Future Energy is developing a three turbine wind farm at Chepstowe, approximately 30 km west of Ballarat, Victoria. The proposed wind farm will produce enough renewable energy annually to power over 3,400 average households.
About the project
This information comes directly from the proponent, Future Energy.
Image: Future Energy
The proposed wind farm will be located on the high ground along Chepstowe‑Pittong Rd between Carngham-Streatham Rd and Mortchup‑Mount Emu Rd. The site for the wind turbines is shown in the map and consists of cleared farming land. The current farming activities will continue unchanged after the wind farm is built and operating.
This site was chosen for the following reasons:
· It receives undisturbed wind flow with strong, consistent wind speeds
· There are large setbacks to nearby dwellings
· It is relatively distant from tourist attractions and major roadways
· The existing land use is grazing and cropping, and therefore there will be minimal impact on flora or fauna
· It is in close proximity to the electrical grid and offers easy site access.
Further information on the specifics of the project can be found here.
Concerns have been raised about possible impacts on Brolga populations in the area. In analysing the risk assessment undertaken by Brett Lane & Associates P/L for Future Energy, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) said that “there is no evidence to suggest that flocks of Brolgas regularly use this site during the flocking season. DSE therefore accepts the conclusion that the risk to flocking Brolgas posed by this development is likely to be very low”.
In their conclusion, they said “DSE is satisfied that the turbine layout proposed in this report is likely to have a very small impact on Brolgas”.
They did note that “there is insufficient detail provided about any proposed new or upgraded powerlines to confirm whether there will be any impacts associated with new or existing powerlines.
You can find their report here.
other benefits of the project
The location of the project. Image: BREAZE
The following comes from Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions Inc (BREAZE):
· The project fits easily within the Liberal Government’s new policy on wind farms. Neville (the land owner) is the only one living within 2km of the turbine locations and Chepstowe is not on the list of “no-go zones” published by the Liberals in May of last year. With setbacks of 2km or more to the nearest home, the project exceeds the setback requirements of current and proposed State Govt Planning Guidelines, as well as the demands of many wind farm opposition groups.
· There is no significant danger to the brolga population in the surrounding area. Neville has been active in the local Brolga Recovery Group and has been working to improve brolga habitat on his property for at least 25 years. Expert studies have demonstrated that the project will have no impact on the local Brolga population, and no impact on other flora and fauna, or cultural heritage. The Dept of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has endorsed these findings.
· Disruptions to native grasslands will be minimal and will be fully offset by the establishment of new grassland on the property.
· The project involves no new substations and all new power lines will be underground – it will connect directly into the existing power line.
· The large setback distances eliminate any noise impact, and dramatically reduce the visual impact of a small project like this. For most locals the turbines will be barely visible behind trees or against the sky, and no night lighting is required
· The project will have no impact on the farming activities of the landowner
· The project will annually abate 22,000 tonnes of CO2 while providing power equivalent to the needs of 3,400 homes.
The story so far
An application for Development Approval was lodged with the Pyrenees Shire Council in February 2010. As the Council had not made a determination within the time prescribed under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, Future Energy then referred the application to VCAT.
In January 2011, the new planning minister, Matthew Guy, announced that he would ‘call in’ the project.
The Victorian Planning Department held hearings in February 2011 on the permit application for the proposed Chepstowe wind farm.
As the first test of the Coalition Government’s new wind farm policy, the outcome of the case will have big implications for other proposed wind farms around the state. A final decision on the proposal by the Minister is expected by March 2011. Please write a letter to the Planning Minister urging him to approve the project.
Please take action
You can find a letter to the Premier and Planning Minister here.
Please also ask your friends to sign the alert.
Mary T. Hennessy
March 8, 2011
To the Premier of Victoria, Mr. Ted Bailleau. SUBJECT: CHEAPSTOWE Wind Farm:
I would strongly support the approval for a Wind Farm to be established 30 km west of Ballarat at Chepstowe for the following reasons:
1. It would annually be able to produce enough energy to power over 3,400 average households in Victoria withrenewable energy’ and this is surely needed in our state.
2.The site receives undisturbed wind flow with strong consistent wind speeds.
3. There are large setbacks to nearby dwellings and it is fairly distant from tourist attractions and major roadways.
4. The existing land use is grazing and cropping and it will therefor have minimal impact on flora and fauna while research on damage to Brolgas has been been shown to be minimal and approved and endorsed by the Department of Sustainability and environment.
5 Establishment of new grassland on the property will outweigh any disruptions to native grasslands.
6The project involves no new substations and all new power lines will beunderground. It will connect directly into the exizting power line
7 The project will have no impact on the farming activities of the landowner and will abateannually 22,000 tonnes of CO2 while providing equivalent to the needs of 3,400 homes.
HOW COULD YOU, Mr. Bailleau withhold your support from such a valuable project?
Yours sincerely Mary T.
Val Stepnell
May 4, 2011
Any wind turbine is a disaster in the rural landscape. For those urbin based experts who preach their spin doctoring do not live near them.Put them in the towns close to where the tiny amount of power they produce can be used.
From personal experience the the tragedy which has effected our family and business we would not bless this on anybody.
STOP ALL WINTURBINES ON RURAL LANDSCAPES.
Jesper
May 9, 2011
Val – would you prefer to live next to a coal pit in the latrobe valley?
sammy davidson
May 9, 2011
at least the coal actually works all of the time! why dont you disconnect from the coal fired grid and just rely on wind to use your computer?
I cant believe the disrespect some on here have for people so badly effected by shoddy development, if it was done right the first time i probably wouldnt even be here making comments.
Alex Grew
May 9, 2011
Sammy, the thing you are missing here is that burning coal produces CO2. Vast amounts of it. Hazelwood emits more than 500kg each second.
While you may not have a problem with our current level of carbon emissions, our government (with Coalition and Greens support) has committed to reducing our carbon emissions. In line with this, and again with the support of the Coalition and the Greens, we have a technology neutral federal program to develop renewable energy, the RET.
Right now most of the RET driven development is going in to wind only because it is the cheapest form available at scale, but as soon as you can develop a cheaper technology, the market will shift to your new technology. Stop whinging, and get on and find some solutions.
sammy davidson
May 9, 2011
It still doesnt make wind work when its needed.
So whats the point?
There are other energy production methods that work on demand, I would suggest that even if they cost more they are worth alot more than wind, geothermal and hydro energy could both be used much more effectivly and reduce much more pollution than wind energy.
Wind energy is high cost, low value, where as geothermal is high cost, high value, hydro is also very cost effective, but seems to be disliked by some…
Alex Grew
May 9, 2011
The point is that wind energy is currently the lowest cost renewable energy source available at scale, and will remain so for some time. As soon as the other technologies produce energy at a lower cost you’ll see all the developers rush there. Pacific Hydro and HydroTas are both significant wind developers now, but you’ll see them rush to other technologies when they become cheaper than wind.
Your assertion that wind energy is low value is not backed up by market data. Wind energy is sold in the market at prices very near average market prices.
Again Sammy, your fundamental opposition to wind energy stands between you and a genuine understanding.
Cam Walker
May 11, 2011
hi all
we just got a post from Brian Smith, which I have accidently deleted. Apologies for this. When I emailed Brian my message to him bounced, suggesting its another anonymous account set up by one of our anti-wind spammers. Brian, you are welcome to re-post your comment.
HOWEVER, please note that general comments on wind energy should go here:
http://yes2renewables.org/the-soapbox/soapbox-wind-energy/
And the derogatory comments you made about an individual are not acceptable, so you will need to delete that bit.
Thanks, Cam
gordon sholl
May 11, 2011
come on Cam Walker this is a biased site that only has four followers whom refuse to acknowledge any posts other than their’s
[a note from Cam: this is the last warning, please post in the relevant section in future, or be deleted. You won't be able to say you were silenced, just that you were too obstinant to follow the (very basic) rules we have set to make this site manageable].
Cam Walker
May 11, 2011
And Gordon, its patently ridiculous to say we have ignored other peoples posts – just scroll through almost any section and it will be clear that statement is un-true, there have been many long conversations with a range of folks.
This is a pro-renewables site (the name yes2renewables kind of gives that one away). If you want to call that biased, then you’re welcome to do so. However, we give everyone a go (except for the tragic people who feel the need to pretend they are actually five or 6 people by setting up imaginary names for themselves but post from the same computer, and those who are libelous in their statements).
sammy davidson
May 11, 2011
Alex, i have a pretty good understanding of the electricy industry, including wind energy amongst others.
Wind energy is a joke in industry circles, its widly known it really doesnt work as stated.
It wasnt long ago either that the CEO of origin energy claimed wind wasnt any good, but what do you know our stupid government decided a bigger handout was needed and even they got involved to, so you cant blame pacific hydro or tas hydro for looking for a easy dollar to.
Wind energy is not sold at a true market price, you forgot to mention the REC’s which the consumer must pay for in their increased electricity bill, you also forgot that this energy can be produced at 2am when there is no demand, but yet still have to pay for the recs! what a stupid idea!
John
January 25, 2013
Put Windfarms where people aren’t affected. I suggest down the centre of Nepean hwy leading to the City of Melbourne, remove all the trees and replace with windfarms. The City uses the electricity the most. What about Portsea, Sorrento, where all the well healed are and Politicians have holiday houses. Look at Waubra, what a mess. See how they got them in, give money to the CFA, The School, The Football Club. They covered all their bases and now they are there.
Leeroy
January 30, 2013
“What about Portsea, Sorrento, where all the well healed are and Politicians have holiday houses”
Ted’s VC82 – banned wind farms on the Mornington Peninsula to protect such holiday houses.
As for Waubra – the town is booming and the same six people a having a whinge – what’s new?
Yolanta
March 3, 2013
What I don’t like about wind farms is that we are told they do not devalue the land and do not impact land owners. I didn’t object to the windfarm and now I would like to build on the land we have held for many years, yet they have a right to decide if we can or not!!! Land values have declined in wind farm areas.