Wattle Point Wind Farm, Yorke Peninsula
Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North (RDAYMN) commenced working with key companies pursuing the development of the Wind Farm in 2003-04.
RDAYMN assisted by working with the District Council of Yorke Peninsula, facilitating land use meetings with farms and indigenous groups, in addition to working with local businesses to support upskilling and diversification enabling local businesses to be contracted for much of the construction work and increased local employment.
Meridian Energy & Southern Hydro (development companies at the time) had planned to erect 61 turbines. The local Aboriginal community identified that three of the turbines would be on their land, and further, significant impact on a burial ground within the site was reported. There was no land that had not had Native Title extinguished, however local Aboriginal leaders were encouraged to identify areas of concern. RDAYMN worked with Aboriginal Heritage leaders, developers, the state government Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Department to seek a resolution for all parties. Through this process, local Aboriginal people were able be on site to detect any remains. If found, remains could be dealt with in a culturally appropriate manner and or other strategies could be negotiated as required. The Developer employed key Aboriginal representatives to undertake supervision of site excavations during construction. Recompense was also arranged for the local Aboriginal people. Areas of concern identified by Aboriginal people were taken into consideration by the developer in determining where turbines would be located.
The original number of turbines was reduced from 61 to 55 due to other community concerns regarding the wind farms development, mainly relating to noise and visual amenity (encroaching upon township). At the peak of construction, 160 people were on site working, including local contractors undertaking excavation of pits for the 55 turbines, trenching of 41 kilometres of underground cables, tuck shop, fencing, concrete batching plants, and subsidiary services.
The Wind Farm was launched by Premier Mike Rann in June 2005. The project cost was $165 million and produces 90MW from 55 turbines.
With a capacity of 90MW the Wind Farm produces enough clean electricity to power the equivalent needs of around 52000 homes each year, abating an estimated 330000 tonnes of greenhouse pollution annually.
RDAYMN assisted by working with the District Council of Yorke Peninsula, facilitating land use meetings with farms and indigenous groups, in addition to working with local businesses to support upskilling and diversification enabling local businesses to be contracted for much of the construction work and increased local employment.
Business Unit: Economic Development
