Gersch: Bulgana setting example
Nhill community leader Rob Gersch has used a multi-million-dollar valueadding renewable-energy venture near Great Western as an example of the type of project needed to stimulate growth in the regions.
Cr Gersch, from Hindmarsh Shire and Rural Councils Victoria chairman, said coming up with large job-creating projects was the challenge confronting all regional municipalities.
“Without jobs we can’t attract people and without people we can’t survive,” he said.
“We need to find ways of replicating projects like the one happening in Northern Grampians.”
Work has started on Bulgana Green Power Hub, which, in a world first, will combine the use of wind-power and battery storage to provide energy for large-scale greenhouse-vegetable production.
Renewable-energy developer Neoen is combining with horticultural firm Nectar Farms with support from local and state government to establish the hub.
Cr Gersch said the project might lead to up to 1000 jobs, and that represented a significant boost to any regional community.
“There’s a theory that every dollar spent goes around seven times, so you can imagine the benefits,” he said.
“There are some frightening statistics out there about population decline, especially where there is broadacre farming, and the truth is that out of the 38 rural municipalities, 18 are in trouble and the other 18 aren’t far behind.
“People will move if they can’t get a good job and if there are services and infrastructure available, and most country towns have infrastructure. We just need jobs, jobs, jobs. The challenge we face is replicating the ideas, recognition of opportunities, direction and investment that led that project happening in Northern Grampians.
“As community representatives we need to just keep nibbling away and state, federal and local government have to come together for things to happen.
“Governments have to show they’re interested in rural and regional Australia.”
Proud
Northern Grampians mayor Tony Driscoll said his council was proud to be part of a unique alliance for such a significant project.
“The wind farm will power the expansion of Stawell’s Nectar Farms resulting in the first crop farm to be completely powered by renewable energy,” he said.
“And there are more knock-on effects for our community.
“During the building phase, up to 230 jobs will be created with further ongoing jobs after construction is complete.
“In addition, Neoen will soon launch an annual $120,000 community fund to provide financial support to community groups in the region.”
The power hub will comprise a 194-megawatt wind farm with Siemens-gamesa wind turbines, combined with a 20-megawatt lithium-ion battery provided by Tesla. Ausnet Services, the owners and operators of the Victorian electricity transmission network, will develop the transmission connection for the project.
The wind farm is due for completion by late 2019 with expectations of generating emissionfree energy, which can or will be stored on site for the use of Nectar Farms hydroponic greenhouse operations and-or fed into the national electricity grid.