November 14, 2011
Australia

Allendale wind farm appeal withdrawn

By Tash Impey, ABC South East SA, www.abc.net.au 14 November 2011

Renewable energy company Acciona Energy has withdrawn its appeal to the Supreme Court over the controversial wind farm proposed in Allendale East.

Acciona lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court, after the Environment Resources and Development Court upheld an objection to the proposed wind farm on the basis of visual amenity.

The project has divided the tight-knit community after many have expressed concern over the possible health impacts from the proximity of wind farms.

The South Australian state government is in an eight-week consultation process on proposed legislation stipulating the proximity of wind turbines to residential areas and regional centres.

Acciona’s Director of Communications, Tricia Kent said it will now prepare a new planning permit application, that meets the planning requirements announced by the State Government.

“It’s our preference to work to obtain approval from the planning authorities and we’re in a position to do that with a new application that will meet those new planning requirements and deliver a viable project that will make a great contribution both to the regional economy and to South Australia’s renewable energy efforts.

“We’ll need to look at the layout of the wind farm and make some modifications to our original proposal,” she said.

District Council of Grant mayor Richard Sage expected those who were opposed to the wind farm to feel either relieved or cheated by Acciona’s withdrawl.

“They will feel relieved to not have to spend money to oppose the project but also cheated about the new legislation which limits their appeal rights,” he said.

With submissions open until December, Sage encouraged his community to have their say.

“There’s an opportunity for change and for people to influence the new legislation,” he said.

Kent assured the new proposal would not exclude the local community.

“It’s certainly our intention to work with the local District Council of Grant and the local community,” she said.

The council has invited Commissioner of Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Tim O’loughlin to explain the proposed legislation to the community and get some feedback.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/11/14/allendale-wind-farm-appeal-withdrawn/