objections. Objectors then went to VCAT to appeal the council's decision.

The wind farm is being developed by Melbourne based company Future Energy and the Hepburn Renewable Energy Association. It will become Australia's first community-owned wind farm, modelled on similar projects across Europe and the United States. It consists of two two megawatt wind turbines to be built on farmland at 2040 Ballan-Daylesford Rd, Leonards Hill.

Future Energy managing director David Shapero said he hoped the group was granted a permit. We were very impressed with the VCAT process. The wind farm is a magnificent initiative by the community to take responsibility for their own energy needs into the future," Mr Shapero said.

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