Money seen as problem for wind farm developers
Crookwell Gazette|May 27, 2010
This in particular lay in the requirement that the developer, Epuron, either buy 14 affected properties or remove 19 turbines from the project. However, Mr. Price-Jones told Council that if the landholder refused to sell, the developer could just "rub his hands and say goodie, goodie," and go ahead with the turbines involved.
This in particular lay in the requirement that the developer, Epuron, either buy 14 affected properties or remove 19 turbines from the project. However, Mr. Price-Jones told Council that if the landholder refused to sell, the developer could just "rub his hands and say goodie, goodie," and go ahead with the turbines involved.
Mr. Price-Jones addressed Upper Lachlan Council on the decision at last week's meeting at Crookwell.
He and his wife, Jenny, both gave the view that the gains for affected landholders from the Court decisions were more apparent than real.
This in particular lay in the requirement that the developer, Epuron, either buy 14 affected properties or remove 19 turbines from the project.
However, Mr. Price-Jones told Council that if the landholder refused to sell, the developer could just "rub his hands and say goodie, goodie," and go ahead with the turbines involved.
He spoke strongly on the affect on his own family, as his son and daughter-in-law had built a home on the edge of his property.
"I might have to sell my property because …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]Mr. Price-Jones addressed Upper Lachlan Council on the decision at last week's meeting at Crookwell.
He and his wife, Jenny, both gave the view that the gains for affected landholders from the Court decisions were more apparent than real.
This in particular lay in the requirement that the developer, Epuron, either buy 14 affected properties or remove 19 turbines from the project.
However, Mr. Price-Jones told Council that if the landholder refused to sell, the developer could just "rub his hands and say goodie, goodie," and go ahead with the turbines involved.
He spoke strongly on the affect on his own family, as his son and daughter-in-law had built a home on the edge of his property.
"I might have to sell my property because of towers looming over it.
"There is no choice whatsoever; you have to sell to the developer or not sell it at all.
"You are given three months to decide; there is no way in three months you could find a property to match what we have now.
"Also, my family wouldn't be close to us - it would divide the family.
"The reasons we live where we live are going to be destroyed because we will hav e three towers on our boundaries.
"But we won't be able to sell it even if we wanted to move.
"This affects a lot of people along the Gullen Range, and as a result Council will lose control over that part of the Shire.
"Epuron representatives have no regard for the effect on the landscape and on the people.
"They will completely destroy what the Shire has, by turning it into a vase industrial landscape.
"The only thing in our favour is that they have no money."
Mr. Price-Jones said that the developers were "full of confidence" until asked about finances.
He concluded: "What they're doing to other families and what they have done to my family is disgraceful."
Mrs. Price-Jones pointed out to Council that from now on objectors to such developments will not have access to the courts because of legislation brought down by the State Government.
And additionally, the Court had decided against the Council's bid to have Community Enhancement contributions based on generating capacity rather than a per tower amount.
And most of that money would go to nearby residents rather than the Council.