Wind farm could pay for projects

Barrier Daily Truth
Wednesday 12/3/2008 Page: 3

Wind farm revenue left over after compensation is paid to four Silverton graziers will fund community projects in the district, according to the Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly. Mr Kelly confirmed with BDT yesterday that his preference was that the money be put into a Western Lands Fund that would recommend community projects for consideration. He said the fund would involve two or three stakeholders who would work in an advisory capacity with the Department of Lands (Western Lands Advisory Council).

It would exist under the government's proposed lease/licence structure. and within the framework of the Public Reserves Management Fund. The proposal was raised with the Minister by the graziers who are seeking compensation for the wind farm proposed for their properties near Silverton. Their spokesman, Nigel Lawrence, said they did not want the government running the fund. "We've got a problem of the government being involved; it would make it too vulnerable," he said.

He said the graziers want the money to stay in the west in order it benefit local groups and organisations. The Minister responded by saying he had given a commitment that, in the event that development consent is granted and the project proceeds, the Western Division will be the beneficiary. "How this is realised will depend on the project's commencement, negotiations with the graziers and Epuron, and developing an understanding from the Western Division on what are some of the priorities for projects on Crown land that will provide public benefit for the broader community," said Mr Kelly.

He said the amount of money the fund would have available will be determined by the negotiations with Epuron on lease rentals. "It would not come from Western Lands lease fees and so would depend on the final negotiated land tenure structure," he said. Meanwhile, a vote on how residents feel about the wind farm was to be revealed at a meeting of the Silverton Village Committee last night.

The committee held the secret ballot to help it determine whether residents wanted it to support or oppose the wind farm. The Minister said the Government welcomed the views of the Silverton Village Committee and recognised that the wind farm proposal concerned the entire community. "The Government will continue to negotiate with the proponents, affected leaseholders and the community to ensure an equitable outcome for all," he said.