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<channel>
	<title>National Wind Watch: News Watch &#187; Australia</title>
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	 	<title>National Wind Watch: News Watch &#187; Australia</title>
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	<description>Industrial Wind Energy News</description>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farms not welcome in Shellharbour</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/09/wind-farms-not-welcome-in-shellharbour/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:40:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[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 .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18919</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Panel hears wind farm concerns</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/09/panel-hears-wind-farm-concerns/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:38:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[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 .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18927</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Turbine debate blows into town</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/09/turbine-debate-blows-into-town/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:35:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[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 .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18899</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Health fears over wind farms unite Coalition, Greens</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/08/health-fears-over-wind-farms-unite-coalition-greens/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:25:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[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 .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18893</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Call to halt wind farm work during landscape assessment</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/08/call-to-halt-wind-farm-work-during-landscape-assessment/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:08:16 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[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 .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18868</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farms and health: who is fomenting community anxieties?</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/06/wind-farms-and-health-who-is-fomenting-community-anxieties/</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:44:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[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 .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18809</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Buninyong hosts wind farm forum</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/06/buninyong-hosts-wind-farm-forum/</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:50:41 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[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 .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18760</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Penshurst wind project raises fears</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/06/penshurst-wind-project-raises-fears/</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:45:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[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 .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18770</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Heated wind farm forum</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/03/heated-wind-farm-forum/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:42:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[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&#8217;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, .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18642</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm guidelines &#8220;slap in a face to Councils&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/02/wind-farm-guidelines-slap-in-a-face-to-councils/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:15:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[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 .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18600</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm: Planning panel meets</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/02/wind-farm-planning-panel-meets/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:32:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Thirteen local groups and individuals have registered to make presentations concerning the Eden wind farm proposal at a consultation meeting being held today (Thursday) with the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP). Chair for the JRPP’s Southern Region, Pam Allan, said the meeting was an opportunity for the panel, which will either approve or reject Epuron’s wind farm application, to hear submissions from the public to get an idea of concerns and issues surrounding the proposal. “It’s certainly generated a lot .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18601</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Council concerned over effects and costs of wind farm</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/01/council-concerned-over-effects-and-costs-of-wind-farm/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:14:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Mid-Western Regional Council has expressed concern it will not be able to properly assess future applications for wind farms in the region. Concern comes from council’s submission to the state government’s Draft Planning Guidelines for Wind Farms on exhibition and open for public comment to March 14. The submission – to be presented at tonight’s council meeting &#8211; states council might not have the expertise assess wind farm applications to an adequate standard. It also expresses concern over anticipated consultancy .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18530</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Residents speak out at Clare</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/01/residents-speak-out-at-clare/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:12:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[About 100 people attended a wind farm forum hosted by Democratic Labor Party Senator John Madigan in Clare Town Hall last Tuesday night. Senator John Madigan, of Ballarat, has held forums in various communities of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria to hear what the people think about the seven recommendations of the Senate Inquiry into the Social and Economic Impact of Rural Wind Farms. “State and Federal governments are not only wilfully ignoring the health and wellbeing of .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18552</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Hot air &#8211; Wind farms &#8216;bollocks&#8217;</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/31/hot-air-wind-farms-bollocks/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:27:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The public meeting on wind farms at Naracoorte on Tuesday night sent a strong message to the State Government: Leave the SE alone. Only five of the 22 people at the meeting voiced their opinions on the Development Policy Amendment plan at Naracoorte Town Hall, but it was clear that the prevailing attitude of the meeting was hostility towards wind farms. One opponent described the DPA plan as “complete and utter bollocks”, while another pleaded: “Please do not forget us.” .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18481</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Issue won&#8217;t blow away</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/30/issue-wont-blow-away/</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:26:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Local communities are being reminded to make sure their views are heard on the NSW Government draft Planning Guidelines for Wind Farms. Member for Goulburn Pru Goward is urging residents to review the draft wind farm guidelines which are on public exhibition until March 14. “The draft Guidelines strike a balance between providing opportunities for investment in wind farms and protecting local communities from potential impacts of new developments,” Ms Goward said. “The former NSW Labor Government left communities like .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18458</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind power similar to asbestos, tobacco industries: NSW GP</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/27/wind-power-similar-to-asbestos-tobacco-industries-nsw-gp/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:29:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[A NSW GP has dismissed claims wind turbines cause no ill health effects and called on his colleagues to join the fight against the wind power industry, which he compared to the tobacco and asbestos industries. Carcoar, NSW, GP Dr Alan Watts, who was recognised with an Australia Day Award in 2004 for service to medicine, has called for “rigorous and independent” research into the health effects of wind turbines to “settle the matter once and for all”. Dr Watts .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18333</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm threat to Eden&#8217;s tourism future</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/26/wind-farm-threat-to-edens-tourism-future/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:15:13 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[After all was said and done at last Thursday’s public forum on the proposed Eden wind farm, what it seemed to come down to is whether or not the seven, 135 metre wind turbines proposed for the South East Fibre Exports (SEFE) site could jeopardise Eden’s future as a tourism drawcard. The visual appeal or otherwise of the turbines &#8211; which will make Boyd’s Tower look like a match stick &#8211; is the one issue that it seems everyone can .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18276</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm to be built near Colac</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/26/wind-farm-to-be-built-near-colac/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:13:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[A $400 million wind farm will be built in Victoria&#8217;s Western District six years after receiving planning approval from the state government. Spanish company Acciona Energy said the 63-turbine plant at Mount Gellibrand, 25 kilometres east of Colac, would generate enough power to run about 88,000 homes. Construction of the 189-megawatt clean energy plant, scaled down from an initial proposal of 116 turbines, will start in March. Advertisement: Story continues below The wind farm needed final government approval before construction .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18199</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Long-delayed Colac wind farm a goer</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/25/long-delayed-colac-wind-farm-a-goer/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:55:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[About 200 construction jobs are expected to be generated within three months as work on a Colac wind farm gears up. Spanish-based Acciona Energy has announced it will kick start a $400 million turbine project in March based in the Mount Gellibrand district, 20 kilometres north-east of Colac. Work on the 63-turbine site will start six years after the project was originally given the green light by Spring Street, the lag due to internal planning by the company. The wind .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18296</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Opinions divided on wind farm amendments</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/25/opinions-divided-on-wind-farm-amendments/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:29:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The wind farm gust blew to Naracoorte this week at a public meeting held to discuss the South Australian Government&#8217;s proposed legislation on wind farm developments. More than 20 people attended, with most opposed to the new changes which include a one-kilometre buffer zone between wind farms and homes, and the removal of a third party appeal to contest proposed developments. Six attendees presented verbal submissions they had prepared to a five panel Development Policy Advisory Committee in the Naracoorte .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18239</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Doctor demands more wind farm health studies</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/25/doctor-demands-more-wind-farm-health-studies/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:28:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[A campaigner against wind farms in the state&#8217;s central west says New South Wales Health&#8217;s position on the medical effects of the developments is wrong. Documents obtained under freedom of information show the department questions the validity of claims turbines can cause headaches and high blood pressure. Carcoar doctor Alan Watts says the department&#8217;s position is well known and the documents do not reveal anything new. He says the concerns of residents should be enough to prompt further studies. &#8220;We .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18223</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>What you can&#8217;t hear can hurt you</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/24/what-you-cant-hear-can-hurt-you/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:09:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[When American noise expert Robert Rand turned up to work in Maine, in the US northeast, in April to investigate the impact of wind turbines on nearby residents he was literally blown away. Not only did Rand&#8217;s readings confirm many fears in the community, he claims to have become an unwitting victim himself. A member of the Institute of Noise Control Engineering and a technician with 30 years&#8217; experience, Rand was working for a philanthropic donor wanting to investigate why .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18190</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>South East residents join wind farm protest</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/24/south-east-residents-join-wind-farm-protest/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:08:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Residents from the South East were among more than 100 people that gathered on the steps of Parliament House in Adelaide last week to protest against statewide wind farm development changes. Under the changes wind farms will be assessed as Category 2 developments, which alters the rights of residents to appeal against developments near their homes. The new rules also limit the scope of councils to refuse approvals to projects. People from across the state attended the peaceful protest last .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18191</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Atherton Tableland wind farm meeting blows hot</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/24/atherton-tableland-wind-farm-meeting-blows-hot/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:07:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[A gusty debate over the Mt Emerald wind farm development saw residents air their concerns at a public meeting at Walkamin last Wednesday. Dalrymple MP Shane Knuth and Katter’s Australian Party candidate for Cook Lachlan Bensted attended the forum, which saw about 20 locals gather to express their fears over the $520million proposal to build 75-turbines between Mareeba and Atherton. Walkamin farmer Steve Lavis said residents had received little consultation about the project. “We have had no assurances or information .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18182</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Forums focus on wind farm impact</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/24/forums-focus-on-wind-farm-impact/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:05:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[A Victorian Senator hopes a series of public forums he has arranged on wind farms, starting at Clare tonight, will prompt the Federal Government to act on recommendations made last year. The seven recommendations, including changes to noise standards and better handling of complaints, result from a Senate inquiry into the social and economic impact of wind farms. Democratic Labor Party Senator John Madigan says he has taken it upon himself to ensure the inquiry and its recommendations are not .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18174</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Public to speak out on wind farm rules</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/24/public-to-speak-out-on-wind-farm-rules/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:04:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[A public meeting tonight about the South Australian Government&#8217;s new rules on wind farm developments will address location, health implications and appeal rights. Up to 20 people are expected to speak at the meeting in Naracoorte. The changes include a one-kilometre buffer zone between wind farms and homes, while also making it more difficult for third parties to object to developments. Andrew Grear from the Planning Department says those who have made written submissions will be able to speak tonight. .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18175</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Councils question wind farm legislation</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/23/councils-question-wind-farm-legislation/</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:21:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The Central Local Government Region has responded to the State Government&#8217;s proposed changes to wind farm development rules, saying they have not fully addressed the concerns of communities. The South Australian Government said the Statewide Wind Farms Development Plan Amendment proposed in October last year would unlock $1.8 billion in investment funds, but local councils are questioning its impact on communities. The Central Local Government Region (CLGR) of South Australia has provided feedback on the wind farm changes that could .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18143</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Better coordination urged in wind farm fight</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/23/better-coordination-urged-in-wind-farm-fight/</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:20:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The Family First Party says a state-wide group is needed to tackle wind farm developments. A number of groups have been formed to oppose wind farms in various regions, including Keyneton near the Barossa Valley. The party&#8217;s Rob Brokenshire says a more coordinated approach will be discussed at a forthcoming meeting. &#8220;The Government and those that are pro-wind farm at all costs want to brand them in a certain name but I won&#8217;t accept that,&#8221; he said. &#8220;These people are .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18140</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Editorials]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm report: when spin meets research</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/20/wind-farm-report-when-spin-meets-research/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:41:35 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The evolution of spin and manipulation of fact reached new levels this week following the release of a CSIRO report which detailed research into community sentiment about wind farms. Included in the report was an analysis of media coverage of wind farm developments and a conclusion that a minority opposed to such projects received better coverage than those who held more supportive views. The Courier, which was not assessed as part of the research, was one of the few media .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18053</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Against the wind: The pursuit of clean energy has relegated ordinary people to the status of &#8216;collateral damage&#8217;</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/20/against-the-wind-the-pursuit-of-clean-energy-has-relegated-ordinary-people-to-the-status-of-collateral-damage/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:19:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Even before they threatened my property, I was opposed to wind farms. They fail on all counts. They are grossly inefficient, extremely expensive, socially inequitable, a danger to human health, environmentally harmful, divisive for communities, a blot on the landscape, and don’t even achieve the purpose for which they were designed, namely the reliable generation of electricity and the reduction of CO2 emissions. Even if you buy the anthropogenic global warming case, experience shows that wind energy is not the .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18034</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Editorials]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>When spin meets research</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/20/when-spin-meets-research/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:18:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The evolution of spin and manipulation of facts reached new levels of clarity this week following the release of a CSIRO report which detailed research into community sentiment about wind farms. Included in the report was an analysis of media coverage of wind farm developments and a conclusion that a minority opposed to such projects received better coverage than those who held more supportive views. The Courier, which was not assessed as part of the research, was one of the .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18040</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Ex-ABC chief hits out at wind farms</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/20/ex-abc-chief-hits-out-at-wind-farms/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:15:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Former ABC chairman Maurice Newman has launched a stinging attack on wind energy and the way government bureaucracy has been willing to trample the rights of ordinary people to promote it. Mr Newman, who owns a property near a proposed wind farm in NSW, said he had waited until his term at the ABC expired last month before speaking out. In an essay published in Spectator Australia magazine today, Mr Newman says he opposed wind farms even before they threatened .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18029</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Farmers get wind of turbine trouble</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/farmers-get-wind-of-turbine-trouble/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:27:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Protecting landholders who live near wind farms but receive no direct benefit from them will be among priorities for NSW Farmers in its submission to the State government on wind farms. The State’s peak farmer body has welcomed draft guidelines on wind farms released by the government in late December and will take its own draft policy to an executive council meeting next month. NSW Farmers president Fiona Simson said while a review of issues was welcome, clarity was needed. .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17925</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm reform sparks protests</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/wind-farm-reform-sparks-protests/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:36:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The State Government&#8217;s proposed wind farm planning reforms are undemocratic, according to protesters and politicians who rallied at Parliament House on Tuesday. The Statewide Wind Farms Development Planning Amendment supports changes that would deny landholders in sparsely populated areas the right to appeal against turbines built as close as a kilometre to their homes on an adjacent property. Only those living in a rural township or community zones, would have the right to appeal against a planned development which, under .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17947</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press releases]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm forums</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/wind-farm-forums/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:35:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Senator John Madigan will be holding a series of Public Forums on wind farms with the first one scheduled to be held in South Australia at the Clare Town Hall on January 24. The Forums are being called after the Federal government’s failure to act on the seven recommendations published by the Senate Inquiry into Wind Farms in its final report of June 2011. Senator John Madigan said the lives and health of the residents living near wind farms were .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17952</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>CSIRO wind farm report &#8216;unbalanced&#8217;</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/csiro-wind-farm-report-unbalanced/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:34:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The Australian Environment Foundation is slamming a CSIRO report which claims wind farm support is higher than reported in the media. The report, Exploring community acceptance of rural wind farms in Australia, released earlier this week, looked at nine wind farms across South Australia, NSW and Victoria and analysed 49 articles from 19 newspapers in the second half of 2010. The report found more reasons for wind farm opposition were reported than reasons for support and that rural residents who .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17960</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>A windy day in the city</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/a-windy-day-in-the-city/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:30:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s the wind war which won&#8217;t blow over, evident when over one hundred protestors gathered on Parliament steps in Adelaide to oppose a proposed legislation regarding wind farms. Made up of regional and rural South Australians from across the state, banners sent a clear message to the state government &#8211; &#8216;We don&#8217;t want wind farms near our homes&#8217;. Opposition members David Ridgeway and Robert Brokenshire addressed the crowd, both of whom rejected the state government&#8217;s proposal. The proposed legislation stipulates .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17907</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm planned for Stony Gap</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/wind-farm-planned-for-stony-gap/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:26:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The developers of the last installed wind farm in South Australia are looking to construct another one about seven kilometres away. The Waterloo wind farm near Clare was officially opened last February. The developers, TRUenergy have since submitted a development application to the Goyder Council to construct 41 turbines at Stony Gap. Clint Purkiss from TRUenergy says under the original operators, Roaring 40sthe project was much larger. &#8220;We&#8217;ve certainly scaled back and minimised the footprint of the overall wind farm,&#8221; .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17923</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Birds of a feather flop together</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/birds-of-a-feather-flop-together/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:37:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[I have seen the future and it is a landscape littered with useless wind turbines, dead birds and billions of wasted taxpayer dollars. That is, if Bob Brown, his specific Greens (upper case, official) and the greens (lower case, unofficial, assorted, equally destructive) get their way. As discussed on Tuesday, not only are Brown and the Greens totally indifferent to the mass slaughter of birds by the turbines. The one small mercy is that their very uselessness reduces the kill .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17976</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Ramsay defends wind farm criticism</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/18/ramsay-defends-wind-farm-criticism/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:17:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Greg Barber&#8217;s opinion piece (The Weekly Times, January 11), is an unfortunate rambling of criticisms laid against me which warrants a reply. Firstly, it is incorrect to say that I am anti-wind farms. In fact, I support wind farm generation in well-planned areas and support other renewable energies. It is also true that six years ago I, and other landholders, supported a proposed Mt Gellibrand wind farm, being developed by a German company with certain conditions. The conditions were never .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17922</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Moyne Shire mayor scoffs at survey results as residents stand firm on wind farms</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/18/moyne-shire-mayor-scoffs-at-survey-results-as-residents-stand-firm-on-wind-farms/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:01:11 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Moyne Shire residents are holding their ground against regional Victoria’s growing number of wind farm supporters, according to mayor Jim Doukas. Renewable energy company Pacific Hydro yesterday released results of a telephone poll indicating overwhelming support for the construction of wind farms in regional Australia. The survey from independent research company QDos interviewed 1000 residents in 10 communities with wind farms in development or operation across New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, including Waubra and Portland. The level of .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17889</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Group casts doubt over wind farm report</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/18/group-casts-doubt-over-wind-farm-report/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:53:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[An anti-wind farm group, the Waubra Foundation, has rejected the findings of a CSIRO report into attitudes towards wind farms. The study concluded a vocal minority who oppose wind farms are more prominent in the media and attract more political attention. However, the foundation&#8217;s medical director, Dr Sarah Laurie, says the Government should be conducting medical research. &#8220;I think we actually need to get away from opinions,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I think we actually need to collect some hard data on .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17859</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Lobby group sees wind farm as safety worry</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/18/lobby-group-sees-wind-farm-as-safety-worry/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:50:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[A community lobby group says a wind farm south of Eden on the New South Wales far south coast could threaten the safety of workers at the region&#8217;s woodchip mill. The Sydney developer Epuron has lodged an application with Bega Valley Shire Council to build seven turbines on the mill site. The Save Twofold Bay group says the industrial site is low key, but the wind farm will impact on tourism by dwarfing historic attractions. The group&#8217;s chairman, Peter Barber, .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17875</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Be clean and green but be responsible</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/18/be-clean-and-green-but-be-responsible/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:35:13 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[I write in response to Mark Bretherton of the Clean Energy Council and his criticism of evidence of research that has been conducted in the US. To help clear up the controversy about whether there are adverse health effects occurring as a result of turbines being placed too close to peoples&#8217; dwellings, we need all the research we can get. The Senate inquiry into the social and economic effects of rural wind farms which was held last March recommended that .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18081</guid>
		</item>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Questions arise over CSIRO wind farm report</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/17/questions-arise-over-csiro-wind-farm-report/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:29:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[A report claiming strong community support for wind farms, including Hepburn, has raised questions about the independence of Australia’s peak scientific body. The 81-page CSIRO study found negative media reporting of wind farm issues did not correlate with positive community views. The Courier was not included in the examination of wind farm articles across 19 newspapers against community attitudes. But the involvement of local green entrepreneur Simon Holmes a Court as well as the CSIRO’s alleged close links to wind .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17830</guid>
		</item>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind war blows into city</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/17/wind-war-blows-into-city/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:06:35 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The wind farm saga that divided a community in the South East has blown into the city this week, as protestors gather on Parliament steps in Adelaide to voice concerns over the proposal of a statewide legislation determining the proximity of wind turbines to homes and regional centres. Energy developer Acciona is one of a string of companies who have shown a strong interest in alternative means of energy as an investment opportunity. Hopeful of establishing wind farms in the .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17812</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Time to protest; Rural residents rally in fight against wind farm policy</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/14/time-to-protest/</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:45:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Protesters will take their campaign to the steps of Parliament House on Tuesday to fight the State Government&#8217;s changes to the wind farm approval process. Groups opposing the developments at Bagot Well, Allendale East, Hallett, Mount Bryan, Jamestown, Beetaloo, Crystal Brook, Peterborough, Millicent, Skillogalee and Curramulka will stage the rally, before the first public consultation meeting on the proposed law changes in Adelaide. In October, the State Government announced it would review land use policy as part of the Wind .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17732</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>State government wants to hear views on wind farms</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/12/state-government-wants-to-hear-views-on-wind-farms/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:55:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The NSW Government has released its draft Planning Guidelines for Wind Farms for extended public exhibition. Taking a swipe at the last state government, Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Brad Hazzard said the draft guidelines strike a balance between providing opportunities for investment in renewable energy and ensuring local communities are protected from the impacts of wind farm developments. “NSW Labor left local communities in the dark in relation to renewable energy, ignoring the concerns of rural property owners living .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17641</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Upper Lachlan wind farm stance vindicated</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/10/upper-lachlan-wind-farm-stance-vindicated/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:07:54 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[NSW Planning Department has vindicated the Upper Lachlan Council’s long-time stance that wind farm turbines should be located at least two kilometres from residences. The Department’s new proposals for wind farm developments has placed emphasis on the two kilometre set back. The draft for the new development rules require that an additional “upfront” assessment requirement will apply if the developer seeks to place turbines within two kilometres of a host or non-host residence. The developer must, if the new rules .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17545</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Australia]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Barossa groups voice their views over wind farms</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/10/barossa-groups-voice-their-views-over-wind-farms/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:05:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Barossa Council will make it clear this month; they do not support the introduction of the statewide wind farms development plan amendment for the area. The council’s senior manager planning services Louis Monteduro will address the Development Policy Advisory committee next Tuesday evening, (January 17) in Adelaide. In October 2011, the state government announced their proposed wind farm reforms that included state councils to be given greater responsibility, plus a dramatic reduction in public consultation over newly proposed wind farms .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17536</guid>
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