Wednesday 23 February 2011

New wind farm another Waterloo

Adelaide Advertiser
18 February 2011, Page: 7

Black Springs resident Kerry Heinrich is happy to have wind turbines in her backyard. At yesterday's launch of the Waterloo Wind Farm 30km from Clare. Ms Heinrich said the 37 wind turbines created only "background noise". "I think they are quite stunning", she said. "They are just part of the landscape now".

Wind farm developer Roaring 40s said the project would generate up to 111 MWs of power, enough to power 46,000 homes. About 10 protesters gathered at the entrance to the wind farm and held signs with messages such as "turbines kill rural communities" and "more research needed". Residents had raised concerns including turbine noise and health issues such as sleep deprivation.

In Waterloo for the launch, Premier Mike Rann said international studies had found no negative health impacts from wind farms. "If people are going to say that clean, green energy is wrong what are we going to do, go back to coal power?" he said.

Roaring 40s managing director Steve Symons said the company had worked with the community and the vast majority of it was in support. More wind farms were planned for nearby Stony Gap and Robertstown.

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