July 26, 2011
Australia

Wind farm debate heats up with opponents’ appeal to PM

Charlie McKillop, ABC Rural, www.abc.net.au 26 July 2011

As the debate on carbon pricing continues, the Federal Government is staking its political fortunes on the ability of the renewable energy sector to meet an increasing proportion of our future energy needs.

Rural residents already concerned about the potential impact of wind technology fear Australia’s new clean energy future could leave them more exposed to the still unknown effects of wind farms.

Residents in Far North Queensland have appealed directly to Prime Minister Julia Gillard to intervene – asking for an immediate moratorium on a proposal to put up to 80 turbines in close proximity to rural residential homes at Mount Emerald, near Atherton.

Tablelands Wind Turbine Action spokesman Steve Lavis says rural residents need to be protected as the government pursues its carbon pricing policy agenda.

“Think carefully about it before we push ahead with the carbon tax which is encouraging the increase in this green energy. Our group is concerned that the carbon tax is going to result in wind farms being built too close to rural communities throughout Australia and this is a real concern until we have these national regulations put in place,” Mr Lavis says.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/07/26/wind-farm-debate-heats-up-with-opponents-appeal-to-pm/