May 26, 2011
Australia

Shultz calls for windfarm halt

ABC News, www.abc.net.au 26 May 2011

The Federal member for Hume Alby Schultz is calling for a halt to new wind farm developments in New South Wales.

The Liberal MP describes wind farms as inefficient, unreliable and expensive but says they are appearing in the Hume electorate at an alarming rate.

Mr Schultz said he has written to Barry O’Farrell but only had a reply from his office, not the Premier himself.

He said he knows of around 15 residents so far who have had notices of acquisition by wind turbine developers.

“There’s something seriously wrong about the planning process, and the way in which the wind turbine developers have been able to usurp the normal development application process,” he said.

“I’ve asked for a moratorium on all further developments of wind turbines in Hume and the two electorates of two state colleagues who seem to, since they go their ministerial cars, sat on their hands on this issues.

“Katrina Hodgkinson in particular made some specific promises to people about a moratorium at public meetings and since then has been silent.

“That prompted me to write a pretty strong letter to Barry O’Farrell the Premier, that was treated dismissively.”

Mr Schultz said as a former State MP, he will take action to protect residents’ interests if the state government won’t help.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/05/26/shultz-calls-for-windfarm-halt/