November 3, 2011
Australia

Wind farm opponent claims double standard on buffer zones

ABC News, www.abc.net.au 2 November 2011

A group opposed to wind farming says there should be a minimum five-kilometre buffer zone between turbines and any type of dwelling.

But it says under the South Australian Government’s proposed changes to the planning process, it would be unable to argue its case.

The Government has flagged a one-kilometre exclusion zone between turbines and isolated dwellings and two kilometres from the edge of country towns.

Under the proposed changes, third parties would be unable to appeal against any development meeting those conditions.

The Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges Landscape Guardians group is opposed to a planned 57-turbine wind farm at Keyneton, six kilometres west of Sedan.

Group member Tony Walker says it will give its feedback on the planned changes to the Government soon.

“In an area where you’ve got hundreds of people, why stick a wind farm in the middle of it all?” he said.

“I just wonder why it is that people who live in cities have a higher rating than people who live in isolated houses?”

SA Planning Minister John Rau thinks the changes will bring more wind farm investment to South Australia by adding certainty.

Mr Rau says planned reforms will skew development away from populated areas and developers will still need to consult local communities.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/11/03/wind-farm-opponent-claims-double-standard-on-buffer-zones/