Pykes Hill wind farm proposal rejected

By Pat Nolan
Updated November 2 2012 - 2:29pm, first published August 22 2010 - 1:30pm

THE MOORABOOL Shire Council remains adamant the proposed Pykes Hill wind farm should not go ahead.The application for the proposed $18 million, three-turbine wind station was refused at a council meeting last Wednesday.Future Energy, the applicant company, will now appeal the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.Moorabool Shire mayor Pat Toohey said the proposal was insufficient and proper research had not been carried out."There was insufficient work done on the studies prepared. The applicants did not adequately assess the risks to the native fauna or consider the rights of the nearby residents," he said. Council reached a unanimous decision opposing the wind farm after the community voiced its concerns in relation to the issue."The community have been very vocal expressing their concerns about the process," Cr Toohey said."We'd like the state government to take seriously the concerns we have raised."The community is becoming very sceptical about the whole process about whether their voices are being heard or not."He said turbines should be set back at least two kilometres from residents and argued that Future Energy only chose the location because they were "trying to get close to the power grid because it's cheap".The proposal by Future Energy states there are "good setbacks from urban residences". It is not yet known when the VCAT hearing will be held.Future Energy could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

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