Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Water
Community feedback wanted for wind farm at Dutson Downs by 5 March 2023
Gippsland Water is asking local residents and customers to help it decide whether land it manages at Dutson Downs should be made available to build or host a wind farm.
Managing Director Sarah Cumming said the idea was being explored as a way to meet the organisation's commitment to moving to 100% renewable energy by 2025. "There's been a great deal of interest in wind farms in our community recently," Ms Cumming said.
Have your say on wind farm at Dutson Downs, community feedback is on 5 March 2023
Reducing our emissions
Ms Cumming said, "Treating and distributing water and wastewater takes a huge amount of energy. Establishing a wind farm could help reduce our emissions in an affordable way that benefits our customers while boosting the local economy."
Ms Cumming said the views of those from the surrounding area including Golden Beach, Paradise Beach, Dutson, Seacombe and Loch Sport will be particularly important in the decision. "No decisions have been made because we want to hear from the local residents and our customers first."
Wind farm benefits
Consultation is underway with the local community and Gippsland Water customers. Benefits of a wind farm at Dutson Downs could include:
- Potential to boost the local economy, providing more jobs for residents in construction and ongoing maintenance
- Contribution to the infrastructure needed to move Gippsland Water towards 100% renewable energy by 2025
- Affordable way to reduce Gippsland Water's greenhouse gas emissions, potentially reducing operating costs and putting downward pressure on customer bills
For more information and to have your say visit Dutson Downs wind farm survey page by Sunday 5 March.
About Dutson Downs
Gippsland Water manages a large property spanning 8,250 hectares at Dutson Downs, south east of Sale. Its Dutson Downs operations include Gippsland Regional Organics, our EPA licenced waste treatment and compost facility, which takes up about 350 hectares.
It also uses the site to treat waste, including wastewater biosolids and green waste, and recycle it into Australian-certified compost. Gippsland Water also uses the property for agriculture, with Gippsland Regional Agribusiness managing cattle and crops on parts of the property.
The rest of the property is mostly bushland with some large-scale carbon offset plantings. Gippsland Regional Organics and Agribusiness will continue to operate at the site, regardless of whether or not a wind farm is established there.
Pictures from Google maps.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Melina Bath highlights increasing demand for financial counsellors as cost of living pressures worsen for Gippslanders
Russell Broadbent presents petition against 'Mis and Disinformation Bill: A Threat to Free Speech and Australian Democracy'
Southern Rural Water to auction 2,897 megalitres of seasonal allocation in Macalister Irrigation District
Baw Baw Shire Councillors elect Danny Goss as Mayor and Tricia Jones as Deputy Mayor for the first term
Future energy mix: Gippslanders support nuclear power alongside renewables for reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy
Melina Bath criticises Labor over poor digital connectivity in Fish Creek, urging action for emergency services
Tim Bull criticised CFA office closures in Bairnsdale, warning of increased fire risks and operational challenges
Chester calls for support for Wildcats at Gippsland's all abilities basketball tournament International Day of Disability
Wellington Shire Council elects Scott Rossetti as Mayor and Cindy Madeley as Deputy Mayor for the upcoming term
