Council: we don't like the look of this

Colac & Corangamite Extra
Tuesday 29/1/2008 Page: 2

A PROPOSED $50 million windfarm development at Newfield was rejected last week due to landscape, visual issues and the impact the facility would have on neighbours, according to the Corangamite Shire. Council gave notice of its decision not to grant a permit to Acciona at its council meeting last Tuesday. The shire's Coastal Ward councillor Steve Cumming explained the grounds of refusal related to the landscape impact from Two Mile Bay in the Port Campbell National Park.

He also said it would have an impact from the Timboon-Port Campbell Road that provided inland links to the Great Ocean Road. "The cumulative impact of siting a windfarm adjacent to the existing gas plants on Waaree Road, Newfield, in a farming area and impacts of noise, blade glint and shadow flicker were also considered to create too great of an impact on adjoining residents and the 63 houses within three kilometres of the site," Cr Cumming said.

Shire building and statutory planning services manager Michelle Grainger said council received the application from Acciona for the windfarm facility early last year. "The plans were publicly exhibited for five weeks in August and September and we had public meetings with members of the local community," she said. Fifteen submissions from members of the public were received and councillors met with objectors last week to discuss any outstanding matters prior to the council's meeting.

Fifteen, 1.5 megawatt turbines, were proposed to be 110 metres high and situated on 300 hectares of farmland. Ms Granger said the applicant now had 60 days to launch an appeal against council's decision with the Victorian Civil and Appeals Tribunal.