Support for wind farm

Ballarat Courier
Friday 14/12/2007 Page: 4

A SURVEY has shown more than 450 people would be prepared to pledge more than $3 million to the proposed community-owned Leonards Hill wind farm. The survey was carried out by the Hepburn Renewable Energy Association, which has set up a co-operative called Hepburn Wind to build and operate the $8 million wind farm. Chairman of Hepburn Wind is Simon Holmes a Court, son of prominent businesswoman and philanthropist, Janet Holmes a Court.

"Naturally were very excited by these results," Mr Holmes a Court said. "They've confirmed that this project is supported by the majority of people in this community, and is truly set to become Australia's first community-owned wind farm. "There is no doubt that the tremendous response to the survey is a direct result of the hard work and sheer volume of hours that many volunteers have committed to the project.

It's a fantastic feeling to have this hard work rewarded with such a good result." Hepburn Renewable Energy Association president Per Bernard said the survey was required by Sustainability Victoria, which will provide a grant of $1 million to the project. The wind farm proposed for the Ballan-Daylesford Rd includes two 68m turbines with 41m blades.

Hepburn Shire Council approved the project in February by, but an appeal saw the natter referred to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The tribunal approved the farm in July by after a four-day hearing. Tribunal members Margaret Baird and Ian Potts found that 16 homes would be between 519 metres and 895 metres from a turbine.