October 10, 2011
Australia

NSW Nationals urge wind farms freeze

ABC News, www.abc.net.au 10 October 2011

The New South Wales Nationals’ state conference has called for a freeze on new wind farms and new national parks.

Delegates at the weekend conference passed a motion calling for a complete audit of national parks, an assessment of the impact of new national parks on regional economies and a moratorium on wind farms.

Murray-Darling Nationals’ MP John Williams has been critical of new red gum national parks declared in 100,000 hectares of state forests in the Riverina last year.

However, his Nationals’ colleague, Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hogdgkinson, has ruled out reversing the declarations.

Burrinjuck electorate delegate James Harker-Mortlock says more review is needed on new wind farm developments.

“There are approximately 300 turbines planned for a 50 kilometre circumference around the Yass area,” he said.

“It stretches from Yass across to Gunning, up to Crookwell and across to Rye Park and up to Boorowa. This is a substantial area and it will impact upon many areas and the local infrastructure.”

Opposition Leader John Robertson says the Government has no commitment to the environment.

NSW Nationals’ leader Andrew Stoner says while he understands concerns in his party over the creation of new national parks, the State Government will determine policy on the issue.

Mr Stoner says the Government is not bound by the weekend resolution.

“This is a motion that reflects the frustration of many people in regional NSW about the continued expansion of the national parks estate without the necessary resources to actually look after those national parks,” he said.

“That said, this is not a motion that was supported in any way by the NSW Government.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/10/10/nsw-nationals-urge-wind-farms-freeze/