August 14, 2012
Australia

TRUenergy to challenge wind farm snub

ABC News | www.abc.net.au 14 August 2012

Electricity company TRUenergy will appeal against the Goyder council’s decision to reject its Stony Gap wind farm proposal in mid-north South Australia.

The council’s development assessment panel rejected TRUenergy’s proposal on August 1.

It was the first time a wind farm application had been knocked back at council level, under new State Government reforms.

The panel voted three-two against the development over health concerns relating to noise.

TRUenergy says the application met all state planning requirements and was supported by the council’s independent planning consultant, who recommended the application be approved.

It says it will appeal against the ruling in the Environment, Resources and Development Court.

TRUenergy says the 41-turbine wind farm would create more than 80 construction jobs and likely inject more than $15 million into the economy.

The company has also lodged an application to add six turbines to its Waterloo wind farm, near Clare, with the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council.

Senator Nick Xenophon says he is not surprised TRUenergy has appealed against the Goyder council’s rejection of the wind farm.

“This is not unexpected, there is a lot of money at stake here,” he said.

“The developer has a massive commercial interest in this development and I believe this case will be a test case in relation to wind energy in the context of how close it can be located to residents and their homes.”

Senator Xenophon says the court will need to consider all evidence from both sides when assessing the appeal.

“It’ll need to hear scientific evidence both in terms of low-frequency noise, the potential health impacts and I think it’s important that there be a case where as much evidence is heard, both for and against, so the court can make up its mind based on all the available evidence,” he said.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/08/14/truenergy-to-challenge-wind-farm-snub/