ActewAGL Proposal
In March 2006 a consortium of companies were engaged in a plan (now abandoned) to install industrial wind turbines at Spring Range. The consortium included Energy Utility, ActewWAGL, Development Company, JG Services, and a number of Japanese based partners.
As of March 2006 no formal wind plant proposal had been tabled by ActewAGL or its partners. However, in press reports spokesmen had stated the plan would involve 15 turbines for a total plant capacity of 30 megawatts. The spokesmen had also stated that the turbines were intended for the ridgeline of the Range.
A map showing the areas affected at five, ten, and fifteen kilometres radius can be selected here or from the menu opposite.
Spring Range Comment
The sparsity of information on the proposal by ActewAGL and its partners was in contrast with the requirement for consultation with affected communities and also at odds with the company's advertised image of being community focused. In July 2005 the company stated in its annual report that wind turbines were planned for the Range. By that date the best information available shows that a number of landholders had been signed to host turbines without general community knowledge. The contracts themselves remain confidential.
ActewAGL stated in media interviews that affected residents had been notified of their plans. And indeed some residents report having sighted a mail circular. Others are still inspecting their mailbox for evidence of the company's community consultation skills.
It is clear ActewAGL strategy was to fully develop a proposal before offering it to Spring Range home owners in a "take it or leave it" form and then "manage" community opposition. In short, the process was bound to provoke opposition and cause conflictIn 2005 ActewAGL made $97 Million selling a product which released 146000 tonnes of greenhouse gas. By placing wind turbines on Spring Range the company would avoid charges of $40 per megawatt were it to fall short of the Government's Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets (MRE).
It would be facile to argue that the company alone is responsible for its green house emission tonnage. All ACT home owners and businesses, used the energy. However, ActewAGL did pocket the profits, and if social and financial costs are placed on society by ActewAGL's business operations then it would be ethical for the company to contribute its own resources to minimising the problem and to make every attempt to distribute the burden equitably. Placing undue penalties on the shoulders of Spring Range home owners was a cheap, quick, and unimaginative option. A company which is truly "community focussed" might look harder for alternatives.
Spring Range welcomes and will seek to support any proposal which offers a sincere and genuine strategy to reduce greenhouse emissions. The obvious profit motive and surreptitious approach to date at Spring Range gives good cause to suspect that concern for the planet or society was not at the heart of ActewAGL efforts.
Spring Range view is that a better process is possible. Our responsibility is to contribute towards finding it.
Footnote:
By May 2007 ActewAGL, JG Service, and partners had withdrawn plans to use Spring Range for industrial wind energy generation. Spring Range residents view this as vindication of their position that industrial wind energy projects should be appropriately sited and that community consultation should be at the foundation of any project
Spring Range Residents would welcome proposals from ActewAGL or others prepared to engage in genuine consultation to jointly develop the solar energy potential of the area.