August 30, 2011
Australia

Jilted energy company seeks talks with Moyne

Alex Sinnott, The Standard, www.standard.net.au 30 August 2011

Top-level executives from Spanish-based company Union Fenosa are expected to meet with Moyne councillors and state government officials after a surprise decision to reject a major project permit.

The snap meeting was called within days of Planning Minister Matthew Guy’s decision to deny the company an extended permit for proposed wind farm developments at Hawkesdale and Yambuk.

Mr Guy accepted the majority vote of Moyne Shire councillors last week, following an election commitment to hand more planning power back to local government.

A Union Fenosa spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that company directors had made arrangements to meet with Moyne councillors on Thursday in Port Fairy. No further comment was given.

Moyne Shire mayor Jim Doukas said this week’s meeting was the first step towards better communication between developers and local government.

He said the state government’s set-back policy that stops the construction of wind turbines within two kilometres of a neighbouring property without the consent of the owner of the home was the right approach.

“The ball is in their court now,” Cr Doukas said.

“(Union Fenosa) had three years to do something from when the permit was granted, yet they just sat on their hands.”

Mr Guy’s spokeswoman said the Planning Minister had not been invited to the meeting, and in any case, would be unable to attend on Thursday as it was a parliamentary sitting day in Spring Street.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/08/30/jilted-energy-company-seeks-talks-with-moyne/