December 15, 2011
Australia

Fears wind farm planning rules rushed

ABC News, www.abc.net.au 14 December 2011

Councils say they have many issues to raise with the South Australian Government over new planning rules for wind farms.

Submissions closed on Tuesday.

There are 14 wind farms in the state and one under construction.

Former premier Mike Rann revealed the new rules in October, aimed at encouraging more investment in the sector.

The Local Government Association’s Wendy Campana says a one-kilometre buffer zone between houses and wind farms is not far enough.

“We’ve moved in haste with this and we need to spend a lot more time talking to our communities and councils about it,” she said.

“We think there’s been insufficient time, we should actually take a really good look at the state as a whole, so we’re thinking that there should be a specialist group formed to actually prepare such a strategy.”

Geoff Parsons from the Mid Murray Council says a more targeted approach is needed.

“Located where they wouldn’t have a substantial impact on biodiversity, where wind resources were at a premium,” he said.

Public consultation meetings are planned in the new year at Port Lincoln, Naracoorte, Peterborough and in Adelaide.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/15/fears-wind-farm-planning-rules-rushed/