By JONATHON HOWARD
A PETITION against the proposed Dalveen Rabbit Ridge Wind Farm near Stanthorpe has attracted more than 200 signatures and raised several health concerns.
The petition requested that Southern Downs councillors not make any decisions on the application, lodged last month, until an independent acoustics assessment can be carried out.
As well as sound concerns, the letter cited areas of concerns including, potential unknown health impact on residents; land devaluation; environmental impact on birds and other wildlife in the area; damage to landscape character; fire risks; economic damage to the tourism sector; economic impacts in the form of higher electricity costs; and damage to country roads and farming communities.
The letter, signed by Dino and Desley Maritan, said the signatures were collected during a 10-day period.
The report was raised during the Southern Downs Regional Council’s monthly general meeting on Wednesday 31 July.
“The ratepayers of Stanthorpe and surrounding districts respectfully request that the council consider that we do not want 150-metre high wind turbines proposed at Dalveen less than 5km from any of our homes, school or businesses,” the submission letter read.
Those petitioners are now calling for an independent acoustics expert not recommended by the developer.
The Rabbit Ridge Wind Farm was proposed as an alternative power generation source for Stanthorpe which requires greater power security, according to Ergon Energy.
While Ergon have proposed the use of a secondary line, the wind farm suggested the use of renewable energies as an innovative alternative.
The matter was expected to be passed on to the council’s planning and environment director for further investigation.
