November 16, 2011
Australia

MP voices wind farm concern; Landholders urged to have say

Anelia Blackie, The Border Watch, www.borderwatch.com.au 16 November 2011

Mount Gambier MP Don Pegler has urged every landowner in the Allendale East and Eight Mile Creek district to make written submissions on the recently announced development plan changes to wind farms.

Under the proposed changes, wind farms will be assigned “Category 2” status, which denies residents the right to appeal against the developments.

The changes also propose a 1km distance between dwellings and turbines and 2km distance between turbines and the periphery of country towns.

A document explaining the changes and calling for public submissions has been released by Renewables SA and is available for download from www.renewablessa.gov.au or Mr Pegler’s office at 24a Bay Road, Mount Gambier.

Mr Pegler said he was opposed to the proposed changes.

“It is not right that they are taking away the rights of people to appeal against wind farm developments,” he said.

“I also don’t agree with the proposed distances of 1km and 2km – it should be greater than that.”

Mr Pegler said it was “extremely important” that landowners read the information document and made comment.

“It is essential that everyone makes comment, whether they live on their property or not,” he said.

“If someone has a spare or vacant block of land in the district, they may later find out they can’t sell it or build on it because of these changes.”

Mr Pegler said residents should be clear in their submissions on their views on the proposed distances and that their right to appeal had been denied.

Written submissions on the Development Plan Amendment can be made until December 13 by fax to 8303 0627 or email to dpac@sa.gov.au.

Following the close of written submissions, a public consultation meeting will be held at the Naracoorte Town Hall at 7pm on Tuesday, January 24.

If no submissions are received, the meeting will not be held.

Submissions will be considered for a report to the government by the Development Policy Advisory Committee, which may influence the final development plan amendment.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/11/16/mp-voices-wind-farm-concern-landholders-urged-to-have-say/