Windfarm plan in for council review

Hepburn Shire Advocate
Wednesday 15/11/2006, Page: 3

THE Hepburn Renewable Energy Association has submitted a planning application for a community-owned windfarm to be built at Leonards Hill. The Hepburn Shire Council building and planning department received the detailed application two weeks ago.

The application documents the design of the windfarm, planning requirements, the HREA, community ownership of the project and community activities including its wind farm bus trips. It also includes expert studies and a photographic simulation of the proposed site.

Worth $8 million, the proposed wind farm would comprise two wind turbines and be built on private farmland at Leonards Hill. The HREA was awarded a $975,000 State Government grant in August for the project.

Future Energy managing director David Shapero, who worked on the application, said he was very proud to be involved with the local community. He said the planning application had been done to the highest possible standard.

We hope the council will look at it favourably," Mr Shapero said. HREA president Per Bernard was excited to take the next step. "I'm so excited to give the community the chance to decide. This is where the community gets its say," he said.

"We have had fantastic support from the community." Council's director of infrastructure and development Rod Conway said it was unusual to get a planning application for a wind farm.

HREA has attracted 370 members, and has been working with Future Energy for the past 18 months on the project. Mr Shapero said if the planning application was successful a cooperative would be established and a formal prospectus would be launched within six months.

"All going well, the association and Future Energy hope to have the wind park within 18 months," he said.

For more information visit www.hrea.org.au or contact Per Bernard on 5348 1298.