HORSHAM Rural City Council and at least six nearby landowners have backed a plan to build one of Australia’s largest wind farms at Murra Warra.
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The $662-million, 116-turbine facility is set to be built about 25 kilometres north of Horsham after Victoria’s planning minister granted approval to operator Renewable Energy Systems.
The new project was approved during the middle of national and statewide debates over the cost and reliability of wind energy.
Wallup grain farmer Simon Tickner worked with RES during the pre-approval stages and will have some of the turbines placed on his land.
“There was a working group of six of us who spent a lot of time working through the nuts and bolts issues with RES on behalf of all the landowners,” he said.
“Part of our farming land is part of the wind farm project.”
Mr Tickner said he welcomed the project getting the green light.
“This has been a multi-year process for RES and the landholders,” he said.
“The planning approval is one of the biggest milestones in that process.”
Mr Tickner said all the nearby landowners who would not be getting wind turbines on their land had been consulted by RES.
“My understanding is that no objections whatsoever were put up. On an informal level, I’m not aware of any neighbours opposed to the project,” he said.
An economic assessment forecast that the construction phase would create about 600 direct and indirect jobs, with 60 ongoing jobs.
RES has stated that Horsham, Warracknabeal, Dimboola and Minyip should get an economic boost.
Horsham Rural City Council chief executive Peter Brown said the economy and community groups would benefit from the wind farm.
“They have worked very well with the landowners and we think it’s an important project for the region,” he said.
“It will generate quite considerable economic activity during construction, but more importantly, there will be some ongoing jobs.”
Mr Brown said RES had pledged to establish a community fund and make regular contributions to a variety of groups.
Horsham councillor Mark Radford said at the December 5 council meeting that wind energy was not as reliable as coal.
Mr Tickner said the wind farms would be a landmark, approaching the height of ABC’s 594 transmitter.