Wind turbines on rural land in Victoria. A wind farm project proposed for northern Victoria has been quiet but not abandoned.
Photo by
Christopher Freeman
The company hoping to build two wind farms on farm land in the Nanneella and Rushworth area, is continuing to gather data on wind strength.
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Fera Australia is proposing to build 20 to 25 turbines on the sites, and to connect the output to the nearby Bendigo-Shepparton 220kV transmission line, located to the south of the project area.
Fera has told the community it is interested in the location because of the strong wind resources and proximity to the main transmission line.
Fera Australia director Andrew Lawson told Country News the company is using ground based SODAR equipment to gather more information on wind in the district, although the company has not yet put up a mast which is still proposed.
SODAR is an acronym for sonic detection and ranging using sound waves.
Fera Australia’s plans were outlined at a meeting in the Nanneella public hall attended by about 200 people, in July last year.
The shaded areas indicate the proposed site for the wind farms.
A petition to reject the proposed wind farm, submitted to the Legislative Council of Victoria, has attracted more than 1000 signatures.
A community group called KNOWT, Koyuga Nanneella Opposing Wind Turbines, has also been formed.
Mr Lawson said the project was moving along slowly.
“We will move slowly over the next 12 months to make sure we are not pushing the community into anything.
Mr Lawson said they had not purchased any properties, but were seeking expressions of interest at this stage.
“Once we have identified the properties we are interested in, we will move towards more formal arrangements.”
“These things can take up to five years.”
Fera Australia is promising a community benefit program where projects nominated by the community are funded.
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