Letters to the Editor – March 30

March 30 2018 - 2:00pm
Letters to the Editor – March 30
Letters to the Editor – March 30

Wind farm opposition

I am writing to express my alarm at the ‘industrial-scale eyesore’ being created by the Salt Creek Wind Farm Transmission Towers in Terang and district. At community meeting in Noorat on March 21 attended by over 150 people, Clayton Delmarter from Tilt Renewable and Brett Wickham from Acciona completely failed to address the community issues raised. These concerns are as follows: Total disrespect for the communities and landscape with industrial scale power transmission lines running 50.5 km overground from the source. Many of the host landholders are now as dismayed and disillusioned about Tilt’s construction of huge 22-metre high ugly transmission towers as are the rest of the community. These galvanised steel transmission towers destroy the visual amenity and are out of proportion and unsympathetic to the volcanic plains. Tilt Renewable’s Mr Delmarter spoke of discussions with AusNet about “optimising” the tower construction - this equates to ‘maximising profit’ at the expense of the landscape and the community. Overground is a much cheaper option than underground. It is also a known fire hazard. We request these transmission towers are forced by Government regulation to go underground as recommended by the Black Saturday Royal Commission. The gas transmission line is underground for 70km from Port Campbell to Mortlake as is Wannon Water, another major utility. It is time these companies are controlled and answerable to communities. There must be a swift introduction of Government regulation enforcing the need to co-ordinate and share infrastructure. There must be a planned, co-ordinated approach to the multiple windfarm development and underground transmission lines. Our Western District landscape is at stake.

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