15 turbines for Cullerin

Goulburn Post
Friday 2/3/2007 Page: 3

A WINDFARM containing up to 15 turbines has been approved for the Cullerin Range. The lemma Government approved the new wind faun yesterday after a thorough environmental assessment and public feedback on the proposal.

Planning Minister Frank Sartor said he had imposed 105 conditions of approval to strike a balance between local interests and the broader environmental benefits of green energy. The Cullerin Wind Farm will be built 40km southwest of Goulburn, on the Cullerin Range, with the $50 million project expected to create around 50 construction jobs.

"Any wind farm proposal is assessed in detail, looking at any concerns of local residents and how we might address them," Mr Sartor said. "In this instance, after listening to community feedback, I imposed more than 100 conditions on the proposal. "At the same time, this project will provide a new, clean, renewable source of energy for the State's growing population - meeting the average consumption needs of 12,000 homes.

"It will also save around 95,000 tonnes of greenhouse emissions each year - the equivalent of removing up to 19,000 cars from our roads." The wind farm is expected to produce up to 95,000 MWh of renewable electricity per year for 30 years.

The Minister's conditions include:

• The proponent must negotiate individual landscaping for residents within 4km and with views of the wind farm upon request to help minimise any visual impact; and
• The project must comply with noise limits recommended in the South Australian Noise Guidelines.

The project was publicly exhibited in mid-2006 and submissions from the public, Council and government agencies were considered in the assessment process.