June 23, 2011
Australia
Australia
Court upholds wind farm snub
774 ABC Melbourne, www.abc.net.au 23 June 2011
The Clean Energy Council of Australia says it is too early to know if a court judgment against a wind farm near the Victoria-South Australia border will set a precedent for others across the country.
The future of a $175 million, 46-turbine project near Allendale East in SA’s south-east is in doubt after the Development Court upheld an appeal against the farm’s approval this week.
Russell Peate from the District Council of Grant says the ruling has come as a surprise, given past court cases against wind farm development.
“I’m not aware of any other that has been refused on visual amenity,” he said.
Russell Marsh from the Clean Energy Council says there was one positive aspect.
“The claims that wind turbines were making people sick have been rejected,” he said.
The developer, Acciona Energy, says it is considering lodging an appeal.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann has told Parliament of his concern about the appeal being upheld based on the farm’s adverse visual impact.
“This decision potentially contributes to uncertainty within communities and among wind investors,” he said.
“A large part of our success in building an international reputation for hosting wind investment has been our commitment to making the regulatory environment as certain as possible.”
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/23/court-upholds-wind-farm-snub/