Turbine powers water system

Colac Herald
Monday 17/9/2007 Page: 9

A Colac district resident has won approval to install a single wind turbine to generate power for her property's irrigation system. Marianne Fountaine received Colac Otway Shire approval for her application to build a 5.5 kilowatt wind turbine for personal use on her rural property on the Great Ocean Road at Sugarloaf Creek, north east of Skene's Creek. Ms Fountaine addressed the shire's planning meeting on Wednesday and said the wind turbine would generate power for an irrigation system on her property. Excess power from the wind turbine will go into the national power grid.

The tower has a maximum height of 24 metres and is made from grey galvanised steel with supporting stainless steel guy wires. The proposed turbine and shed will be set back 200 metres from the Great Ocean Road. Ms Fountaine said the visual impact of the wind turbine was a major consideration when determining a site for the tower. "It will only be partially visible for three seconds when driving along the Great Ocean Road and its visibility is as minimal as I can possibly make it," Ms Fountaine told the planning meeting.

Ms Fountaine won praise from Colac Otway Shire councillors for her environmentally responsible approach to finding an energy solution for her rural property. Cr Peter Mercer said he applauded the applicant "on being environmentally responsible". Councillors passed the proposal unanimously and Cr Chris Smith said it was great when people thought outside the box. "It's great for the people involved to put forward this sort of proposal," Cr Smith said. Cr Jo Di Cecco said he congratulated Ms Fountaine on using sustainable energy.