Silverton residents to vote on wind farm

Barrier Daily Truth
Saturday 16/2/2008 Page: 3

A secret ballot by Silverton residents will help determine whether the Silverton Village Committee supports or opposes the proposed $2 billion wind farm. The ballot simply asks whether residents are for or against the wind farm, said Silverton Village Committee chairman, Ines McLeod, yesterday. "When the votes are counted, whatever the majority is, the village committee will have to try to help out. "We'll do our best to represent whoever the majority Renewable-energy company Epuron is working on plans to build 500 wind turbines on the ranges near the township. The proposal so far has attracted its share of support and opposition.

Mrs McLeod said a secret ballot was chosen so everyone at Silverton - about 45 residents - could have their say without recriminations. "It's a small community and people do not always come forward with their views; they might be frightened of upsetting their neighbors," said Mrs McLeod. The votes will be collected on March 1 and counted by independent scrutineer Brian Nicholls. The result will be presented at the committee's March 11 meeting.

The committee has not declared its stance on the wind farm. "It (the vote result) might give us some idea where to go," said Mrs McLeod. And if the ballot gets a poor response? "We'll give up, I suppose," said Mrs McLeod. "And if people oppose it, they'll have to fight it themselves."