MYPONGA – The State Government has contradicted claims that construction will begin on the Myponga/Sellicks Hill wind farm by early next year.

A report in last weekend’s Sunday Mail (23/08/2009) quoted Rodney Ahern from TrustPower, the New Zealand-based developers proposing the wind farm, as saying construction would start in early 2010 and be completed by the end of the year.

However, the Member for Finniss Michael Pengilly and the State Government claim the project is still dependent on approval.

“These claims are erroneous as modifications to the original planning proposal have not been approved by the Rann Government,” Mr Pengilly said.

Original plans to construct 20 wind turbines at the site were approved in 2003, but significant changes to the project have not yet been given the green light.

While TrustPower has reduced the number of turbines to 16, the newly proposed turbines are more powerful and physically larger.

In August last year the District Council of Yankalilla recommended that the project not go ahead, claiming the plans have varied significantly since the wind farm was first approved.

Mr Pengilly urged the government to consider a re-think on the proposed site at Myponga and Sellicks Hill.

“Wind power is a terrific form of energy…however, there are many unanswered questions over the location and its possible effects on the health of nearby residents,” he said.

“It would be far better to place the wind farm on the southern Fleurieu coast away from heavily populated areas to greatly alleviate possible future problems when the Aldina/Sellicks area is being opened up for substantial residential development.”

Myponga resident Simon Rothwell claims a turbine will be built 800 metres from his home, despite overseas research recommending they be 1.5 kilometres away from residential areas.

“It’s not that I don’t approve of wind farms, but there’s appropriate places and not appropriate places and I don’t think this is the right place for it,” he said.

Mr Rothwell wants the government to enforce guidelines that recommend the wind farm be subjected to noise and driver distraction restrictions.

A spokesperson for the Premier said the government is currently considering the changes and that an announcement is expected soon.