Most want wind farm

Barrier Daily Truth
Saturday 15/3/2008 Page: 1

A majority of Silverton residents support the wind farm, according to a secret ballot conducted by the Silverton Village Committee. Thirty-six respondents voted in favour of the Epuron wind farm going ahead, while 20 opposed it. Two ballot papers were not returned. The ballot simply asked whether the resident was for or against the project and was designed to allow people to have their say without fear of recrimination. The Committee conducted the vote to gauge what the residents felt about the $2 billion wind farm proposal, said its Secretary, Albert Woodroffe, yesterday.

He said the Committee did not have an official opinion about the wind farm, but it can now move forward on behalf of the town. "We now know the mood of the town. We can move forward and work with whoever we need to work with for a positive outcome for Silverton." Mr Woodroffe said he was not against the wind farm, but did not like where the turbines would be erected. He said the Committee will "keep an eye" on developments.

Many residents were concerned about the environmental impact during construction, he said. "Up in the hills, for instance, once they start blasting up there and they break ground, silt will run down into Umberumberka reservoir... it will silt up the reservoir." He also said the Silverton Road will have up to 200 trips a day by 42m long, 5m wide low loaders. "What's that going to do to the road?" asked Mr Woodroffe.

He said Silverton was Broken Hill's biggest tourist attraction and this must be considered. The Committee has a meeting scheduled with Epuron on March 26. Various trusts in the township - such as Silverton Common Trust and Penrose Park Trust - will be invited to attend. "We decided they can address the whole community at once." Meanwhile, the Village Committee is working on a planning document for Silverton, in conjunction with the NSW Department of Lands and Western Lands Commissioner. "It will take us into the future, and state what we want and need as a town," said Mr Woodroffe.

He said he envisaged the plan would cover the wind farm or similar developments. "When the Epuron development application goes to the State Government, this planning document could go alongside it so the people making the decisions can see what Silverton is all about."