MORE than 200 residents from Baringhup and surrounding towns attended a heated community forum about proposed wind turbines in the region last night.
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A nine-person panel chaired by local Scott Mitchell spoke for and against the wind proposal and the effect it may have on the community.
Panel members included Simon Holmes a Court, Dr Susie Burke and community members.
Under the wind farm proposal by Mount Alexander Community Wind (MAC Wind), between three and six community-owned turbines would be situated across Mount Alexander Shire.
Sixty residents across the shire have expressed interest in hosting a turbine on their property. Two of those are from the Baringhup area.
At last night’s meeting some Baringhup residents were concerned the proposed wind turbines would cause health problems.
Resident Colin Jennings said the proposed plan would do more harm than good. “It is too big of a risk,” he said.
Mr Jennings said he strongly believed that the wind farm was not in the best interest of the community and would “fight the proposal until the end”.
MAC Wind project coordinator Jarra Hicks, one of the panel members, said MAC Wind’s plan was to see the wind farm owned by the community.
She said MAC Wind would continue to talk to residents about the proposal.
