March 9, 2013
Australia

Wind farm debate blows up

Aaron Langmaid | 9 March 2013 | Herald Sun |

Premiere Denis Napthine could secure hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars worth of investment in his own electorate by easing wind farm restrictions.

But critics warned of a fierce confrontation if he reversed strict rules laid down by his predecessor, Ted Baillieu, who enforced the nation’s most restrictive wind turbine policies.

“Dr Napthine holds the key to securing the future of his own (South West Coast) electorate,” Steve Garner, the boss of Portland engineering firm Keppel Prince, said yesterday.

“Denis had to toe the party line on renewable energy, but we like to think he will be able to make a difference and help lock in the future of the south-west.”

But lawyer Randell Bell, president of Victorian Landscape Guardians, said wind power was unhealthy, inefficient and ineffective.

“Mr Baillieu’s policy was the best in the world,” he said. “He understood the fallacies of the industry.

“If Dr Napthine reneges on that policy, I’ll break his arms.”

Dr Napthine did not respond to inquiries on the subject yesterday.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/03/09/wind-farm-debate-blows-up/