Synergy defends consultation record as Nationals WA prod Scott River wind farm angst

[Author 0]

Synergy defends consultation record as Nationals WA prod Scott River wind farm angst

Synergy defends consultation record as Nationals WA prod Scott River wind farm angst

The WA Nationals have voiced concerns about a proposed Synergy wind farm in the Scott River area after a meeting among Augusta residents last week.

More than 50 residents turned out at the forum to share what Warren-Blackwood candidate Bevan Eatts said were “frustrations” about the project.

Mr Eatts alleged “secrecy and lack of transparency” during Synergy’s public consultation which was now “divisive in the community”.

“Landowners have been pressured into signing confidentiality agreements that prevent them from sharing details about the project or raising concerns,” he said.

“One resident even described feeling ‘hoodwinked and deceived’ by Synergy, having been pressured into signing agreements without fully understanding the impacts.”

The Manjimup-based candidate said residents also feared the project was getting bigger, with up to 30 turbines now proposed.

Opposition Leader Shane Love said it was unacceptable some residents were only learning of the project now, and called Synergy’s consultation “woefully inadequate”.

He said the State Government was “setting a very poor example” for future renewables projects.

But State Energy Minister Reece Whitby said the Nationals’ position was at odds with their Opposition partners — the Liberal Party — who preferred the Scott River proposal to the offshore windfarm, all attracting public debate.

“They can’t agree in opposition, and there’s no reason to think they could agree on how to run the State’s energy systems if they were in government,” Mr Whitby said.

“As is the case with every major development, community engagement will be a necessary part of assessing this project’s feasibility.

“Synergy is still investigating the project and has not determined whether it is viable, nor has it obtained development approvals.”

Scott River farmer Scott Baxter had previously raised serious concerns with the project, the consequences for agriculture and local producers.

“Synergy has refused to provide critical information on the noise, disturbance, and potential impact on land values, leaving us unable to make informed decisions about our businesses and lifestyle,” Mr Baxter said.

Mr Whitby stood by the utility’s “thorough and transparent community consultation”.

A Synergy spokesperson said its consultation started with direct contact with individual property owners in 2022 and the project, feeding into the Beenup substation, remained one of several areas for a potential wind farm.

Since then, more than 100 meetings were held, including five drop-in sessions and a survey.

“As we gather information and undertake community consultation, we will continue to refine the proposed project,” the spokesperson said.

“To enable more comprehensive data to be gathered, Synergy is also extending the feasibility study period.”

The Times understands more information from the feasibility study would come online next year.

Source link

#Synergy #defends #consultation #record #Nationals #prod #Scott #River #wind #farm #angst

Pelican News

Source Link