Andrew Aitken, director of Aitken Lawyers, said land owners who are living in communities where wind farm and solar projects are being proposed, should band together as a group. 

Based in Sydney, the lawyer of 12 years has experience in educating communities and landowners across NSW and Queensland on renewable energy projects such as wind farms.

In relation to the Jupiter Wind Farm proposed near Tarago, he said wind farm projects are relatively new in comparison to countries overseas and regulatory authorities and developers are learning as they go.

“Allegations of double voting won’t ultimately have much of an effect,” Mr Aitken said in response to the 600 submissions to the Jupiter Wind Farm.

“I’m not anti-wind farm. There’s other ways the community can benefit through jobs and infrastructure. There is a lot of myths and emotions during this process.” 

Mr Aitken has said that open dialogue and communication among a community has resulted in residents who were previously against the project, accepting it. 

“Every wind farm project I have heard or dealt with is very divisive in the community,” he said. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Planning and Environment said the assessment will depend on how long the applicant takes to respond to submissions.This also includes sourcing additional information or further studies. 

EPYC project manager for the proposed Jupiter Wind Farm Ibrahim Eid said the company is currently in the process of reviewing the submissions and responding to residents.