Barrier Daily Truth
Thursday 12/6/2008 Page: 1
Local businesses have been given a look at the opportunities that might be available to them through the proposed Silverton wind farm development. Representatives of Epuron, the company behind the project, were among a number of speakers at Tuesday night's launch of Business Broken Hill, formerly the Chamber of Commerce. About 100 people attended the launch at the Musicians' Club, according to president Robin Edgecumbe, who said the "over-riding feeling" was one of increased confidence in the city.
Mr Edgecumbe said that Epuron executive director, Andrew Durran, gave those present an "insight" into the sort of opportunities that would open up to local businesses as part of the $2 billion wind farm development, and how they could be "gearing up" now to take advantage of those opportunities.
Epuron wants to build up to 500 wind turbines on four properties near Silverton that would generate up to 1000 megawatts of power. Up to 700 jobs could be created during the two-year construction phase and another 120 full-time positions.
The company, which is still to secure all of the funds needed to proceed with the project, earlier this month announced that it had submitted an Environmental Assessment for the project to the NSW Department of Planning. Epuron has said the company would require just about every type of industry service by the time construction starts, as early as 2009. Mr Edgecumbe said Tuesday's launch also heard from State MP John Williams, City Council's General Manager Frank Zaknich, and the chairman of the Outback Development Forum, Kevin Taylor.
He said the feeling at the launch was one of a "much-heightened level of confidence in the business community." But he said those who spoke also stressed the importance of businesses, agencies and government working together. Meanwhile, those who attended heard about a number of new initiatives that have been developed as part of changes introduced by Business Broken Hill. Mr Edgecumbe said a soon-to-be-launched website would give investors in need of local services easier access to businesses, as well as provide training and other information to members.
The website, which will have links to other government and non-government agencies, will be online within two months, according to Mr Edgecumbe, who said it would be in a constant stage of development. Mr Edgecumbe said the name change and increase in services being offered had been six months in the making and was all about attracting new members. "We've still got a lot of work ahead of us but some of the fruits of our toil are now visible."
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