00:02The landscape around Whaleback Ridge in Tasmania's west has been sculpted by some of the most
00:09consistent, powerful winds on the planet. It's a force West Coast Renewable Energy wants
00:15to harness.
00:16It is a unique advantage for Tasmania and something that we can really contribute the
00:21transition to renewable energies across Australia. We go all the way around, down towards Zian.
00:26The Whaleback Ridge wind farm would be massive, with 280 turbines across 40,000 hectares of
00:33public land, costing $3.5 billion and capable of generating 2,800 megawatts, which is more
00:40than the energy capacity of all of Hydro-Tasmania's dams. The company says the project is subject
00:47to rigorous environmental approvals.
00:50We're working through that approval process now. That's a long process, but it should be.
00:54It needs to be rigorous. Wind farms aren't things that we should put anywhere in Tasmania.
00:59But the Bob Brown Foundation fears a wind farm in that location would threaten native wildlife,
01:05including the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot. The conservationists reject the company's
01:11claim that the wind towers will only affect a small area.
01:14The reality is if we put a tower in the middle of the Melbourne cricket ground, its footprint's
01:18going to be fairly small, but you can't play football anymore.
01:21If the company gets its way, it is hoping to begin construction on the first phase of the
01:25wind farm, the first 70 turbines in 2028. It says the project will create up to 350 jobs
01:31during the construction period, and 90 ongoing maintenance and support roles once the wind
01:36farm is up and running.
01:38While it's not yet guaranteed that the wind farm will be approved, the prospect of those
01:43jobs has residents in nearby Zean excited.
01:47Look, it's good for the town. I mean, Zean was one of the biggest cities in Tasmania many
01:50years ago, so it would be good to see Zean thriving again.
01:52a very fun part of I think let's keep going.
01:53A few hours later, if you would be in entry from Oswett, you'd be in a beautiful town.
01:55If you would watch the town hall in the way, you'd be in a beautiful town hall.
01:56Maybe you would like to meet people as well.
01:56You could hit the town hall on the left man, but the people that made you think they just
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