Hepburn Wind, which aims to build the two-turbine Hepburn Community Wind Park at Leonards Hill, now needs $9.6 million to make the project a reality.

Its share offer, with a minimum buy-in of $1000, is outlined in a prospectus.

Up to 180 people attended last Friday's lauch at the Daylesford Town Hall.

Hepburn Wind chairman Simon Holmes a Court said the wind farm had started as a "meeting of the minds" and included three years of "foresight, commitment and stamina".

"We have a site, we have a planning permit, we have support - we just need two turbines," he said.

Mr Holmes a Court, who has a holiday home in the shire, said he had already invested in the company on behalf of himself, his wife and their four children.

"Clean, renewable energy" would be provided by the turbines by 2010, he said.

John Thwaites, the State Government Environment Minister responsible for a $975,000 project grant in 2006, said the turbines would provide enough power for Daylesford and Hepburn. He said the project would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide by 12,200 tonnes a year.

Having the wind farm in a tourist region was also a benefit with tourists able to take back the idea of renewable energy to their own homes, he said.

A number of detractors, including long-time opponent Jan Grant, were also at the launch. Ms Grant, who lives at Leonard's Hill, said she did not want to comment until after reading the prospectus.

Some people expressed surprise at the $1000 minimum for shares saying it was too high for the average resident, however director Per Bernard said the figure was much lower than originally believed possible.