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Farm group takes legal action over King Island wind farm
Credit: By Jane Ryan | ABC Rural | 12 September 2013 | www.abc.net.au ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
No TasWind farm group has commenced legal proceedings against Hydro Tasmania.
Writs were issued late yesterday in the Federal Court to put a stop to the proposed $2 billion 200-turbine wind farm on King Island, the largest in the southern hemisphere
No TasWind claims Hydro Tasmania is proceeding with a feasibility study despite not having what the group has described in it’s claim as ‘broad community support from the King Island community’, or the ‘King Island community social licence to operate the wind farm scheme’.
While neither party is commenting while the dispute is the subject of legal proceedings, King Island mayor Greg Barratt says No TasWind Farm Group does not represent the majority of King Islanders.
“It’s certainly the actions of a small dedicated group who are totally against the wind farm,” he said.
“It’s certainly not in the interest of the 58 per cent of people who voted in favour of the feasibility study.”
Brett Thorne is a King Island beef farmer and he was a member of the community consultative committee for the wind farm feasibility study.
He’s disappointed the group is going ahead with legal action against Hydro Tasmania.
“I think it’s a shame, I think it just drags out an issue that most of us have gone past,” he said.
Mr Thorne says while the vote taken on the Island to measure support for the feasibility study wasn’t the 60 per cent figure raised by Hydro Tasmania, more than 58 per cent in favour of the study is still a clear majority.
“There’s a clear majority of 58 per cent who are in favour of it going to feasibility, which is just the process of getting information.
“And I don’t see why anybody would have a problem with going for more information,” he said.
“I think the No Wind people should accept the fact that that is the majority, that the majority are in favour.”
While mayor Greg Barratt is concerned about the possibly divisive implications of this move, Mr Thorne is convinced the island community just wants to get on with it.
“The feeling on King Island is, we’re happy it’s gone to feasibility, and let that process play out.”
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