Ararat Wind Farm open day

Ararat Advertiser
Friday 8/2/2008 Page: 4

ARARAT - Renewable Energy Systems Australia Pty Ltd (RES Southern Cross Australia) has announced its plans to host an open day for the Ararat and district community to provide details about its proposed Ararat Wind Farm development located seven kilometres northeast of Ararat. RES Southern Cross Australia confirmed that the Open Day will be held on Saturday February 16. between 10am and 4pm at the Warrak Community Hall, located at 1673 Warrak Road, Warrak (junction of Buangor-Ben Nevis Road).

"We are inviting the local community and interested parties to visit our first Ararat Wind Farm open day to meet with us, ask questions, learn more about RES Southern Cross and our proposal and provide feedback to ensure that this is a world class project from all points of view," Sedat Erol, wind farm developer with RES Southern Cross Australia said. Prior to the open day, RES Southern Cross Australia representatives will be meeting with Joe Helper MLA, Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Small Business, as well as Ararat Rural City Council and Northern Grampians Shire Council. to provide a briefing on the project.

The open day will provide interested people with preliminary details about the project, including an introduction to RES Southern Cross Australia, the development and consultation process RES Southern Cross intends to follow, the location, potential size and area of the proposed Ararat Wind Farm, a description of the turbines and the wind farm construction process, the environmental studies RES Southern Cross is undertaking, preliminary visual photomontages of what the wind farm may look like from a few well known viewpoints, and how people can continue to be informed and involved. Light refreshments will also be provided.

The proposed Ararat wind farm, comprising around 50 turbines, will generate clean, green electricity equivalent to the needs of approximately 40,000 homes a year, reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, unlock $250 million investment within the Ararat Rural City Council and Northern Grampians Shire Council areas, provide jobs during the construction phase, using local people, businesses and expertise wherever possible, and contribute to Victoria's renewable energy target.

RES Southern Cross Australia will also continue to keep people informed, particularly those who might be unable to make it to the first open day. through the website: www.resaustralia.com.au.

For further information please contact:
RES Southern Cross Australia Pty Ltd PO Box 1274, Crows Nest, NSW 1585,
Phone (02) 9431 7600,
Email: infoaustralia@res-ltd.com