Community wind farm on agenda

Hills & Valley Messenger
Wednesday 27/2/2008 Page: 4

A WIND farm owned and operated by the community is one of many projects being considered as part of Onkaparinga Council's five-year plan. The council is looking at renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare the region for global warning. At last week's meeting the council endorsed a draft Climate Change Strategy which included an action plan for alternative energy technologies.

Onkaparinga's sustainability program leader Maggie Hine said a community forum would be held on April 3 to discuss the possibilities. "We're planning to bring over speakers from Victoria to see whether there is enough interest for community-owned generation in the city," she said. "If there is then the council will undertake a feasibility study which looks at appropriate locations and financial resources." Other targets in the strategy include being a carbon free council by 2013, a review of the council's emergency plans and an annual audit of the Snapper Point cliffs.

Ms Hine said the plan outlined actions the council would need to undertake to adapt with changing weather conditions. "Scientists are telling us the region will get warmer, dryer and there will be a certain level of sea rise so we need to think about what that means for coastal, native and water resource management."