June 24, 2013

“Cooper Gap Wind Power Supporters” – a group formed to lobby in favour of AGL’s proposed wind farm at Coopers Gap – has taken exception to claims the wind farm project has divided the local community.

The group, which says it has 441 members including turbine hosts, said the people who are opposed to the project do not have “the full and true facts”.

“If there is a division, it has been created by the anti-wind farm activists with their bullying, intimidation, abusive phone calls and threats of legal action against turbine hosts and other members of the community,” a statement released today by the group to southburnett.com.au said.

“People against the project have not got the full and true facts.

“There have been numerous claims, from hen eggs with no yolks, cattle aborting, human health problems, dog and other animals affected and other silly claims.

“Not one of these claims can be substantiated.

“Wind farms have been around for decades and there have been 17 health studies done worldwide, and not one has found any health problems.

“Whether or not the environment protection noise policy would be used is only a guess at present, but when the State Government sets noise and other guidelines for wind farms (at present there are none), AGL, if required, will do further sound and other tests to satisfy government requirements, and if it can be proven they can satisfy all government requirements then the project will be approved.

“Bryan Lyons, Cooranga North Concerned Citizens spokesman, stated last week that the Coopers Gap Community Consultative Committee (CCC) meetings are ‘just pro wind farm propaganda’.

“How could he be qualified to make such a statement as he has not attended a meeting for nearly 12 months? These CCC meetings have been very interesting and informative.

“There have been professors and other professional people speaking on subjects such as noise (three times), health, shadow flicker, fire, flora and fauna and other important issues involved with this project.

“As recently as last week, Robert Dupont, (from) Preston Rowe Paterson, a respected land valuing company, gave a presentation on land values.

“AGL contacted 10 adjoining landholders and invited them to attend. It was their loss that not one attended. Perhaps they and others opposed do not want to hear the truth from qualified speakers.

“Members from the Cooranga North Concerned Citizens were personally invited on an all-expenses paid, fact-finding trip to the Hallet wind farm in South Australia. Not one attended to find out the true facts, and also the economic benefits to the surrounding community, from an operating wind farm.

“This was a very beneficial trip and allayed any doubts that anyone may have had regarding wind farm projects.

“It is past time that the anti-wind power side came up with proven scientific facts to back up their claims, instead of ‘just lip service’.”

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