Council airs windy plan

Warrnambool Standard
Tuesday 29/1/2008 Page: 5

Warrnambool has the potential to become an official windy city by developing renewable energy technologies, according to a proposed environmental sustainability policy. An extensive draft policy statement to be tabled at tonight's city council meeting says there is growing interest in using one of Warrnambool's greatest renewable energy attributes - wind.

The report says: "The project potentially may provide a working example of urban wind technology while providing financial incentives for community uptake." "The project may present greater benefits to other municipalities in the southern part of Australia that do not have the same ability to produce large amounts of energy from the sun." The city council developed the proposed priority policy as part of a commitment to the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord initiated by the State Government.

If the policy is adopted it will open access to a second round of Government funding for environmental projects next month. Other issues covered in the report include the impact of climate change on coastal areas, biodiversity, sustainable transport and planning needs. The report notes the slow community uptake of wind technology.

Other items listed for tonight's council meeting include: Planning for the November elections with postal voting recommended; The naming of a reserve in Merrivale Drive near Landmann Street; A proposed heritage overlay on significant avenues of trees; and A special rate or charge for infrastructure works in development projects.