A FOUR-DAY Windfarms Tour by coach from Armidale to Canberra has been organised by the local community windfarm project, New England Wind.
According to project director Adam Blakester, there is nothing better than first-hand experience to see, hear and learn about the workings of modern windfarms.
“In the last few years there have been questions raised about wind power, such as negative noise and health impacts,” he said.
“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.
“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,” Mr Blakester said.
“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.
“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,” Mr Blakester said.
The four-day Windfarms Tour will be by coach and depart Armidale on 7 November. Three nights will be spent in Canberra with time for sight-seeing, social activities and interesting stopping points along the way before returning to home on 10 November.
The major tour sponsor is the NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage, together with sponsorship from The Earth Welfare Foundation, AGL Energy Limited 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 and bookings can be made by contacting tour co-ordinator Liz Gardiner on info@newenglandwind.coop or (02) 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 and Heritage.
