Build more wind farms

Great Southern Star
Tuesday 27/2/2007 Page: 5

Fifty-six per cent of surveyed South Gippslanders believe new wind farms should be built between Phillip Island and Lakes Entrance in the next 10 years, a survey conducted late last year found.

Only 21 per cent of people thought no more wind farms should be built in that area. All up, 227 people in Leongatha, Wonthaggi, Meeniyan, Foster, Toora and Grantville completed the Gippsland Friends of Future Generations (GFFG) survey.

"GFFG publicly surveyed pedestrians in seven towns near wind farms in an attempt to determine the general public's attitude," group member, Blair Donaldson, said, while 72 per cent thought South Gippsland shire should conduct a postal ballot to determine community attitudes to wind farms.

Sixty-seven per cent said wind energy is an effective source of energy, and 77 per cent had no opinion on wind farms in the region or thought they were appropriate.

The Toora wind farm was voted more visually appealing than the Wonthaggi farm; 80 per cent were neutral or higher versus 72 per cent for Wonthaggi.

And while 72 per cent of those surveyed thought fossil fuels were the greatest cause of climate change, the survey did not establish if this led them to turn off air conditioners, have cold showers or drive less. Also interestingly, 14 per cent of people did not think Australia should try to develop clean coal technology for electricity generation.

Solar was the most preferred renewable energy source and was supported by 81 per cent surveyed, wind was next with 56 per cent, tidal (42 per cent) and wave (37 per cent).