February 25, 2013
Australia

Council snubs wind farm extension bid

ABC News | 25 February 2013 | www.abc.net.au

A wind farm proposed for mid-north South Australia is in doubt, after the local council rejected a request to extend planning consent for the project.

Pacific Hydro is yet to submit a development application for its Carmody’s Hill project near Georgetown but has had several extensions to a permit it gained in 2009.

The Northern Areas Council says concerns about the potential impact of wind farms did not play a part in the decision to not extend a third planning permit.

Mayor Denis Clark says the decision was based mainly on the amount of work the company had done since the initial approval.

“The approval states that unless substantive work has commenced within 12 months of the approval, date to consent expires,” he said.

“We’ve had a lot of advice, our staff have done a tremendous amount of work on it and it’s an extremely hard decision for council to make.

“It was only for the extension of time and all the other reasons, well there’s issues with wind farms as everyone knows and it’s hard to make a decision.

“It’s … very difficult for both sides because it’ll have ramifications down the track for sure.”

Pacific Hydro says it will seek to speak to the council about the decision.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/25/council-snubs-wind-farm-extension-bid/