September 12, 2006
Australia

Industry group welcomes wind farm code

The association of wind energy companies, Auswind, has welcomed moves to develop a code of practice for the industry.

Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell convened a meeting of interest groups yesterday to discuss the issue.

Senator Campbell blocked the Bald Hills wind farm, in south Gippsland, this year to protect the orange-bellied parrot, but has since withdrawn the ban.

Dominique La Fontaine from the wind industry says the code will look at the relationships between wind developers, communities and interest groups.

“What we agreed to do yesterday was that this national code can encapsulate the work that’s being done by the industry already,” she said.

“So we see that all as coming together very well. It’s not about changing the planning system and Minister Campbell acknowledged that.”

Victoria’s Energy Minister Theo Theophanous has accused Mr Campbell of setting up veto powers on wind farm proposals.

Mr Theophanous says there is a danger the Federal Government will use the code of practice to block non-complying wind farm developers.

He says Mr Campbell is anti-wind farm.

“If he supported renewable energy then he would have a scheme which actually funded renewable energy,” he said.

“He dumped the mandatory renewable targets at a national level. If Victoria did not have a Victorian renewable energy scheme there would be no wind farms built in Victoria.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/09/12/industry-group-welcomes-wind-farm-code/