April 14, 2008
Australia

Wind farm 'threatens SA's oldest trees'

Ancient trees that could be up to 4000 years old should be protected from a wind farm development in South Australia, the Australian Democrats say.

State Democrat MP Sandra Kanck said the eucalyptus globulus biocostata trees at Mt Bryan should be heritage-listed.

She said the Hallet 3 cluster of 32 wind farm turbines planned for the Mt Bryan area, north of Adelaide, would be only 20 metres from what could be the oldest trees in the state.

The Forestry Co-operative Research Centre has already dated the trees at about 4000 years old.

“As a species it is not threatened, but as the sole South Australian survivor of the wetter climates of 35-50,000 years ago, this stand of trees is of immense scientific and cultural value,” Ms Kanck said.

“It clearly meets the criteria for state heritage listing, obviously contributing to the understanding of the state’s history, especially its natural history.”

Ms Kanck said she would write to Environment Minister Gail Gago asking her to protect the trees.