Wind turbine amenity assessed

Northern Guardian
30/08/2006 Page: 3

THE construction of three giant wind turbines that will tower over Coral Bay to supply the developing town with electricity is expected to be given the green light by a committee tomorrow despite some residents saying they will become an eyesore.

A decision was made by the Carnarvon Shire Council last week to give the project approval on the condition that the Ningaloo Sustainable Development Committee (NSDC) assessed the visual impact.

A visual amenity assessment of the 55 metre towers being made by the NSDC is the final stage of the proposal before construction begins on sand dunes 1km south of the settlement.

NSDC director David Nunn has been working with Horizon Power on the project and developed three-dimensional computerised working models to view the proposed turbines from different positions of the townsite.

"What we do and what we ask Horizon Power to do is look at these from a number of viewing points," Mr Nunn said. He said the project had become a balancing act for the department to weigh up the two options, being optimum productivity and visual amenity.

The proposal to build the turbines that are capable of supplying 40 per cent of Coral Bay's electricity has been a cause of concern for some residents. While some say the towers act as a drawcard for tourists, others like Coral Bay Progress Association president Graham Murphy regard them as a monstrosity.

"The general consensus is most people are for an environmentally friendly power station, however there is an issue with the visual amenity in the area," Mr Murphy said.

"People are not going to travel this distance to see turbines." Horizon Power corporate affairs manager John Kitis said residents were to consider the environmental benefits the wind turbines created. "There is no other sensible form of renewable energy at this time apart from wind," Mr Kitis said.

It is understood the site is the first in Australia to trial large wind turbines that can be dismantled during strong winds in a cyclone prone area. The Environmental Protection Agency did not pursue a formal assessment of the project however an evaluation was satisfied with the location.