In a corner of Portland's Henty Park surrounded by a cyclone fence sits the town's now defunct geothermal system. Constructed in 1983, it was unique in the world, and its 2006 closure was met with disappointment and anger that continues to simmer in the community.
(AUDIO 8:34 Minutes)
In 1978, Portland engineer Neil Buckingham began looking into the possibility of constructing a geothermal system in his hometown, that would take advantage of the hot water drawn from the ground for its water supply.
Mr Buckingham says less than half the available energy was being taken from the hot water, and says there was potential to expand the geothermal system to grow fish, herbs and spices, and even to develop health spas.
He was devastated when the bore was shutdown in 2006, and believes there was no justifiable reason for Wannon Water and the Glenelg Shire Council to do so.
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