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 farm: Planning panel meets
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 . . .
Council concerned over effects and costs of wind farm
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 – states council might not have the expertise assess wind farm applications to an adequate standard. It also expresses concern over anticipated consultancy . . .
Residents speak out at Clare
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 . . .
Hot air – Wind farms ‘bollocks’
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.” . . .
Issue won’t blow away
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 . . .
Wind power similar to asbestos, tobacco industries: NSW GP
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 . . .
Wind farm threat to Eden’s tourism future
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 – which will make Boyd’s Tower look like a match stick – is the one issue that it seems everyone can . . .
Wind farm to be built near Colac
A $400 million wind farm will be built in Victoria’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 . . .
Long-delayed Colac wind farm a goer
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 . . .
Opinions divided on wind farm amendments
The wind farm gust blew to Naracoorte this week at a public meeting held to discuss the South Australian Government’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 . . .
