As wind farm components begin to arrive in Moorabool Shire, communities are looking at opportunities.
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Almost a thousand turbines between Ararat and Geelong are either operational, under construction, or waiting for approval.
There is a push for more local employment, and promotion of local industries, especially from Moorabool Shire mayor Paul Tatchell.
All the turbines being constructed across the shire should provide more opportunities for people living there, he said.
The state government should be providing more support - he suggests a maintenance facility, or becoming Victoria’s new “electricity bowl”, instead of a food bowl.
“Why not create industry for regional people?” he said.
“There’s a long term legacy of cheap electricity, and employment for life - so be more creative about it.
“If we’re going to produce this stuff, surely we can create industry that’s power intensive.”
In Elaine, which will have a farm installed to its north, there are still concerns about communication, but the situation is improving.
With poor mobile and internet reception and an elderly population, getting messaging out to people can be difficult.
Regular community meetings have helped, as well as shopkeepers keeping newsletters in their businesses.
Concerns about trucks and potholes, for example, can be also be communicated back to the contractors.
Lal Lal Wind Farms will hold a community day when components begin arriving at the end of November, allowing people to see turbine blades up close.
It will also hold a noise demonstration at the Bungaree Recreation Reserve on November 20.
Some residents are planning to take advantage of construction, by encouraging tourism - they’ve asked engineers to design two-metre high replicas of the turbines, which can be placed around the town for curious highway drivers.
The roads around the projects are getting worn down by the heavy use, and companies are liaising with councils and VicRoads to ensure drivers remain safe.
A section of Bungeeltap South Road, at the intersection with Mt Wallace-Ballark Road, will have its tarmac removed during construction of the Moorabool South farm, and many other potholes are visible on the Ballan-Meredith Road.
Components are being unloaded at the Port of Geelong, and will travel by road to the sites.
For each of the 60 turbines, three blades, a nacelle, a hub, and three tower pieces must arrive in the right order, and foundations are beginning to be poured at various locations.
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