Boorowa Council has said they do not feel any “pressure to remain silent nor are they being enticed” in regards to wind farm developments in the Boorowa Local Government Area as implied by the Boorowa District Landscape Guardians in their recent media release about the Rugby Wind Farm project, general manager Therese Manns said.
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Ms Manns said it cannot be reiterated enough that Local Government is not the planning authority for development of wind farms and thus has no control over the requirements for this type of development.
“Council understands that wind farm developments have created some division amongst the community which is unfortunate. Council is simply not the decision maker in regards to this development. Any argument for or against the project should be made through the State Government,” Ms Manns said.
Mayor Wendy Tuckerman stated: “Council has and will continue to actively engage in communication with both the State Government and the wind farm proponents to ensure that there is minimal impact on our community’s infrastructure and Council operations”.
“Council has and will continue to listen to concerns of nearby residents and relay their concerns to the proponents of the wind farm. Council has listened to and will continue to listen to potential host landholders. Council has and will continue to listen to any community member,” Cr Tuckerman said.
“Council has representation on the Rugby Wind Farm consultative committee and will have membership on consultative committees of future wind farm developments.
“Whilst the Rugby Wind Farm and those that follow will no doubt continue to cause some upset in the community, it is vital that as a community we don’t stick our heads in the sand about the likelihood of wind farm development in our Local Government Area.
“Those with concerns about their individual circumstances should discuss these concerns with the proponents and the State Government with a view to mitigating the potential impact on their property.
“In addition to individual landholders ability to diversify their income base, this type of development will also create business opportunities and employment, I would therefore encourage businesses and education providers to also engage with the proponents about these prospects.
“In regards to any community enhancement funding, it is believed this type of funding would be managed by a consultative committee and not Council.
“From a Council perspective, it is expected that wind farm developments in the area will make developer contributions to Council as would any other development in the Local Government Area. These developer contributions fund community infrastructure, including transport infrastructure and community facilities along with renewal of existing infrastructure for the benefit of the community.”
