Green light for new wind farm

Ballarat Courier
Wednesday 21/2/2007 Page: 5

Hepburn Shire Mayor David Smith used his casting vote to give the green light to a wind farm at Leonards Hill.

At a council meeting at Drummond last night, Cr Janine Booth also voted in favour, while councillors Heather Mutimer and Bill McClenaghan both voted against the Hepburn Renewable Energy Association application. Cr Tim Hayes did not attend the public meeting, where a vote was also taken to stop a videographer from filming.

The wind farm proposal consists of two wind turbines, with an overall height of 109 metres, to be built on farmland at 2040 Ballan-Daylesford Rd, Leonards Hill about 10km south of Daylesford.

A council report said there had been 18 objections to the wind farm including noise pollution, visual impact, a reduction in land values, close proximity to David Smith houses, problems with shadow flicker and glint and possible effects on flora and fauna. However, the report said on balance it is considered the wind farm will contribute positively to the environment of Leonards Hill".

The community shall be provided with a sustainable and environmental friendly renewable energy source which will meet a large part of its needs for at least 25 years," the report said.

After the meeting, objectors said they would appeal the councils decision at VCAT where they were "hopeful their objections would be heard". Speaking against the application, Cr Mutimer told the meeting the steel and concrete structures would be as high as two 30-storey buildings and the proposal was based on inadequate and questionable studies.

Cr McClenaghan said he could not support "a project like this and sleep at night if it is going to destroy a community". The application was deficient in a range of data, including its indigenous survey and current background noise study, he said.

Speaking in favour of the application, Cr Booth said wind farms were an emotive issue, but she needed to balance residents concerns with "research, reports and evidence provided". Cr Smith said placing two turbines in each of the shires towns would make them self-sufficient for domestic needs.