Yorke Peninsula Farm Project revised plans include 170 220m-tall turbines west of Black Point

In a plan that looks likely to win approval, 170 turbines at a height of 220m will be built on the Yorke Peninsula. Locals are worried that farmland will become an industrial landscape.

Wind energy company Senvion plans to build 170 wind turbines 220m tall on the Yorke Peninsula. File picture: Andy Rogers

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YORKE Peninsula residents will look out upon much larger turbines, if revised plans for a $1.6 billion wind farm is approved.

German company Senvion, which is behind the Ceres Project on the Yorke Peninsula, on Thursday addressed the State Commission Assessment Panel about its bid to increase the turbines’ height from 163m to 220m.

It would build 170 turbines west of Black Point, between Ardrossan and Minlaton, instead of the previously approved 187.

The decision on whether to approve the project lies with Planning Minister Stephan Knoll, but a report to the panel recommended it get the green light.

Black Point, on the Yorke Peninsula. A wind farm is proposed for land west of the beach. Picture: Calum Robertson

Addressing members via phone conference, Paul Hayles from Curramulka, about 40km south of Maitland, said he was concerned about the development’s impact on the value of his sheep and cropping property.

He was also worried about a reduction in water supply and potential increase in fire risk if the turbines stood in the way of CFS water-bombers.

They might also obstruct aerial spraying, Mr Hayles said, and he worried about the wedge-tailed eagles that regularly flew over the area.

“The odds are against them and the odds are against me being able to see them in future,” Mr Hayles said.

“I’m 42, just below the average age of farmers, but my daughter who is seven years old will certainly be interested to farm in some capacity in the future.

“But what will my farm be worth when the view is gone?” If the latest plans are approved, the wind farm would cover about 18,000ha of farm land.

During consultation, other residents raised concerns about the turbines’ appearance, and impacts on tourism and the environment.

David Hutchison, speaking for the Yorke Peninsula Council, said the district was worried about the impact of larger wind turbines, coupled with Rex Minerals’ mine operations south of Ardrossan.

“The road that leads to the main tourism destinations at the bottom of the peninsula will become an industrial landscape,” Mr Hutchison said. The project, first approved in 2014, is expected to generate about 500 construction jobs.

Speaking for the developer, Simon Channon said the turbines would actually impact fewer birds than the previous proposal and would have “negligible” impact on primary production.

Mr Channon said the development might actually help fire fighting work because of new access roads.

Turbines could also be switched off at times to allow aerial spraying.

Their appearance was “both reasonable and expected” for the area, he said.

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