Claire Vanderplank,Raoul Abrutat and Jamie Ally from the Fremantle Wind Farm.
Camera IconClaire Vanderplank,Raoul Abrutat and Jamie Ally from the Fremantle Wind Farm. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Community group keeps up push for winds of change

Staff ReporterFremantle Gazette

Picture: Martin Kennealey www.communitypix.com.au d407727

Fremantle Community Wind Farm supporters are pushing for a community-owned wind farm, but while ideas and plans are being implemented, the group has yet to secure the land from the Fremantle Port Authority.

Mr Ally said the supporters recently launched a major community action campaign at Clancy’s Fish Pub, with more than 100 people filling the venue to support the project.

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‘Fremantle Ports opposes this project because they are concerned about community backlash but this campaign showed strong community support,’ he said.

‘The reason we are running the campaign is to raise funds so we can demonstrate to the Port Authority and the government that the Fremantle community wants this project to happen, but it cannot proceed any further without land access.’

Mr Ally said a wind farm had many benefits for Fremantle, including reinforcing its identity as a progressive, forward-thinking community and providing people with an opportunity to see and experience wind energy generation first-hand.

Fremantle Ports external affairs coordinator Jeanette Murray said the port did not see the area as suitable for a wind farm.

‘Fremantle Ports has looked closely at whether Rous Head would be suitable for a wind farm, including commissioning an independent report into the likely risks and issues with regard to economic, technical, social and environmental factors,’ she said.

‘After careful consideration of all the issues, the Fremantle Ports Board has determined that it is not in the best interests of Fremantle Ports to support a wind farm development within the port.’