Go ahead for New South Wales 50 MW wind farm

The A$96 million 50 MW Woodlawn wind farm near Goulbourn in New South Wales (NSW) has been given the go ahead by the state's premier Morris Iemma, albeit with 76 stringent consent conditions attached. "The planning minister has imposed strict consent conditions including measures to control its visual and noise impacts," says Iemma. "This project is an important investment in New South Wales' energy future. However, both the environment and the amenity of local residents must be protected." The project is being developed by a joint venture company, consisting of EHN Oceania, a subsidiary of Spain's Acciona, Collex, a waste management firm owned by France's Veolia, banker ANZ Infrastructure Services and local energy retailer Actew AGL. It will consist of 25, 2 MW wind turbines and construction is expected to start next year.