Open day for new wind farm

Hamilton Spectator
Thursday 1/3/2007 Page: 5

Glenthompson and district residents have the opportunity to learn about the proposed $180 million Oaklands Hill wind farm at a community open day on Saturday.

The open day will be held between 10am and 4pm at the Glenthompson War Memorial Hall and include information displays, a free sausage sizzle, and the opportunity to meet the experts behind the proposal.

The proposed wind farm, a few kilometres south of Glenthompson, will provide up to 60 jobs with million so dollars of potential opportunities for local employment and industry during the 12-18 month design and construction phase.

A private investment bank, Investec Bank and Windlab Systems will develop the wind farm. Wind farm spokesman, Mark Headland, said the 43-turbine wind farm would provide a major economic boost to the region which had been hit hard by drought. He encouraged all community members to attend the open day and receive firsthand information about the proposed farm.

"Research has shown that Oaklands Hill is one of the best sites for a wind farm in inland Victoria," he said. "Wind speeds here are usually associated with coastal areas." "We want residents to know and understand. how important renewable wind energy is to our future - both from an economic and environmental stance." Mr Headland said the wind farm would cut dioxide emissions by 364,000 tonnes annually while producing enough power to service 52.000 homes.