Moyne backs $300m wind farm

Hamilton Spectator
Saturday 24/3/2007 Page: 3

Moyne Shire Council has overwhelmingly supported a $300 million wind farm proposed at Ryan Corner, north west of Port Fairy. The wind farm is being developed by TME Australia, which also has a 31-turbine, $145 million wind farm earmarked for Hawkesdale. A special council meeting last week gave approval to the Ryan Corner wind farm with seven councillors supporting it and only Cr Jim Doukas opposed.

The State Government will make the final decision on the 68-turbine wind farm. The 68 turbines will cover 3600 hectares between the Hamilton-Port Fairy Rd and the Shaw River, about 12 kms north west of Port Fairy and three kilometres from Yambuk.

Moyne Shire agreed to support the wind farm but wanted the developers to provide detailed traffic and environmental plans, and a 365- metre 'buffer zone' to adjoining properties. There were just three submissions - one in support, one opposed and one that wanted assurances that water runoff and water quality wouldn't be changed as a result of the wind farm, and that fire hazard risk could be avoided.

TME Australia says there will be 120 people employed during construction of the towers over 18 months, and up to eight full-time jobs. About $1 million is expected to be directly injected into the local economy annually.