Tomahawk turns up anti-turbine message
Tomahawk Protection Society President Bob Campbell at Tomahawk.
March 5, 2025
More community information sessions are being planned across the region as ACEN continues with plans for its $4 billion North East Wind project.
The team behind the project is meeting with interested people at drop-in sessions at Bridport Hall from 12 noon-6pm on Friday, March 14, and Tomahawk playground on Saturday March 15, from 10am-4pm.
It will also hold events at Gladstone Hall on Friday, March 28 from 12 noon-6pm and Musselroe Bay Fire Station on Saturday March 29 from 10am-4pm.
An ACEN representative spoke to the North Eastern Chamber of Commerce about the project on Monday night.
“It is worth going along to actually see how big the proposed project is and if you have questions, they are very happy to accommodate,” Chamber President Maria Branch said.
The newly established Tomahawk Preservation Society has been launched to fight against components of the 210-tower wind farm, which are planned for close to their town.
TPS President Bob Campbell argues the coastal community hasn’t been consulted properly about the project.
The wind farm, which is being assessed as a Major Project under the Tasmanian Land Use Planning and Approvals Act, will be developed across two clusters at Waterhouse and Rushy Lagoon.
It will have a generation capacity of up to 1,260 megawatts which could power 525,000 homes each year.
The project also includes a transmission line to Bell Bay, onsite electrical infrastructure, temporary construction facilities, workers accommodation and may include a wharf facility.
An indicative outline of turbine locations 3km away from Tomahawk was released in November 2024 when ACEN spent time in the area showcasing augmented reality vision of what the towers may look like from the town.
The indicative map shows 23 towers to the south-west of the town, seven near the Tomahawk River and a further 12 to the east of Tomahawk Rd.
“People at Tomahawk want to voice their concerns about the proposed ACEN development,” Mr Campbell said.
“Renewable energy is important but not like this.
“The towers will be 270 metres high, significantly taller than the existing structures at Musselroe.
“Due to Tomahawk’s flat terrain, the towers will be visible from both the township and the beach. This development will severely compromise the amenity of Tomahawk and the significant views of Mount Cameron.
“The Tomahawk Protection Society has been established to safeguard the character of our special community from this unfair proposal.”
The group has established a website - www.notlikethis.org and more details about the proposal can be found on ACEN Renewables’ website newind.com.au.
A section of the ACEN Indicative Wind Turbine Layout (November 2024) highlighting the Tomahawk area in question.