October 18, 2012
Australia

Wind farms allowed 1km from buildings

Political Reporter Lauren Novak | adelaidenow | October 18, 2012 | www.news.com.au

New planning rules for wind farms will continue to allow turbines 1km from buildings but will give people affected by them the right to appeal.

The new rules retain the distance set out in interim planning arrangements which have been in place since October last year.

Those measures allowed wind turbines to be constructed 1km from homes and removed some appeal rights in the hope of unlocking huge investment.

Planning Minister John Rau said the new rules come into effect today and would require turbines be at least 1km from buildings and 2km from townships, airfields and other settlements.

Mr Rau said the new rules took into account 276 public submissions which raised concerns about the visual impact of wind turbines and the right of people to be notified about developments and have rights of appeal.

In cases where a wind turbine would be built within 2km of buildings, tourist accommodation, airfields or townships those people who would be affected will now have the right to be notified of, comment on and appeal the proposal.

The rules also:

REQUIRE developers to consider the potential impacts of wind farms on low altitude aircraft, often used for agriculture.

MAKE clear wind farms are expected to be erected in sparsely populated and rural areas.

SET stricter criteria for wind farm approvals in areas including McLaren Vale, the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Flinders Ranges, River Murray corridor and state waters.

Local councils had previously complained about having to rule on wind farm development applications using the interim guidelines that were subject to review.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/18/wind-farms-allowed-1km-from-buildings/