December 5, 2006
Australia
Australia
The developer of the Victorian wind farm blocked because of a perceived threat to the orange-bellied parrot has threatened fresh legal action against federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell unless he rules on the project by next week.
Wind Power Pty Ltd yesterday condemned Senator Campbell’s refusal to rule on the $220million project and warned it would take Federal Court action to compel him to make a decision.
Senator Campbell said last month he would await fresh advice from his department – which has previously supported the wind farm – before announcing his decision on the green energy project.
Wind Power director Andrew Newbold said company lawyers had written to the minister seeking a ruling by Friday week. “We are trying to … compel him to make a decision in accordance with his (legal) obligations,” he said. “The simple fact is this project has been delayed for an inordinate amount of time already.”
A spokesman for Senator Campbell said last night the company’s letter was “perplexing”, given that the department was yet to provide advice to the minister. “He has always said he would make a timely decision when that advice has been received.”
By Ewin Hannan
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/12/05/legal-threat-in-wind-farm-dispute/