Synergy wind farm consultation hits snag at Margaret River Farmer’s Market

A Scott River farmer has called out the community group behind a proposed wind farm following a fracas during a weekend public consultation session.

Scott Baxter said he refused to leave a Synergy-brokered session at the Margaret River Farmer’s Market when asked on Saturday because the group backing the proposal – that also helped start the project – needed to answer farmers’ concerns.

Mr Baxter said he attended all the Synergy-held sessions across the region to convey his message that more questions needed to be asked about the project, which he said has spiralled from the modest local power solution proposed by Augusta-Margaret River Clean Community Energy more than six years ago.

“The farmer’s market said the markets were about the farmers and produce, not about political issues,” he said.

“I explained to both groups (Synergy and AMRCCE) and the farmer’s market that there is no farmer’s market without farmers, and Synergy’s wind farm project and the AMRCCE agenda is directly affecting farmers’ long-term future at the Scott River with that industrial wind proposal.”

Mr Baxter said the initial scope of the project could now include up to 30 wind turbines, taking what he understood to be a vision for a 10Mw site to more than 200Mw.

“It’s a big jump in numbers and it’s turned into a mega-project to pump back on the grid to Perth,” he told the Times.

When AMRCCE formed, led by members including former councillor Lyn Serventy and the late Ian Williams, husband of deputy shire president Paula Cristoffanini, they undertook feasibility studies of a hybrid renewable energy project to help support the region’s resilience.

AMRCCE spokesperson Jessica Worrall said her group packed up at the weekend when it was obvious Mr Baxter would continue his protest despite “repeated requests”.

“It’s important for us, as we rely on these events to promote the work of our group, dedicated to reducing emissions,” Mrs Worrall said.

“Regarding the size of the proposed Scott River wind farm, our core mission remains focused on promoting clean energy solutions that benefit our community.

“While the proposed project may have expanded in scope, AMRCCE started investigating the feasibility of a potential wind farm in the South West six years ago and we are excited to see this work continue.”

Market co-ordinator Jessie Kilgallon said she acknowledged it was a peaceful protest, but stallholders didn’t appreciate customers being exposed to political conflict.

“It was a little too much of a political thing for the farmer’s market,” she said.

Synergy did not respond to Times questions about the market incident, but in a separate statement said consultation was undertaken with landowners.

“The investigation is still in its very early stages of feasibility,” the power provider said.

A State Government spokesperson said the proposal was “exactly that – a proposal”.

“Synergy is yet to determine whether the project is financially or physically viable and has not conducted any site surveys nor obtained development approvals,” they said.

“Those steps will require thorough and transparent community consultation and will be necessary for this project if it is to go ahead.”

Mr Baxter said he believed Synergy faced an uphill battle to get enough support from farmers amid concerns the big project could hinder future agriculture in Scott River.