If nothing else, you have to admire the chutzpah of Wind Power Pty Ltd. the controversial wind energy company seeking approval for Victoria's biggest wind farm.

After achieving unwanted notoriety for the orange-bellied parrot farce, Wind Powers wants Brumby Government approval for a massive 282 turbine project spread across 250 sq. km. west of Ballarat. In an apparent try-on, the company this week said it did not believe an environmental effects study into the project was "warranted".

This is despite Wind Power's own research showing Stockyard Hill is a potential site for the nationally threatened striped legless lizard and the golden sun moth as well as the threatened brolga. It says it can manage any impact on these species without an EES.

Wind Power claims "overwhelming" support from residents but won't hold a public meeting claiming it would be "hijacked" by opponents. It prefers "information sessions" saying the fact that no residents responded to advertisements for individual meetings showed local support, not distrust of the company, apathy or ignorance. Pyrenees Shire Mayor Lester Harris has offered to convene a public meeting.

Interestingly, the council has approved three smaller wind projects, and Harris thinks the project is likely to go ahead with conditions. But he is also convinced it would be "ludicrous" for such a huge project to be green-lighted without an EES.

Another complication is that according to the company, 60 property holders have signed on to host turbines. At $7500 a year per turbine -- $2.1 million shared amount the recipients -- it is an attractive pay-off. Wind Power denies the landholders will be liable if turbines are decommissioned. It says liability will rest with the company that it hopes will eventually take on the operation. As it admits, Wind Power is just the developer and is too small to own or fund the project. That said, it can't say who will.

In opposition, John Brumby was credited with identifying and capitalizing on the regional and rural dissent that brought down Jeff Kennett. He will be taking a significant political risk if he doesn't give Stockyard Hill closer attention.