Valley News

In what may be an early indicator of the future challenges facing Australia’s ageing wind farm fleet, renewable energy company Pacific Blue has announced that it will not repower the Codrington wind farm in Victoria due to prohibitive costs.

Commissioned in 2001, the 18.2-megawatt (MW) Codrington wind farm will be decommissioned by 2027. Despite being ideally positioned near Port Fairy in southwest Victoria to harness the powerful Southern Ocean winds, Pacific Blue has deemed the cost of repowering too great.

“At this stage, Pacific Blue is not pursuing a repowering option for Codrington, as the site’s grid connection would require significant upgrades and today’s turbine siting requirements would preclude the installation of latest generation turbines, resulting in a non-financially viable project,” a company spokesperson said.

Repowering a wind farm is not merely a matter of replacing old turbines with new ones. Codrington’s current turbines, designed in the 1990s, are rated at just 1.3 MW each, with a hub height of 50m and a blade tip height of 81m. Modern turbines, by contrast, are rated between 6 MW and 8 MW, with tip heights exceeding 200m.

These larger turbines require new foundations, new spacing configurations, and upgraded infrastructure to integrate the additional power into the grid. This means navigating complex regulatory approval processes and securing new grid connection agreements. The cost of replacing a single turbine today ranges between $3 million and $5 million, making the financial viability of repowering uncertain.

The closure of Codrington highlights a looming issue for Australia’s renewable energy sector: the high cost of maintaining and upgrading wind farms as they reach the end of their operational lifespan. Other ageing wind farms will face similar challenges, with increasing costs making repowering projects less viable.

Also nearing the end of its operational life is the neighbouring 30 MW Yambuk wind farm, commissioned in 2007. While Pacific Blue has yet to disclose its plans for Yambuk, the financial pressures suggest that decommissioning could be the most likely outcome.

The broader 195 MW Portland wind project, which includes four wind farms completed in 2011, may also face similar cost challenges in the near future. As more first-generation wind farms approach the end of their design life, Australia may soon witness a wave of closures, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of wind energy infrastructure.

Pacific Blue has begun discussions with the Moyne Shire Council, state authorities, and regulators regarding decommissioning plans. Under its operating permit, decommissioning must be completed within 12 months of Codrington ceasing operations. Community consultation will play a role in determining how the site will be rehabilitated and how much of the infrastructure can be recycled.

The impending closure of Codrington serves as a stark reminder of the hidden costs associated with renewable energy projects. As more wind farms reach the end of their service life, governments and investors will need to consider the economic realities of repowering, decommissioning, and replacing ageing infrastructure. Without long-term planning and substantial investment, the promise of wind energy could be overshadowed by its escalating lifecycle costs.

Defence News

F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Japan, the United States, and Australia have begun training together for the first time as part of Exercise Cope North 25, marking a significant milestone in trilateral air interoperability. The exercise, running from 3 to 21 February at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, sets the stage for frequent trilateral F-35 activities among the three nations.

Historic Trilateral F-35 Operations

Cope North 25 represents the first integrated training exercise where Australia, Japan, and the United States are conducting joint F-35 operations. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed a contingent of 275 aviators, along with eight F-35As, a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, and an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft. Meanwhile, the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), United States Marine Corps (USMC), United States Navy (USN), and Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) have committed approximately 85 F-35A and F-35B fighters to the exercise.

RAAF Contingent Commander Group Captain Darryl Porter highlighted the importance of the exercise in advancing the trilateral commitment made by Australian, Japanese, and U.S. defence ministers in May 2024.

“Exercise Cope North 25 is the first activity to be conducted under a 2024 Memorandum of Intent to increase trilateral air cooperation between the RAAF, PACAF, and JASDF,” Group Captain Porter said. “Bringing our F-35s and workforces together allows us to build on relationships and share practices, which will increase our interoperability with each other.”

Enhancing Joint Capabilities

During the exercise, air forces from all three nations will focus on improving command and control practices, refining air combat tactics, and strengthening cooperation during missions in the Western Pacific. Cope North 25 serves as the first in a series of trilateral exercises designed to integrate fifth-generation air warfare capabilities and whole-of-force coordination.

Strategic Indo-Pacific Training

For the RAAF, participation in Exercise Cope North since 2011 has provided invaluable experience in operating within the Indo-Pacific region. Deploying to Guam offers aviators an opportunity to train in an environment that closely simulates real-world operational conditions.

“We can recreate challenging scenarios and mission objectives for what is already a highly skilled workforce, operating some of the world’s most capable aircraft and systems,” Group Captain Porter said. “This is key to ensuring our aviators are prepared to generate and deliver effective air power and stand ready to contribute to the collective security of the Indo-Pacific.”

By integrating forces and enhancing operational readiness, Exercise Cope North 25 lays the foundation for greater strategic cooperation, ensuring the three nations can work seamlessly together in any future contingencies in the Indo-Pacific region.

What Are the Symptoms of Phone Addiction?

In today’s digital world, our grandchildren are growing up with technology at their fingertips. While smartphones provide many benefits, excessive use can lead to phone addiction, impacting their well-being and relationships.

Some signs of phone addiction include:
📱 Constantly reaching for their phone, even when unnecessary
💬 Feeling anxious if they can’t check messages immediately
🔔 Imagining notifications when none have come through (known as “ringxiety”)
🌙 Waking up at night to check their phone
😞 Feeling stressed, sad, or irritable without their device
🚗 Risking safety—such as texting while walking or driving

As grandparents, we can play a role in guiding them toward healthier habits. Encouraging family time without screens, outdoor activities, and meaningful conversations can help. Leading by example and setting gentle boundaries can also make a difference.

If you’re noticing these signs in your grandkids, consider having an open and supportive conversation about the importance of balance. Sometimes, a loving nudge from a grandparent can have a lasting impact!

The Krakow Post

Booby-Trapped Equipment

When the unsuspecting soldiers powered up the Skyzone Cobra X v4 headsets, popular for controlling first-person view drones and available for around $300 on Amazon, they detonated, as an inspection later revealed plastic explosives embedded within each device.

An “individual donor” supplied the compromised gear, bypassing official military channels. The gear, originally intended as humanitarian aid, has now raised serious security concerns. Whether the sabotage was intentional, or an elaborate oversight remains unverified, but the implications are significant. Notably, neither Skyzone nor the Ukrainian Defence Intelligence has claimed responsibility.

At first glance, this incident has Ukrainian Defence Intelligence written all over it, but definitive proof may remain elusive for some time. Broader Implications Sabotage within supply chains is not unprecedented, and historical parallels offer insight into the situation.

One notable comparison is Israel’s covert attack on Hezbollah using explosive-laden pagers, an operation that required meticulous planning and execution. Similarly, this recent incident aligns with the evolving concept of “participative warfare,” where civilians, intentionally or not, become integral components of a larger conflict.

The revelation of this compromised gear is likely to trigger stricter scrutiny of donated military equipment. Moving forward, military units may be compelled to implement additional measures to verify the safety and integrity of unsolicited gear. This development adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile and precarious supply chain, emphasising the need for heightened vigilance in military logistics and procurement processes.

ED: This from my inbox from Ralph, thanks mate… There are a number of stories on this page, enjoy.

Ray,

Your readers may be interested in this site. While most of Quora is uninteresting gossip, this page is a ripper.

https://onlymesspace.quora.com/?__nsrc__=4&__snid3__=82676431247

Keep up the good work

Ralph Schwer

Hi ALL,

Just letting you know that I won’t be able to post anything to the website tomorrow as I will be driving home from Bundaberg after an enjoyable break at our daughter’s home in Innis Park. Going to miss the amazing seafood available up here.

We have a five-hour drive tomorrow and I will be taking it steady.

Cheers

Ray & Julie

ED: Who Else Finds It Astonishing That the Prime Minister while in Alice Springs Announces Further $884 Million for Bridging the Gap in the NT?

Frontline – Ray Payne OAM

The Prime Minister’s announcement of an additional $884 million for “bridging the gap” in the Northern Territory is yet another staggering allocation of taxpayer funds to Indigenous programs. With a total population of just 260,000 people, this new funding equates to over $3 million for every man, woman, and child in the Territory.

This is on top of the $39 billion already spent annually on Indigenous Australians, a figure that continues to rise despite little visible improvement in key outcomes such as health, education, employment, and community safety. The sheer scale of spending raises serious concerns about where the money is going and whether it is being used effectively.

The Numbers Don’t Add Up

The Northern Territory has a significant Indigenous population, many of whom live in remote communities. These communities often struggle with social issues, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to essential services. However, given the billions already poured into Indigenous programs, one must ask why these issues persist. If funding alone were the solution, these problems would have been eradicated years ago.

According to government reports, Indigenous Australians receive approximately $44,000 per person per year in direct and indirect government support, compared to around $24,000 for non-Indigenous Australians. Despite this, life expectancy, literacy rates, employment levels, and crime statistics remain troubling. The gap is not closing at a pace that justifies this level of expenditure.

Where Is the Money Going?

A major issue is the administrative costs associated with Indigenous funding. Bureaucracies, consultants, and advisory bodies consume a significant portion of these funds before they ever reach the communities in need. Reports suggest that millions are lost in red tape, mismanagement, and inefficiencies within government agencies and NGOs tasked with implementing Indigenous programs.

Moreover, there is little transparency or accountability for how these funds are spent. There have been numerous cases where funding has been squandered on failed programs, misappropriated, or spent on initiatives that do not deliver tangible benefits to Indigenous people.

A Different Approach Needed

Instead of simply throwing more money at the problem, the government should focus on ensuring that existing funds are being used effectively. That means greater scrutiny of Indigenous funding programs, independent audits, and a shift away from the bloated bureaucratic model that has proven ineffective.

It also means empowering Indigenous communities to take greater control over their own futures by promoting economic development, education, and self-reliance rather than fostering a cycle of dependency. There should be a greater emphasis on job creation, business development, and local leadership rather than government handouts that fail to produce lasting change.

Conclusion

Australians deserve answers. Why, despite decades of massive funding, do the same problems persist? Where is the accountability for how taxpayer money is spent? And why does the government continue to pour billions into a system that isn’t working? Until these questions are addressed, announcements like today’s $884 million commitment will only further fuel public frustration and disbelief.

Veteran Card holders in flood-affected areas of Far North Queensland can continue to access important medicines from an approved pharmacist even if they have not been able to get a valid prescription. This applies where there is an immediate need for the medicine.

The Veteran Card holder may not have a prescription because they can’t access it due to the floods, or if they can’t access their medical practitioner.

The supply of Veteran Card holder medicines in this way is subject to the Continued Dispensing arrangements of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Only one supply of medicines can be provided under Continued Dispensing arrangements in a 12-month period.

The Veteran Card holder must previously have been prescribed this medicine and the pharmacist must be satisfied that it is urgently needed and it is not practical to obtain a new prescription due to the floods.

So, if you urgently need medicine as outlined above, please ask your local pharmacist for support.

This measure will be in place until 31 March 2025.