Some of the turbines on the Walwa wind farm looking south from the Gurrundah Road Photo Crookwell Gazette
UPPER LACHLAN and Goulburn Mulwaree Councils will both of representatives on a proposed committee to administer community enhancement funds from Goldwind, operator of the “Walwa” wind farm.
Both Councils will be involved because the 10 kilometre radius from the site will take in land in their areas.
The bulk of the area will, however, be in Upper Lachlan, and because of this it will hold and administer the fund.
Goldwind proposes that the committee to decide on projects would be headed by the Upper Lachlan Mayor, with representatives from Upper Lachlan Goulburn Mulwaree (one each), and four community representatives.
The community representatives will have “demonstrated skills and experience relating to the terms of reference.”
If possible, two of these representatives should live within the target community and none should be owners of property that host turbines.
The actual amount to be contributed by Goldwind for community enhancement has not been announced.
The proposed agreement would give Upper Lachlan the right to send back to the committee for further discussion any proposal that it disagreed with.
At last Council meeting, Cr. Mick Mayoh commented that a requirement that only people in the 10 kilometre radius would benefit was “ridiculous.”
“We could be putting in a bitumen road for two people,” he said.
Planning Director Tina Dobson said that the Enhancement Agreement would be put on public exhibition for submissions.
Cr. James Wheelwright offered the view that Council should have the major say.
And it was also felt that Council would merit some compensation for the cost of supplying the administrative and practical implementation of the fund.