A proposed wind turbine development in the Boomanoomana area between Berrigan Rd and Yarrawonga Rd that sparked community opposition will not go ahead.
A letter was sent on Thursday, April 20 informing residents that the developer, Windlab, would not proceed with the planned wind farm which would have comprised of 26 turbines and a substation.
A company spokesperson confirmed the proposed development would not go ahead due to economic factors.
“The proposal for Berrigan Wind Farm does not offer the return required to justify further investment in its development,” the spokesperson said.
The plan had sparked some community backlash once it became public knowledge earlier this year.
On Wednesday, March 1 roughly 300 protestors had gathered at Lalalty District Hall to voice their displeasure at Windlab’s plan.
Local farmer Jason Noonan said he and many others were not happy with the proposed development.
“I just don’t feel they’re (wind turbines) right in our area,” Mr Noonan said.
Berrigan resident Carly Marriott, who helped lead community opposition to the plan, said there was a great deal of community concern regarding the proposal.
“It (the wind turbines) will also pose physical and mental health threats to our children,” she said.
For her, the reversal has been a vindication of the hard work she and other locals undertook.
“The community who were opposed to the turbines are relieved with the outcome,” she said.
Ms Marriott stressed that wind turbines had their place in Australia, and community opposition was based on location and not the turbines themselves.
“Wind energy has its place, but it’s not in built-up, highly productive agricultural regions like ours,” she said.
Ms Marriott said now the issue had been laid to rest, the community planned to move on.
“I do hope that we can continue to look at how renewable energy solutions can work in our landscape for the betterment of the environment and farm businesses,” she said.
For its part, Windlab has always maintained it wanted to work in partnership with locals and thanked them for their feedback.
“We respect the diversity of views of the community, and the time locals have taken to provide their feedback on the project proposal, which has been both positive and constructive,” the spokesperson said.