It is important to distinguish between genuine local concerns and the increasingly professional anti-wind activists whose strategy seems designed to confuse and inflame the debate on wind energy.
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In Australia, some anti-wind groups promote bogus science, claiming a litany of medical ailments attributable to turbines.
Human health is of paramount importance when considering our technological developments - this is why switching to renewable energy technology is incredibly important to our generation, and many generations down the line.
The health benefits of producing electricity that is free of carbon pollution are immediate and localised.
The Bodangora wind farm, once operational will generate on average 310 Gigawatt hours of pollution-free electricity per annum - enough to power the equivalent of 40,000 homes.
If we sought this equivalent electricity from coal, it would result in around 280,000 tonnes of carbon emissions being injected into the atmosphere.
In August last year, the Climate and Health Alliance and the Climate Institute stated that death and disease from fossil fuel usage will have a large financial burden on Australia over the coming years, and that consequences of coal-fired power may result in lung, heart and nervous system diseases.
Renewable energy avoids these impacts entirely.
In addition to the positive impact that renewable technology will have on human health, Infigen has a strong commitment to ensuring that the benefits of wind energy are spread equally across the communities where the wind farms are located.
Announced recently by the Wellington Council, Infigen has entered into a Voluntary Planning Agreement that formalises a commitment of $85,000 per year to be injected into the local community.
A committee of local stakeholders will be empowered with the responsibility of recommending the distribution of these funds each year.
The community benefit fund, along with the boost from construction and employment opportunities, will generate opportunities for local groups and organisations that would not otherwise existed without the successful development of the Bodangora wind farm.
Contrary to recent claims, Infigen has always and will always maintain transparency and inclusiveness during the development of the Bodangora wind farm.
Sensible and honest debate is encouraged and we request the community consider the facts and science behind every claim during the remaining assessment period.
The Wellington region deserves investment and they deserve opportunity.
Projects like the Bodangora wind farm will create long term benefits, and play a huge part in negating our over-reliance on fossil fuel technologies.
Frank Boland
Senior Development Manager - Infigen Energy
