The opinion poll data also shows that two-thirds of respondents believe that the right of farmers to generate income from wind farm development outweighs the community’s right to a view free of wind turbines.
The poll was conducted by independent research company QDOS for the Clean Energy Council. One quarter of those polled were from city areas, while the other 75 per cent lived in regional communities around wind farms.
“The majority of people surveyed agreed that wind farms bring income to farmers and local businesses, and that governments shouldn’t get in the way of this,” said Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh.
“Three-quarters of those surveyed believed farmers were doing it tough, and wind farms could provide them with a vital source of income.”
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In other Australian wind energy news, Infigen Energy has received approval to develop its proposed Woakwine Wind Farm in southeast South Australia.
The Woakwine Wind Farm will comprise 124 turbines, and will continue along the same ridgeline as Infigen’s Lake Bonney Wind Farm.
The project was assessed by three independent development assessment panels representing Wattle Range, Robe and Kingston District Councils.
A significant number of alterations were made to the project to account for environmental constraints and to address concerns highlighted through the community consultation process, including the removal of wind turbines in the vicinity of Cape Jaffa, the Mt Hope ridgeline, the Rendelsham community and individual properties.
“Using the on-site wind monitoring equipment and our experience at Lake Bonney, we were able to design a layout that is strategically positioned to harness the stronger wind resource, while still maintaining sensitivity to the environmental constraints of the site,” said Infigen Development Manager Frank Boland.
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