Media Release 25 October 2012

Community shows support for wind power

25 October 2012

Portland showed its support for the wind energy industry at today’s regional launch of the Victorian Wind Alliance at the Keppel Prince wind tower manufacturing facility.

The first-of-a-kind alliance brings together small businesses, individuals, landholders, environmental groups, wind workers and renewable energy companies to demonstrate the benefits of wind farms for the communities who host them and for the environment.

The group has been formed because most Victorians want to see more wind energy, but Victoria’s wind industry is falling behind the rest of the world.

Alliance members will sign a statement of support for the sector and come together in meetings and social media to share positive stories and educate others about the benefits of wind energy.

Victorian Wind Alliance foundation member Steve Garner, MD of Keppel Prince Engineering, said it would play an important role in presenting the reality of living in a community where there are wind farms.

“Portland residents are well aware of the amount of local jobs, investment opportunities and community benefits that have been generated in our area by wind energy over the last decade,” Mr Garner said.

“We have over one hundred people employed here at Keppel Prince in tower manufacture and VicWind gives them a chance to have their stories heard and to put forward their opinions.”

Taryn Lane from Hepburn Wind, also a foundation member of the alliance, welcomed involvement from all sectors of the community.

“Polling shows strong and consistent support for wind energy in the state of Victoria. We invite those in communities hosting wind farms and the broader community to visit our website and sign a statement of support for wind as well as promote the alliance amongst their networks.”

People can sign-up to free email alerts at http://bit.ly/VicWind

For more information about the Victorian Wind Alliance please email [email protected] or check them out on twitter @VicWindAll

Vic Wind Alliance - Regional Launch:

9am, Thursday October 25
Keppel Prince Engineering
184, Darts Road, Portland, Victoria

Media enquiries to Leigh Ewbank, VicWind media officer: 0406 316 176