The New South Wales government has released photoshopped images last week of what an offshore wind farm would look like from the shores of Illawarra beaches, escalating the debate between locals about whether wind farms are environmentally friendly.
A conference was held by Responsible Future Illawarra Chapter in April, where former treasurer of New South Wales and current politician Andrew Constance attended.
Mr Constance said the photographs were misleading and the government should not go through with the planned wind farm.
“I’m just not convinced that the government is going about this the right way, given the high environmental risks associated with such a project,” Mr Constance said.
Local Wollongong surfer and environmentalist Bill Nott holds opposite views and supports the renewable energy proposal.
“I understand that people think they’re ugly, so are coal ships dancing along the horizon everyday,” Mr Nott said.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen is set to continue with the plan.
