Wind Power News: Australia
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Wind farms not welcome in Shellharbour
Wind farms will not be welcome anywhere in Shellharbour after the city’s council decided to oppose future developments and to make its views known to the State Government. Mayor Kellie Marsh used her casting vote to pass the motion on Tuesday night, with support from her Liberal colleague Paul Rankin and independent councillor Helen Stewart. Labor Deputy Mayor Marianne Saliba yesterday said the council had ‘‘jumped the gun’’ ahead of the State Government’s draft wind farm guidelines, which are now . . .
Panel hears wind farm concerns
A risk to Australia’s defence capability and migrating whales were among concerns raised at a public meeting chaired by the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) on Thursday, February 2. The panel was in Eden to hear public submissions from 16 individuals and group representatives as part of the planning application process for the seven-turbine wind farm at the South East Fibre Export site on Twofold Bay. Applicant Epuron explained their proposal to the panel and around 30 concerned locals, before . . .
Turbine debate blows into town
Wind farms would impede Shellharbour City’s views and adversely affect its economic future, two councillors have argued. Cr Paul Rankin has also labelled wind farm technology “unproven” and sought more solid research on any potential health issues. Cr Rankin and Mayor Kellie Marsh submitted a Notice of Motion to Tuesday night’s council meeting. They proposed that council oppose any attempt to erect wind farms or wind turbines within the Shellharbour LGA. They also said the LGA’s unique features afforded a . . .
Health fears over wind farms unite Coalition, Greens
Greens and Coalition senators have joined forces to demand the Gillard government immediately fund independent studies into the health impacts of wind turbines. An amended motion calling on the government to adopt the recommendations of a Senate inquiry into the impact of wind farm developments on rural areas was passed without a vote, as only Labor was against the motion. Before being accepted, the motion was amended to remove a call for an immediate moratorium on wind farm developments. Negotiations . . .
Call to halt wind farm work during landscape assessment
The Government’s $2.5 million state-wide landscape assessment will be a waste of time if no changes are made to current south-west wind farm developments, according to Penshurst resident, Keith Staff. The Southern Grampians Shire supports the assessment which will take a closer look at the region’s landscape values. It has also put $25,000 towards a separate project – the Grampians Landscape Assessment. Mr Staff said the findings of the assessment could potentially put a stop to further wind farm developments . . .
Wind farms and health: who is fomenting community anxieties?
TO THE EDITOR: By his deployment of ad hominem arguments, outdated or industry-sponsored research, comparison to an unrelated phenomenon, and a biased selection of case studies and research reports, I fear the pro-wind-industry opinions expressed by Chapman[1] will only serve to exacerbate the psychogenic and sociogenic processes he laments. Wind turbine noise must be treated like any other source of community noise, and its association with renewable energy must not excuse it from public health guidelines. The emergence of large . . .
Buninyong hosts wind farm forum
It was an outpouring of grief, anger and determination. Over more than two hours, almost 30 people from across the state told a standing-room crowd in Buninyong how big business and big government were making their lives hell. In the second of a series of Australia-wide wind farm forums organised by Ballarat-based Senator John Madigan, about 200 people vowed to keep fighting for recognition and justice in the face of the Gillard Government’s renewable energy imperative. “We’ve got no choice . . .
Penshurst wind project raises fears
Ten submissions on a proposed giant wind farm for Penshurst district are being assessed by the Department of Planning and Community Development. RES Australia is planning a 223-turbine development on farm land south of the township to generate up to 758 megawatts of electricity fed into the statewide supply grid. The site for the wind farm covers more than 10,500 hectares across privately-owned grazing properties. The project is expected to be constructed in two stages over a two-year period and . . .
Heated wind farm forum
More than 100 passionate people attended a wind farm meeting near Ballarat last night. Crowds of people spilled out of the doors at the Buninyong town hall to have their say on the wind farm debate and the seven recommendations made following last year’s Senate inquiry on the issue. Dozens of people living near wind farms spoke about the health impacts the turbines had on their lives, while others living near proposed wind farms spoke of their fears. One speaker, . . .
Wind farm guidelines “slap in a face to Councils”
Cr. Malcolm Barlow, in a personal submission to the State Government’s proposed new guidelines for wind farm development, has described them as a “dog’s breakfast” and a “slap in the face” to Councils. He claimed the guidelines failed to provide a strong, certain and straightforward path that both protects the safety and amenity of Tablelands communities and lets the wind energy industry know precisely where it can and cannot build its “controversial and socially divisive industrial projects.” Upper Lachlan Council . . .
