MEDIA RELEASE

3 July 2012

NEAR NEIGHBOURS SUPPORT NEW ENGLAND WIND FARM SITE

More than three dozen near neighbours have now expressed their support towards the most likely site for New England Wind, which spans three properties in the Herbert Park area to the north-east of Armidale. There is keen interest in the community wind farm concept, stated Richard Maclean, Chair of the Herbert Park Local Area Committee. A long-term view is critical in considering the merits of this idea, and of renewable energy more generally. And the overwhelming majority of neighbours are supportive of the proposed site, with various practical concerns identified needing to be worked through. Around 35 residents attended a Neighbourhood Forum which was held in Armidale on 23 April 2012, and some 25 more attended a general meeting on 24 June 2012. Genuine community support is essential for a successful community-owned wind farm, added Adam Blakester, Project Director of New England Wind. The openness of including neighbours in our site selection process is something that the New England Wind Consortium, and the landholders looking at hosting the wind farm, are very passionate about. We believe that a well informed decision-making process is key to the integrity of our proposal. Geoff Siems, one of the five landholders considering hosting the wind farm, spoke about the negativity associated with some wind farm developments 'down south' and hence his keen interest in the community-model which brings a more open process. It is my view, said Geoff Siems, that one key to success is ensuring that the benefits from the wind farm are shared more widely than to the turbine landlords alone. This wind farm concept can only proceed if it holds wide appeal throughout the Herbert Park area. With support from the near neighbourhood work is now proceeding to develop a landholder agreement for wind monitoring, which will also lay the foundation for an arrangement that shares more broadly the benefits of a community based wind farm. Specific concerns raised at the Neighbourhood Forum are also being addressed, including impacts on light aircraft for crop-dusting and working out the pathway for grid connection. With the wind farm moving ahead, our planned Study Tour to Capital Wind Farm in September becomes more significant, added Blakester. We are inviting all interested landholders, investors and community members to consider joining us in learning first-hand about the workings of a modern wind farm.

MEDIA CONTACT | ADAM BLAKESTER | PROJECT DIRECTOR

02 6775 2501 | 0419 808 900 adam@starfishenterprises.net www.newenglandwind.coop is an initiative of www.starfishenterprises.net

MEDIA RELEASE
3 July 2012 Copies of the meeting report and presentations from the Neighbourhood Forum can be found at www.scribd.com/newenglandwind. For more details about the Wind Farm Study Tour, or to make your booking, contact Liz Gardiner, Tour Coordinator on info@newenglandwind.coop or 6778-7249 or go to www.newenglandwind.coop. New England Wind aims to establish the first community-owned wind farm in NSW. It is an initiative of local community organisation Starfish Enterprises and led by a Consortium which includes Southern New England Landcare, Embark, Sustainable Living Armidale, The Community Mutual Group, Environmental Defenders' Office (Northern Rivers) and the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage.

MEDIA CONTACT | ADAM BLAKESTER | PROJECT DIRECTOR

02 6775 2501 | 0419 808 900 adam@starfishenterprises.net www.newenglandwind.coop is an initiative of www.starfishenterprises.net