September 6, 2007
Australia
Australia
Ballarat region wind farm protesters have welcomed a call to adopt a national code for wind farm applications.
The Federal Government is considering a national code for wind farm development to address community concerns over the booming industry.
Spa Country Landscape Guardians spokesperson Will Elsworth, who is opposing a development near Smeaton, said national regulations would allow landholders to have more knowledge of what ramifications wind farms presented.
“There might be more scrutiny put on wind companies if the code was brought in,” Mr Elsworth said.
Lal Lal and Elaine Landscape Action Group, which is fighting a 79-turbine wind farm east of Ballarat, would also welcome the changes.
Spokesperson John McMahon said a national approach could make it harder for alternative energy companies to hide their plans from affected communities.
“It’s not just limits that need to be placed on turbines. But research should be done on where the community wants them built,” Mr McMahon said.
Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage Ian Campbell said a uniform approach would provide consistency, certainty and community confidence in wind power as a future source of energy.
Mr Campbell also said a key component of the code should take into account the wishes of affected communities.
“While there is a great deal of support for the wind industry, I have received a large number of letters from people across Australia unhappy with the consultation processes and the location and size of proposed developments,” Mr Campbell said.
There were 20 turbines in Australia in 1996. Today there are 444. Another 130 are under construction.
6 September 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/09/06/call-for-national-code/