The council is moving towards choosing the corner of Glen Innes race-course near the Gwydir Highway as the site for the discarded wind farm blade which was initially heading towards Veness Park in town.
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At the council meeting on Thursday, the recommendation is “that Council proposes to locate the placement of the wind turbine blade on the corner of Dumaresq Street and the Gwydir Highway on land currently under the management of the Glen Innes Jockey Club”.
The seven councillors will decide between that site and the car-park at the back of the Visitors Centre but the advice from officers and the Open Spaces Committee is that this latter position would be too congested.
As the report to the council puts it: “It was felt visitors would have to stand a reasonable distance away from the blade for photos etc. placing them in the vicinity of the McDonalds car park or Woolworths Service Station, as well as creating problems from the increased pedestrian activity in the car park.”
When the possibility of having the 18 tonne blade and placing it horizontally on three plinths was first mooted, the cost was put at $30,000 to $40,000.
That’s now risen: “The full cost of developing a site other than Veness Park has not been fully costed at this stage, however, will exceed the estimated $40,000.”
In favour of the race-course, the report cites its position on the way to the actual wind farms; room to stand back and admire it; the area is industrial so the blade would fit in.
“It is seen as an opportunity to add to the improvements to the western entry of town.”
But the council accepts that the blade also needs to be shielded from public view: “The installation is considered to have an impact on the aesthetic significance of the open area wherever it is placed, and consideration has to be given to nearby residents.
“Significant existing trees and recently planted trees will mitigate the visual impact, especially at the Racecourse site.”
The blade was rescued for Glen Innes by contractor Jay Weir who persuaded the wind farm to donate it. It’s currently in his yard on the road to Inverell. He hasn’t been charging for storage. His yard is very near the race-course so moving it would be relatively easy.
Veness park was the favoured site because it was near the centre of town. But legal objections were raised by a local resident, Nola Taylor.
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