A wind speed mast has been erected south of Mt Mackenzie at Bungulla to measure wind speeds in the area and test whether or not it could be a viable location for a wind farm.

Chris Sweatman, Managing Director of RES Australia - the Australian branch of the United Kingdom based sustainable energy company carrying out the tests - said the wind mast was the very first step in a process that would take many years of planning, development and consultation before a farm could be established.

Mr Sweatman said the mast would measure wind speeds for at least six months - with state law allowing a maximum of 30 months - to determine if the site was a viable location for a wind farm. If the area was a viable location, Mr Sweatman said the project would then need around two years for planning and consultation before any construction would begin.

Tenterfield Shire Council has received one objection to the wind mast and John Hrobelko, Director of Environmental and Community Services, said he expected more.

In a report Mr Hrobelko described the possible wind farm as another potential ‘hot potato' for council to match issues like the heavy vehicle by-pass and the Transgrid high voltage powerlines.

He advised council it would be worthwhile gauging the feelings of the Tenterfield community to give RES Australia an indication of whether or not a wind farm would be supported in the local area.

The local headlines have regularly featured the fight against Transgrid's proposed new powerlines since the Tenterfield Star began reporting on the issue in April this year.

If a wind farm project at Bungulla was to be approved it would also need to be connected with the grid, which would mean the construction of a new section of line to an existing powerline.

This, coupled with objections of the wind farm itself, is an issue that the shire council is concerned with and Mr Hrobelko said that the council would have to side with the shire's prevalent thinking on the issue.

"Council needs to reflect the general public's opinion," Mr Hrobelko said, "but surely the public can weigh it all up and consider the benefits it would bring to the shire and the environment."

Mr Sweatman said that the construction of a new power line was to be expected if the farm was constructed, and that the company could not say at this stage what type of line would be required.

RES Australia is currently developing wind farms in Ararat, Victoria and Taralga, NSW.

The project at Taralga received approval for construction in 2007 after 10 years of wind monitoring.

Sixty-two turbines will be constructed on a ridgeline about five kilometres from the village and produce enough electricity to power 40,000 homes for a year.

The number of turbines for the potential Bungulla project could reach similar numbers, depending on how much land is available and the distances between dwellings, state heritage items and other such structures.