THE PROPONENTS
Wind Power Pty Ltd is a Melbourne-based developer of wind farms in Australia. Wind Power has four current industrial wind farm projects, namely the Tuki site at Stoney Rises, Smeaton; as well as Bald Hills, Wonthaggi, and Lexton.
Visit link to see who Wind-Power Pty Ltd are; Wind_Power_Who_We_Are.pdf
With a paid up capital of a mere $100, Wind-Power Pty Ltd is well recognized for its cavalier tactics as they elect to move into areas identified as a possible targets for wind turbines. They then seek to sign up landholders into secret agreements, which ultimately place the risk of such a project squarely upon that of the landholder. The landowner is then left to bear the risk of disrupting their neighbours' well-being and amenity, possible fire risks and dimishing property values. This is clearly evident in the proponents' decision to only lease the land from the landowners, rather than owning land and taking on all legal liability. The owner of the land is also left with the responsibility of dealing with the eventual removal of the turbines, as the shelf companies managing these projects are usually overseas and will leave the landholder carrying the responsibility. This is evidence within planning applications submitted to then planning panels, where the panel has listed the landholder as being responsible as a last resort in the decommissioning of the turbines. To find out more view page 185 of:
Waubra_Wind_Farm_Project_Planning.pdf
In Wind-Power’s case, it is their aim to ensure that the project is approved at a planning level, then seek a quick on-sell of project to quickly move onto to finding a new site. Secrecy in these developments are paramount as stated in the following document: Yarram_Wind_Farm_Proposal_Further_Reading. Click on secrecy clauses in contracts.
The Wonthaggi wind farm, as developed by Wind-Power Pty Ltd, has consistently under-performed its projected efficiency levels; where one out of six turbines (as current 17-07-2007) are out of action and whilst others look to be in disrepair. Toora’s wind farm is another poor performing wind farm with 5 out of 12 turbines not functioning and a capacity factor far below the claimed 33%.
It is therefore easy to understand why community sentiment toward the proponent is not held in high regard, as confirmed in the following extracts. as follows, which is shared not only by those affected from the Tuki Industrial Wind Farm proposal:
Leongatha Star Newspaper - Tuesday, 15 May 2007, p.g. 37
Source: “Leonagtha Star” newspaper, 15 May 2007, p.g. 37
Parliament of Victoria - Parliamentary Debates 11 November 2004
Source: Parliament of Victoria - Parliamentary Debates 11 November 2004
Parliament of Victoria - Parliamentary Debates 17 November 2004
Source: Parliament of Victoria - Parliamentary Debates 17 November 2004
28 AUG 2004
Extract: Just tilting at windmills
But Wind Power's concentration on Piper's Creek, to the south, is proving to be the most controversial. Opponents say the turbines, more than 100 metres tall, will sit on top of a 70-metre ridge, making them taller than Hanging Rock and visible from there. The company has been at the centre of some bitter battles in coastal South Gippsland, particularly with its Bald Hill farm, approved this week. The community there, which raised $150,000 to fight the proposal, was joined in its opposition by shadow planning spokesman Ted Baillieu, who in State Parliament described wind turbines as "towering triffids".
Wind Power and its managing director, Steve Buckle, have been known to have a cavalier attitude to critics. When asked about the community angst in the Macedon Ranges Shire, Mr Buckle suggested to The Age that perhaps the opponents were just "bored".
Source: Just tilting at windmills
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