Wind Farm Tour Announced

Local community windfarm project, New England Wind, announced a 4-day Windfarms Tour by coach from Armidale to Canberra.

“There is nothing better than first hand experience to see, hear and learn about the workingsof modern windfarms,” according to Project Director, Adam Blakester.

“In the last few yearsthere have been questions raised about wind power, such as negative noise and health impacts. This Tour will provide an opportunity to sort out the facts from the myths.”

“The Windfarms Tour will include both Woodlawn and Capital windfarms, as well as visiting two private landholders who are hosting wind turbines on their properties,” added Blakester.

“The whole Tour will have a strong educational focus about the benefits of wind power and issues such as visual impacts, implications for farming operations and noise. There will also be optional meetings with industry stakeholders to delve into more technical details.”

The New England High Country has several approved windfarms awaiting construction and several more in planning, including New England Wind’s project to develop the first community-owned windfarm in NSW. The region is an identified Renewable Energy Precinct due to its high quality wind resources.

“HepburnWind, Australia’s first fully operational community-owned wind farm, found that windfarm tours like this were key to building community understanding and support,” said Blakester. “We strongly encourage community leaders, decision-makers, landholders, prospective investors and other interested community members to come along and build their first-hand knowledge about modern windfarms and wind power.”

The 4-day Windfarms Tour will be by coach and depart Armidale on 7 November 2013. There will be three nights in Canberra with time for sightseeing, social activities and interesting stopping points along the way. The coach will return to Armidale on 10 November.

The major sponsor of the Tour is the NSW Government Office of Environment & Heritage, together with sponsorship from The Earth Welfare Foundation, AGL Energy Limited ~ Australia’s largest private owner and operator of renewable energy assets ~ and New England Mutual.

Places on the coach are limited and interested parties are encouraged to book quickly. More details can be found online at www.newenglandwind.coop. Bookings can be made by contacting Liz Gardiner, Tour Coordinator on info@newenglandwind.coop or 6778-7249.

New England Wind is an initiative of Starfish Enterprises and led by a Consortium which includes Southern New England Landcare, Embark Australia, Sustainable Living Armidale and the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage.