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Large wind farms threaten heritage, tourism, council told By Liz Dadson |
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Large-scale wind farms are a threat to heritage and tourism in the Municipality of Kincardine. That's the word from Athina Gatos who made a presentation to Kincardine council in committee-of-the-whole last night (Aug. 4). Referring to the Armow Wind Power Project, proposed by Acciona Energy, Gatos said the wind farm will see up to 53 large-scale industrial wind turbines placed in the former Kincardine Township. As a member of Heritage Kincardine, Gatos said that committee's mandate is to protect and preserve many forms of heritage, including cultural heritage landscapes. These are geographical areas of heritage significance which could be destroyed by large-scale wind developments, she said. Gatos pointed to international examples, such as Spain where there are now 680 wind turbines which have damaged the cultural landscapes. Meanwhile, New South Wales, Australia, has written into its heritage bylaw the planning controls required so wind turbines don't take over. In the former Kincardine Township, there are meadows, fields and farmland, the Penetangore River flowing through the area, rolling pastoral hills of extraordinary beauty, barns and homesteads. All of this must be protected, said Gatos. She urged council to recognize and designate cultural heritage landscape areas. She also asked council, in co-operation with Heritage Kincardine, to do a study through the University of Waterloo, determining all the areas of note in the former Kincardine Township. Cost of the study would be $15,000 and would take about eight months, she said. Deputy mayor Laura Haight said it is all well and good to do a study of the cultural and heritage aspects in that area, but the province is in charge of wind developments under the Green Energy Act. So, there is nothing the municipality can do to protect those cultural heritage landscapes because all the approvals rest with the province. Gatos said that if there is no cultural heritage landscape designation on the protected areas, then there is nothing to stop wind developers from putting turbines on them. "I feel this designation would allow the municipality some influence and leverage at the planning meeting," she said. "But we're not at the table (planning meeting)," said Haight. "That was all taken away by the province. We have no process to negotiate with a company like Acciona. We have no table to be at." She said Gatos should consider whether her plan is to designate cultural heritage landscapes or to find an obstacle for wind farm development. Haight also asked what implications there are for property owners if their land is designated a cultural heritage landscape
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 Athina Gatos "It's a new designation," said Gatos. "We need more research and information on it." She admitted she does not know if there would be opposition from landowners because she has just brought forward this proposal. "I support doing a study, provided it does not interfere with agricultural activities," said councillor Guy Anderson. Chief administrative officer John deRosenroll suggested Gatos' proposal go to the planning and building committee for review and then a report back to council. "With the airport mapping, we were able to work with the wind farm companies," he said. "We should have our planner review this proposal and decide what's relevant and what's not." Council agreed.
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