Blowing in the windResidents concerned about proposed wind farm for Koyuga Nanneella area
By Aaron Cordy
SUSTAINABLE renewable energy is at the forefront of the global community as we reduce global emissions for a longer brighter future. While most understand the need for renewable energy, the trouble is that no one wants it in their backyard.
Two proposed wind farm sites in the Koyuga Nanneella area, west of Kyabram, have residents concerned about possible noise pollution. While many ask why the wind farms can’t be put out in the middle of the outback, Australia’s infrastucture is not capable of transferring it back to populated centres where it is needed.
Fera Australia chose Koyuga Nanneella for the 20-25 wind turbines because of its strong wind resources and proximity to the Bendigo-Shepparton 220kV transmission line, located to the south of the project area.
At a community meeting hosted by Fera in Nanneella, locals expressed concerns over the proximity of the turbines to homes, which was reduced from 2Km to 1Km after the 2015 election. To address these concerns Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called on the Minister for Planning to review the windfarm setback distance.
“My constituents have serious and legitimate concerns about the effects of increasingly larger wind turbines, and I urge the Minister to review the current setback distance and consider extending it to 1.5 or 2 kilometres,” said Ms Lovell.
While Fera did not reply to the Adviser’s enquiry, their website maintains that at 300 metres, wind turbines are barely louder than a modern household fridge. At 1Km, turbines are often barely audible.
