Residents within North West Renewable Energy Zone concerned about potential developments

Those living in an area earmarked for potential renewable energy projects say they would move if development occurred.

Barrie and Jessica Cole with their children Asher, 9 and Elaina, 7, alongside Tracie Davies. Picture: Simon McGuire.

Residents within the state government’s proposed North West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) say they are mortified that colossal wind turbines could be in their backyards and surrounding areas.

The area will be the first of its kind in Tasmania and is aimed at generating renewable energy projects within the zone’s boundaries.

The Liberals announced the proposed REZ during the recent state election.

If the legislation passes parliament, it will cover more than 114,000ha of land south of Burnie.

Tracie Davies lives at South Riana and is surrounded by agricultural land mainly used for dairy farming.

Barrie and Jessica Cole with their children Asher, 9 and Elaina, 7, alongside Tracie Davies. Picture: Simon McGuire.

She is concerned about the possibility of large-scale projects being built on her doorstep.

“Would you like a 200m turbine, times many, in your backyard? I think it’s actually a pretty normal reaction,” Ms Davies said.

“Your home is where you escape to have some peace, and it’s your little sanctuary. Just one turbine would ruin it because of the noise and the look of it.

“It would really change this peaceful agriculture, beauty and tourism into an industrial place where people can’t live happily.”

Ms Davies said she had contacted the government but had no luck getting any other information.

“They say they’ve been consulting with us for two years, and I and other members are in shock and horror about this proposal and have not heard anything about it.

“I don’t know who they are consulting; maybe it’s just a few people that want them – I don’t know.”

Minister Nick Duigan. Parliament Question Time Picture: Chris Kidd

Upper Natone resident Alice Gynko lives several hundred metres from the proposed REZ boundary.

“Within the first few hours of discovering it with my family, we thought, if this comes to our neighbourhood, we would sell our place and go somewhere else,” Ms Gynko said.

“The biggest issue for me is the sound that these wind turbines make. Imagine that kind of sound playing constantly day after day, night after night.

“That would be very difficult to live with.”

In response, Energy and Renewables Minister Nick Duigan said the government would listen to those within the North West REZ.

“The purpose of the REZ is to ensure new renewable generation is built in the right place, for the least cost, and ensuring benefits flow back to the communities that host renewable energy infrastructure.

An aerial view shows a new wind turbine being erected by the company SL Naturenergie in the existing wind farm near Hagen, western Germany on March, 5, 2024. Picture: AFP

“We have been undertaking extensive community and stakeholder consultation for over 18 months now, and we will continue to engage with local residents to ensure they have the opportunity to have their say.

“Interested residents are encouraged to engage with the consultation process to find out more about what it could mean for the region and provide their feedback.

“This is the first of many proposed REZs for the state and we will be undertaking proper and genuine engagement with all communities that are located within the REZ.”

Originally published as Residents within North West Renewable Energy Zone concerned about potential developments