Antinuclear

Wind farm at Collector supported, despite one small “astroturf” group’s opposition

Wind farm claims local supporters, Canberra Times, July 27, 2012, John Thistleton Proponents of a $400 million, 68-turbine wind farm at Collector say most of the village residents support the project, which has moved a step closer to approval.
RATCH-Australia is expected to take two years building the region’s latest wind farm near the Federal Highway at Collector. It will generate up to 228 megawatts of electricity, or enough energy to power around 80,000 homes annually.

Chief executive Steve Loxton said the 60-day public exhibition period represented the culmination of years of research.
”Our surveys of local Collector residents confirm that there is strong support for renewable energy and we look forward to, indeed
encourage, the participation of the community and other stakeholders
during the public exhibition period,” he said.
”We believe our proposal has significant merit, not only through its
contribution towards helping meet Australia’s renewable energy target,
but also through it contribution to the local community and economy
through investment, employment and a $200,000 per annum community
benefit fund for Collector, which will be established once the wind
turbines are operational.”….. Collector farmer and Pumpkin Festival
president Gary Poile said he was all for the project, because the
proponents supported the community. ”There’s probably some against
it. There’s a group saying they’re friends of Collector, they’re not
very friendly and most don’t live here. There’s probably a whole lot
of people sitting on the fence on the issue.”…..
The environmental assessment report can be inspected at Poidevins
Cafe, Collector, Gunning Library, and Upper Lachlan Shire Council
offices in Crookwell and Gunning.
The proposal includes access tracks, local road upgrades, electrical
connections between the turbines and a new substation, as well as
meteorological masts and a maintenance building.
It is considering turbines ranging from two to 3.4 megawatts. Each
turbine will have towers with a maximum height of 90 metres and blades
up to 60 metres. (Turbines at the nearby Cullerin Range wind farm sit
on 80 metres towers and have 45 metre blades).
Up to 100 construction workers will work on the wind farm. Once
established and operating, 10 to 15 permanent jobs will be based at
Collector.  http://www.canberratimes.com.au/environment/wind-farm-claims-local-supporters-20120726-22vv7.html#ixzz21s0rFdpy

July 27, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | ACT, wind