About 250 people packed the Nanneella Community Hall on Monday evening, July 1, to learn about the proposed wind farm in the Koyuga and Nanneella area.
The event was hosted by Fera Australia, a renewable energy company that is scoping the region to see if a wind farm would be a viable option.
Fera Australia director Andrew Lawson and project manager Cristiano Diaz spoke to the audience.
The proposed project includes 20 to 25 wind turbines around McKenzie Rd, Koyuga, extending towards Rochester and down to Rushworth for grid connection.
The turbines would range from 120m to 180m high, with blades that are 85m long.
Current guidelines enforce a 1km setback from a turbine to a home, so that noise levels are not higher than 45 decibels.
It is estimated that the energy output of the wind farms would power 200,000 homes.
The project would also provide 350 to 550 construction jobs and 10 to 20 full-time staff following its construction.
The meeting was an opportunity for locals to learn more about the project and put questions to Fera, which will spend two years consulting the community.
It intends to hold more consultation sessions in the area.
Residents mainly asked about noise levels and the long-term impacts of living near wind turbines.
Some were passionate about the issue and presented their objections to Fera from the outset, while others were interested in understanding if their property, health, finances and day-to-day would change with the project.
Resident Vicki Winwood, living near the proposed project, wants Fera to carefully consider the noise and environmental impact.
She is particularly concerned about the new legislation reducing the setback from 2km to 1km from a wind turbine.
“I’m all for renewables because I’ve got a young boy and I want our planet to be a good place for him to grow up,” she said.
“But I think what we need to do is not just rush at it.
“The height of the turbine is 100m taller than the usual 150m turbine that the legislated set back distances relate to.
“Fera agreed that neighbouring properties would be exposed to nuisance noise.”
Representatives from Fera said they would need enough interest from residents who are willing to lease their land to the company to achieve about the 40 to 50 turbine mark on the project in order for it to be viable.
They would also need to measure wind speeds of 7 or 8m/s at a minimum for the turbines to be effective.
Fera has asked community members to contact it about their concerns and reach out over the phone or by email with questions.
It plans to host more meetings and create a community consultation group.
Fera Australia director Andrew Lawson can be contacted via email on a.lawson@feraaustralia.com.au or phone on 0481 234 229.
Resident Vicki Winwood is happy to speak on residents’ behalf and can be contacted on knowtsg@gmail.com
Questions can also be submitted to Campaspe News to be asked.