Hydro Tasmania plans Australia’s largest wind farm for King Island

The $2 billion Hydro Tasmania proposal will have 200 turbines, be able to power 250,000 Australian households and create 500 jobs during construction. Mayor Greg Barratt said the project would help save the struggling island community.

“It’s just what the island needs … it’s not a quick fix but it’s something to look forward to,” Cr Barratt told The Mercury.

Residents were told of the proposal at a public meeting last night.

Cr Barratt said he did not want to pre-empt the community’s views but believed most of the 200 people at the meeting supported the plan.

“Inevitably there are one or two dead against it because of health problems and visual pollution,” he said.

Hydro Tasmania said it would release full details of the wind farm proposal today.

Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings said she did not want to comment in any detail yet but there were opportunities to explore further development of wind energy on King Island.

“The Tasmanian Government and Hydro Tasmania have been working with the King Island community to explore opportunities to create jobs and opportunities on the island,” she said.

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/11/28/367117_most-popular-stories.html