The Ararat Council seeks compensation after the debacle of the wind turbine blade

A Victorian Council says that it will seek compensation for the damage caused by a wind turbine blade that was hit on a residential street last week.

The 70 -meter -duration blade was being truck through Ararat in the central highlands of the state, when it became evident that it would be impossible to get it in a corner or that the vehicle returned.

The solution to the situation in McGibbony and Vincent streets last Tuesday was to cut a tree.

ABC understands that the blade was on its way to Bulgana Green Power Hub in Joel Joel.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) immediately began an investigation, and yesterday, the Council of the Rural City of Ararat told ABC that the organization was “seeking to recover the costs of the transport operator for damage to its assets.”

A large wind turbine sheet through a suburban street. — The Council says that the street signs and a tree had to be shot down to allow the passage of the blade. (Supplied: Marian Haddrick)

“(This is) that includes the loss of a street tree and a series of street signs,” said a council spokesman.

“The Council will also seek to assign a fine to the operator for breach of conditions of permits related to operating times within school bus routes.“

The City of Ararat was “one of several tips and interested parties” involved in the approval process of what is known as an excessive mass (OSOM) permit.

Applications are submitted through the NHVR and Ararat Council, they told ABC that a permit specifically for the transport of four turbine blades from Geelong to the Bulgana wind farm was submitted.

Men in high visuality near a fallen tree in a corner of the street. — A tree had to be removed to allow the truck to pass. (Supplied)

Anger

The Council granted a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) as part of the permission application and the consent of the permit was granted by the Council “Based on the TMP provided by the operator,” said the spokesman.

“The delays in the transport of the first two blades through Ararat resulted in interruptions in municipal services and school bus operations, as well as extended road blockages,” they said.

“These circumstances were aggravated by mechanical problems experienced by the operator.“

A knife of the wind turbine stuck in a tree next to a residential street. — The advice and residents want to know what failures they led to the incident. (Supplied: Marian Haddrick)

A NHVR spokesman said that permits were achieved to transport the blade, including an approved TMP that detailed how the operation would be carried out.

“The NHVR will work with the operator and the Ararat Council to understand how this incident happened to guarantee the safety of future movements of heavy vehicles on these roads,” said the spokesman.

A huge wind turbine blade on the back of a truck that has been stuck on a residential street. — The authorities say that the truck had been approved to travel around the city. (Supplied)

The Department of Transport and Planning declined to comment.

The owner of Bulgana Hub, Neoen, confirmed that the company transported blades to the Joel Joel site “as part of the operations and the maintenance of the project.”

“This occurs after reception and according to the corresponding transport permits of the state authorities,” said a spokesman.