Narrogin councillors to inspect Flat Rocks Wind Farm before considering adoption of local draft policy

Narrogin councillors will visit a Great Southern wind farm in March after deferring a motion to adopt a draft wind farm and turbine planning policy. Available councillors will visit Flat Rocks Wind Farm in the shires of Tambellup-Broomehill and Kojonup before reconsidering the draft policy at the March 27 council meeting. Shire president Leigh Ballard said the deferral would ensure well-informed decision-making. “By visiting the wind farm site, our elected members will have the opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the operational aspects, potential impacts and community considerations associated with wind energy facilities,” he said. “This visit will allow us to better understand the nuances of the situation and make more informed decisions regarding the proposed policy.” Mr Ballard said the excursion would help councillors determine if the proposed setbacks and distances were enough. “Specifically, we aim to gather information on the distance to noise-sensitive properties such as houses and setbacks to determine whether they should be greater than what is currently proposed in the policy,” Mr Ballard said. “It is crucial for us to thoroughly assess these aspects to address any concerns and ensure that the policy reflects the best interests of our community while promoting renewable industry as an acknowledged comparable advantage for our region.”