Wednesday 4/6/2008 Page: 3
Wind farm worries are on the agenda once more as a $100,000 wind monitoring tower at Mt Pollock was vandalised last month. With such drama surrounding the project it has been a constant vocal point. One often wonders are there really any benefits to wind farms as community opposition seems to be growing.The proposed wind farm in question is a 700ha site bordering Gnarwarre Rd, Mt Pollock Rd and Peels Rd. The vandalised monitoring tower had been functioning for two years before its removal to allow assessment of wind in the area. Surf Coast Shire councillor, Lindsay Schroeter, is a supporter of the controversial venture and believes wind farms do have the support, regardless of many who strongly voice against them.
"The community is divided no doubt, and many are trying to make a lot of excuses, but they still haven't convinced me." "I will be supporting the project as a councillor, and I think a majority of the council will also. Regardless of the support the planning will have to go to VCAT for planning." Cr Schroeter said he cannot speak for all the council but feels the development will be very favourable. Even with the vandalism last week Cr Schroeder feels renewable energy needs to take a big step in the wind turbine direction.
"When I heard the tower had been pulled down that made me very unhappy because my opinion is the wind farms have the numbers, even though many are saying they're not environmentally friendly." "When the wind blows these turbines it then blows onto the next one, it is all renewable energy and something certainly needs to happen because we can't keep on with the pollution we are producing now."
Even some of the most vigilant protesters seem to agree something does need to change. Whether it is turning to solar power, wave power, or wind power, sustainable renewable energy sources are soon becoming the way of the future. Future Energy managing director, David Shapero, said the removal of its wind monitoring tower will not affect the roll out of wind turbines. With 14 turbines reaching 80 meters anticipated for the Mt Pollock site, it is still in the very early days of application.
"Even if it gets a permit it still won't be built until 2010 because there is such a high demand for wind turbines all over the world. We are a bit behind the ball in Australia," Mr Shapero said. "We support this and feel it's vital to have a renewable energy target as the energy produced from just this proposed wind farm will produce enough energy to support 15,000 homes."
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