Wind industry hearing delayed

Yarram Standard News
Wednesday 21/3/2007 Page: 11

SYNERGY Wind has been granted extra time to prepare its submission for the proposed wind farm project at Devon North. The windfarm hearing was to commence next Wednesday, March 28 at the Wellington Shire Council in Sale.

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) wrote to the residents of Devon North requesting a delay in the proceedings, after Synergy Wind advised them that it had new evidence to present. Public relations officer with the shire, Gaye Davies advised the Yarram Standard News the date for the new hearing has not yet been finalised.

Opponent to the Devon North Windfarm project, Peter Stone said they were advised a fortnight ago the hearing was to be postponed after they received a letter from VCAT stating Synergy Wind Pty Ltd, the company undertaking to establish a wind farm at Devon North, was seeking an adjournment on the grounds they had new planning proposals and needed time to prepare and present these.

Our barristers advised us to allow this adjournment, but it has caused everyone involved with this hearing great inconvenience," Mr Stone said. "One of our group members is an ambulance officer and he had to take annual leave to attend the hearing. I was planning an overseas trip but this is now in limbo as we wait on a new date to be set for the hearing," he said.

A directional meeting is planned for March 30 at which time a new date for the hearing will be recommended.