Community invited to have their say on wind farm at Dutson Downs

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.

“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.”

Consultation is underway with the local community and Gippsland Water customers.

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,” Ms Cumming said.

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.
• A contribution to the infrastructure needed to move Gippsland Water towards 100% renewable energy by 2025.
• An 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 www.gippswater.com.au/windfarm-survey 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.

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