At last we are seeing courageous, little groups from rural and regional South Australia stepping out and standing up against the giant power corporations who march in to erect wind towers, while withholding the entire facts in regards to the impact on the landscape and noise level of the turbines. With their sheer size, influence and financial backing, they easily hoodwink the unwitting locals, then traipse through and damage the landscape and environment, turning upside down the lives of rural citizens. And, in the process, with their “half-truths” and sales pitch, convert local council planning authorities into giving assent to such projects.

Full credit must go to this ‘gutsy’ group of Hallett appellants who, along their journey, are finding out just how much the power authorities have not been forthcoming with the real statistics and information when it comes to the negative impact of wind towers.

There are very few areas of untouched, pristine terrain left in this state and in the name of “environmentally clean power” this government wants to devastate some more. The area where the proposed wind farm of 38 turbines has been earmarked on the eastern side of Hallett is some of the most picturesque in our state. I am personally very familiar with this area having grown up and spent much time amid the rolling and majestic eastern hills with their native grasses, virgin bushland and rugged beauty. There are many natural springs in this area and who can say what impact the 18 metre footings dug for every tower would have on the aquifers below. The sheer logistics in constructing access roads through these rugged hills and natural bushland to enable the massive transportation of components would be nothing short of ‘raping’ the environment.