On Friday July 13, 2012 I held a meeting at the Crookwell Hotel to discuss the upcoming roadworks associated with the Crookwell 2 wind farm project, and to discuss the Crookwell wind farm projects in general.
Some of the attendees were locals with genuine concerns and a need for more information – some may have had other agendas. I gave clear, concise answers to questions, but some would not listen to my answers.
Even people asking questions were impolitely interrupted by other questioners. I made fair ground rules for our meeting, which were toooften ignored.
Too many did not complete the ‘record of contact’ that I circulated to all, and documentation of our community engagement process is an important requirement under the new draft guidelines for wind farm planning in New South Wales.
Some attendees repeatedly ignored rules about behavior. Union Fenosa is committed to working with the Crookwell community through consultation about the Crookwell wind farms.
We want to speak to everyone with an interest in the projects – the residents in the immediate vicinity, local businesses, and the 77 per cent of locals that support wind energy. The organised anti-wind lobby too – but as long they don’t forget their manners.
The Friday meeting was unproductive, and thus future meetings will return to the intended format: a one-toone discussion where all questions can be noted, and an effective, detailed answer can be prepared by Union Fenosa.
We’ll be at the Crookwell Hotel next on 8 August between 3pm and 5pm.
Tom Mitchell, Union Fenosa Wind Australia