Victoria

Location: Cape Bridgewater Coast, West of Portland

Threat: Inappropriate development through siting of Wind Farms

Wind farms are a series of giant white ‘turbines’ up to 100 m tall (about 30 storeys!), which stride across the landscape. While they are a great source of renewable energy, they are visually intrusive when placed in a landscape with high scenic values.

The wild rugged coastlines of Victoria have some of the highest, most consistent wind profiles in Australia, and are ideal for wind generation, but they are also some of the most cherished of Victorian landscapes. A number of wind farms are being proposed in Victoria, the most contentious being those at Cape Bridgewater. The National Trust has opposed the bulk of this proposal, since it includes turbines dotted all over this pristine coastline, some of them located only metres from the spectacular cliff edges.

Although wind farms cannot be located within National Parks, they are so large they can be seen for many kilometers. Unless sensitively and carefully sited they could spoil the vistas of some treasured places. The lack of clear consistent siting policies raises the spectre of clusters of giant turbines being highly visible even from places like the Great Ocean Road or Wilson’s Promontory.

The National Trust is a strong supporter of alternative energy generation and is not opposed to wind farms. The Trust does believe however that wind farms should be sited appropriately. It is imperative that the government work with all stakeholders to devise siting protocols which protect magnificent landscapes such as those now threatened at Cape Bridgewater.