Windfarm plans go to Canberra by Troy Kippen

Colac Herald
Friday 12/1/2007 Page: 14

A windfarm company is confident of clearing the final hurdle to develop a 15-turbine windfarm at Newfield, near Port Campbell.

Acciona Energy Oceania lodged an application with the Department of Environment and Heritage for approval for the windfarm, eight kilometres north of Port Campbell. Acciona Energy Oceania project manager Julien Gaschignard said the company was confident of receiving approval from the Federal Government.

"The information contained in the summary is from independent environmental consultants who see no problems," Mr Gaschignard said. "We started a detailed environmental study of the area in early 2006," he said.

The consultants identified orangebellied parrot habitat in the area. The critically-endangered species came to fame last year when the Environment Minister Ian Campbell refused to approve a wind farm at Bald Hills, near the Gippsland coastline, to protect the species.

At the time Mr Campbell said the risk to the parrot was too great to risk the development. Mr Campbell approved the windfarm in December after criticism of his initial decision and design changes by the windfarm company, Wind Power. The company reported the eight month delay cost about $30 million.

The Newfield windfarm consultants said the parrot was not at risk because their development was eight kilometres from the coast. The orange-bellied parrot migrates along the coastline.

Mr Gaschignard said the company started planning the windfarm in 2003. The development received approval from state Planning Minister Justin Madden late last year. "We recorded wind speeds in the area and it was enough for a viable windfarm," he said.

Residents in the area were concerned that the development could be visible from the Great Ocean Road, and have a negative visual impact. Acciona Energy Oceania designed a three-dimensional model of what the wind farm would look like from the tourist road to alleviate the concerns of residents.

The company also had open days for people to get information about the proposed development. Mr Gaschignard said the company would apply for a permit from the Corangamite Shire after receiving federal approval.