September 1, 2011
Australia

Coalition restores wind farming rights

www.getfarming.com.au 30 August 2011

The Victorian Coalition Government has today restored certainty and fairness to local communities across regional Victoria through wide reaching reforms to wind farm planning.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy today announced that the Coalition Government had delivered on another election commitment through his approval of Amendment VC82, which reforms the way wind farms can be approved and prohibits a wind turbine being constructed within two kilometres of an existing dwelling unless there is written consent from the owner of the dwelling.

Mr Guy said without the written consent of the homeowner, the turbine placement could not be approved.

“This is long standing Coalition policy. The Coalition Government committed to giving local communities a key role in deciding where wind farms will go, and restoring fairness and certainty to the planning process for wind farms,” Mr Guy said.

“Amendment VC82 delivers on that commitment. I have already given planning control on wind farms back to local councils and have made available resources through the Planning Department to assist councils to make their own decisions on wind farm applications.”

Amendment VC82 also establishes no-go zones for wind farms in line with Coalition election policy.

All national and state parks will be no-go zones for wind farms, as well as the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges, Mornington Peninsula, Bellarine Peninsula, Great Ocean Road region, the Macedon and McHarg Ranges, and the Bass Coast.

Mr Guy said the Coalition Government had also ensured wind farms would not be permitted within five kilometres of regional growth areas, as specified in the Regional Victoria Settlement Framework.

“It is important that while wind energy develops, it does not do so to the detriment of rural and regional Victorians,” Mr Guy said.

“In just nine months, the Coalition Government has returned planning control for wind farms to local councils and communities, giving regional Victorians greater confidence in the planning system,” Mr Guy said.

Amendment VC82 provides certainty for industry and the community ensuring opportunities still exist within Victoria to establish wind energy facilities without impacting local communities and important social and environmental assets

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/09/01/coalition-restores-wind-farming-rights/