Article
No cooling breeze in wind debate
Yass Tribune|Rowena Weir|December 15, 2005
Keep wind turbines out of Yass Valley Council area and maintain pristine ridge lines was the overwhelming message from a meeting in Bowning last Tuesday night. Organised for those concerned about the proposed installation of wind generators on Black Range west of Yass, the meeting elected a committee to lobby local and state governments, and to raise awareness within the local community.
Keep wind turbines out of Yass Valley Council area and maintain pristine ridge lines was the overwhelming message from a meeting in Bowning last Tuesday night. Organised for those concerned about the proposed installation of wind generators on Black Range west of Yass, the meeting elected a committee to lobby local and state governments, and to raise awareness within the local community.
If the overseas backed company Taurus Energy Pty Ltd's proposal to erect sixteen 125-metre turbines is accepted by relevant landholders and approved by government "people's lives will be destroyed" said Astley Tually who was elected committee chairman.
"Dominating the landscape, the turbines would be visible from points all over the shire. Besides visual pollution there is also the concern of noise pollution which at times can affect people living up to five kilometres away.
"Dominating the landscape, the turbines would be visible from points all over the shire. Besides visual pollution there is also the concern of noise pollution which at times can affect people living up to five kilometres away.
"The United Kingdom experience is that land values have dropped to the extent where people cannot even sell their properties," said Mr Tually.
Although the State Government has committed to ten percent of power being derived from renewable sources, there is a threat …
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Although the State Government has committed to ten percent of power being derived from renewable sources, there is a threat …
If the overseas backed company Taurus Energy Pty Ltd's proposal to erect sixteen 125-metre turbines is accepted by relevant landholders and approved by government "people's lives will be destroyed" said Astley Tually who was elected committee chairman.
"Dominating the landscape, the turbines would be visible from points all over the shire. Besides visual pollution there is also the concern of noise pollution which at times can affect people living up to five kilometres away.
"Dominating the landscape, the turbines would be visible from points all over the shire. Besides visual pollution there is also the concern of noise pollution which at times can affect people living up to five kilometres away.
"The United Kingdom experience is that land values have dropped to the extent where people cannot even sell their properties," said Mr Tually.
Although the State Government has committed to ten percent of power being derived from renewable sources, there is a threat "we could have windmills from here to the beach," Mr Tually said.
"The cost to the community in declining land values and visual pollution is astronomical for the benefit of one or two," said concerned resident Richard Walker. "It is a tragedy to think Council would even think of letting [the proposal] go ahead.
"The construction of these wind turbines would affect everyone in the Yass district. No one will want to come and live here. The construction of the Hume Highway duplication has been one of the greatest assets for the development of Yass and district, but these wind turbines will turn everyone away.
"My family is opposing this development as it would be very detrimental to the whole district," Mr Walker concluded to a receptive audience.
The only speaker from the floor appearing to be in favour of the development, a landholder who may be considering accepting an offer from Taurus Energy to erect wind turbines on his property, said those against the proposal were jealous of the money offered by the company.
Representatives from Molonglo Landscape Guardians and Spring Range Guardians addressed the meeting offering advice and encouragement for the Yass campaign.
"In fighting within the community would only weaken the campaign," said Wendy Bell vice president of Molonglo Landscape Guardians (MLG). This she explained divides the community increasing the leverage of the wind power companies.
MLG has the support of local MPs, Palerang Council and Queanbeyan City Council in their campaign, Ms Bell said.
Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson has said wind turbines have a place in our society but not when they cause bitter divisions in local communities and certainly not when they impact on lifestyle, the environment, land values and the wellbeing of residents.
Graham of Spring Range Guardians reported to the meeting that Ms Hodgkinson has said the construction of wind farms is dividing communities, something she does not want in her electorate.
There are numerous wind turbines in the Crookwell district where, Graham said, a number of farms are now unsaleable and residents can't sleep because of the noise created by the turbines.
Astley Tually said it is paramount that the Bowning, Bookham and Yass community lobby together just in case the landholders involved agree to sign with Taurus Energy.
The sixteen turbines planned for the initial proposal on Black Range would each reach 125 metres in height casting giant shadows, and shadow flicker as the fans turn. Each would produce noise levels of 105 decibels, and Mr Tually continued, police stop parties at 45 decibels.
"This is a fight for the whole shire," Mr Tually continued, "people's lives will be destroyed.
"Contact the committee and let us know of your support.
"Stand up and say you're against wind turbines in Yass Valley shire," he concluded.
Although the State Government has committed to ten percent of power being derived from renewable sources, there is a threat "we could have windmills from here to the beach," Mr Tually said.
"The cost to the community in declining land values and visual pollution is astronomical for the benefit of one or two," said concerned resident Richard Walker. "It is a tragedy to think Council would even think of letting [the proposal] go ahead.
"The construction of these wind turbines would affect everyone in the Yass district. No one will want to come and live here. The construction of the Hume Highway duplication has been one of the greatest assets for the development of Yass and district, but these wind turbines will turn everyone away.
"My family is opposing this development as it would be very detrimental to the whole district," Mr Walker concluded to a receptive audience.
The only speaker from the floor appearing to be in favour of the development, a landholder who may be considering accepting an offer from Taurus Energy to erect wind turbines on his property, said those against the proposal were jealous of the money offered by the company.
Representatives from Molonglo Landscape Guardians and Spring Range Guardians addressed the meeting offering advice and encouragement for the Yass campaign.
"In fighting within the community would only weaken the campaign," said Wendy Bell vice president of Molonglo Landscape Guardians (MLG). This she explained divides the community increasing the leverage of the wind power companies.
MLG has the support of local MPs, Palerang Council and Queanbeyan City Council in their campaign, Ms Bell said.
Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson has said wind turbines have a place in our society but not when they cause bitter divisions in local communities and certainly not when they impact on lifestyle, the environment, land values and the wellbeing of residents.
Graham of Spring Range Guardians reported to the meeting that Ms Hodgkinson has said the construction of wind farms is dividing communities, something she does not want in her electorate.
There are numerous wind turbines in the Crookwell district where, Graham said, a number of farms are now unsaleable and residents can't sleep because of the noise created by the turbines.
Astley Tually said it is paramount that the Bowning, Bookham and Yass community lobby together just in case the landholders involved agree to sign with Taurus Energy.
The sixteen turbines planned for the initial proposal on Black Range would each reach 125 metres in height casting giant shadows, and shadow flicker as the fans turn. Each would produce noise levels of 105 decibels, and Mr Tually continued, police stop parties at 45 decibels.
"This is a fight for the whole shire," Mr Tually continued, "people's lives will be destroyed.
"Contact the committee and let us know of your support.
"Stand up and say you're against wind turbines in Yass Valley shire," he concluded.