A PYRAMID Hill resident has taken aim at Dutch-based European Energy for failing to tell the community of its plans for a wind farm in the district.
Tara Hammet’s criticism comes after the company confirmed to the Loddon Herald that there would be community consultation on their proposal from this month.
She said: “Well it’s nice of them to finally come out of the closet and let the community know that they think it’s a done deal. 
“When so many are going to be affected by these enormous things, the community and especially the neighbours should have been made aware right when the discussions started. Instead we have had to find out for ourselves. 
“It has not helped with social licence good will. And it is causing community disharmony already. 
“We, the Pyramid community as a whole, that’s everyone, need to work together for our own benefit, to understand each other. 
“To know what our hosts, our neighbours, our whole district, our visitors all understand to be happening here. 
“I send a plea to the potential hosts, please please don’t wall yourselves off from hearing all the discussions, your decisions about windfarming will have long term and large effects on all of us. 
“Some may be beneficial, let’s not discount that. Some will be harmful. Let’s talk.”
Drew Chislett, who is president of the town’s progress association has urged district landowners  thinking of signing up to the  project to be  “contract” aware people. 
“These big companies don’t care about communities but just making as much money as they can,” he said.
“What may look like an ‘expression of interest’ could lock you into what you don’t want to be a part of which will include towers that reach well above the height of Pyramid Hill.”
April Kunde has written on the Loddon Herald’s online platform: “Why don’t they build their hideous wind turbines where they can see them?  A Dutch company profiting off Australian tax dollars whilst destroying our unique landscape. How are our beautiful wedge tail eagles going to deal with these things?”
European Energy’s country manager Australia, Catriona McLeod, said this month the company was investigating the feasibility of a wind farm at Mincha and early community engagement with neighbours and  the Loddon Shire Council, will start within weeks. Ms McLeod said there had been consultation with landowners that might have potential for turbines and wished to diversify their farming income.