Fair wind for project

Albany & Great Southern Weekender
Thursday 13/3/2008 Page: 7

Denmark's community wind farm project is on track for a 2010 construction start. Only the final approvals and completion of funding is required for the two-turbine wind farm at Wilson Head to add much-needed power to the local grid. Denmark Community Wind Farm (DCW) chairman Craig Chapelle said his group had been delayed by bureacracy despite rezoning approval of the Crown land (A-class reserve) being given by the State Government.

"The community project is still a goer. We are ready to start the wind farm construction in 2010," he said. "The Minister (Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan) approved general planning rezoning of the site in January 2006. "We are waiting for the final word on Federal Government funding and an agreement with Western Power." After that occurs, Mr Chappelle said DCW would then approach the community to fund the project.

This would be backed by a study proving its financial viability. DCW aims to create a trust to direct some or all of the wind farm profits to help finance local community projects. Mr Chappelle said one of the problems facing the project was the poor state of Denmark's power supply infrastructure. The wind farm would be able to provide enough power for the town but the infrastructure would not be able to handle the load.

"We would only be a part of the solution to the supply problem," he said. Although DCW initially applied for four turbines, it is now considering the two 800kW machines. The wind farm site was rejected by Denmark Shire Council in 2005 when it was asked to comment on rezoning. The Shire agreed with wider community objections that the wind farm would be an eyesore overlooking Ocean Beach.

At the time, Stirling MLA Terry Redman said the community gave a very clear indication that it did not want the wind farm at Wilson Head. "It is disappointing for them that they are being ignored by this government," Mr Redman said. Anti-wind farm campaigners claim the proposal for a similar wind farm inland at Mt Barker proved there was no need for it to be located on the coast.