WARATAH Village shopping centre plans to install 13-metre-high wind turbines in its car park, an application lodged with Newcastle City Council shows.
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The application, on public exhibition, shows plans for three ‘‘small scale’’ wind turbines.
Homes in Coolamin Road would be about 60metres from the nearest generator.
The land is zoned as a ‘‘district centre’’, which prohibits eco generation works, but the application says the turbines could be allowed under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) if the council supported them.
The galvanised steel turbine towers would replace three existing light pylons running through the car park’s centre and would also carry lighting fixtures.
‘‘The proposal is for three small-scale wind turbines to complement and minimise the grid power supply, reduce the carbon footprint and the overall environmental impact of the shopping centre,’’ the application said.
Waratah Village property manager Sheldon Hayden said the centre would consult residents following feedback from the public exhibition.
‘‘Being a commercial property our energy costs, like everybody’s, are increasing,’’ Mr Hayden said. ‘‘We’re looking to feed back into the grid.’’
The Skystream 3.7 generators are marketed as a compact turbine for homes and businesses.
