General News
3 August, 2026
WIND STINK
FARMERS rallied outside a community consultation session in Pyramid Hill yesterday morning that they have labelled a charade.
FARMERS rallied outside a community consultation session in Pyramid Hill yesterday morning that they have labelled a charade.
The “peaceful protest” saw tractors and farm trucks emblazoned with placards and Australian flags lining McKay Street.
Inside the centre, the Danish-owned European Energy was holding by-appointment sessions for its proposed 40-turbine wind farm at Mincha.
Sally Twigg and daughter Amelia Leerson had been the first to be briefed by European Energy on updated plans released a fortnight ago - they said at 4.56pm on a Friday,
But Amelia and husband Chris remain unimpressed with the proposal they say will see four turbines plus battery storage and transmission stations within 1km of their home.
“They’re trying to tell us the wind farm will increase the value of our property,” they said. “It will do the opposite.”
“Today is just a charade ... they’re offering us $1000 a year for each turbine and the host properties are now being offered something like $80,000,” Chris said.
“We’re not getting answers to questions, our health concerns and they want us to use their doctors and their lawyers,” said Amelia.
A theme of the protest placards was concern for health and future generations of farmers in the district.
Byron Talbot, of Loddon Valley Renewables Awareness Group, said: “We are worried for our kids. This is risking our future.”
Long-time Mincha farmer Allan was among strident critics of the project that would have 250-metre high turbines dotting the landscape.
“The whole bloody thing stinks,” he said. “Leave us alone. We don’t want towers spoiling scenery.
“Both the Mincha and Macorna renewable energy projects are a menace. The whole federal agenda is destroying our economy and the ecology. We can still have gas, coal and nuclear. Look at China and India ... they’re thriving.”
Loddon Mayor Dan Straub told the rally council was working for clarity on the status of multiple renewable energy projects in the shire. “We’re with the communities in wanting straight answers without delay,” Cr Straub said.
Read More: Pyramid Hill