| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Wind Power News: Oceania
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
‘Uncertain’ environmental impact of wind farm prompts call for revision
The developer of a proposed wind farm near Mortlake is being urged back to the drawing board in a “win for environmentalists”. It comes as Planning Panels Victoria released its report on the Mount Fyans wind farm which would see a 400-megawatt, 81 turbine wind energy facility about five kilometres north of Mortlake. The panel found the level of uncertainty in terms of possible material impacts on the environment, particularly on the endangered Brolga and critically endangered Southern Bent Wing . . . Complete story »
‘Terrible’: Federal MP lambasts state government planning changes
Independent federal MP Helen Haines has condemned Victorian government planning changes she says will “silence” and “punish” rural and regional communities. The state government announced new rules in March to fast-track renewable energy projects across Victoria by channelling them into an approval program that has already rammed dozens of infrastructure projects through, over the heads of local communities. The changes will also prevent many neighbouring landholders from appealing renewable planning decisions to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). The . . . Complete story »
Federal government proposes wind farm in the middle of a whale migration route
In what is believed to be a world first, the federal government has proposed developing an offshore wind farm in the middle of a whale super highway off Western Australia’s southwest coast. Each year, tens of thousands of whales use the water in and around Geographe Bay on their annual migration to Antarctica. The bay is described as a pristine marine ecosystem off Bunbury, about 168km south of Perth, and stretches 98km along the coastline to Cape Naturaliste, between Dunsborough . . . Complete story »
‘Undermines our sovereignty’: Custodians speak out against wind farm zone
The custodians of an area of sea country marked as an offshore wind farm zone off the south-west coast say the decision has shown “disregard for our voices”. It comes as both the Gunditj Mirring and Eastern Maar Aboriginal corporations expressed their disappointment at the announcement made by Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen on March 6. In a statement, Gunditj Mirring said there’d been a “complete lack of appropriate and meaningful consultation between the commonwealth government and . . . Complete story »
Farmers, regional communities devastated but developers delighted by Victoria’s renewables fast-track
Farmers and communities objecting to massive solar or wind farms would be forced to go to the Supreme Court under a radical Victorian plan to fast track renewable projects across the state, which the energy industry wants adopted nationwide. The Allan government’s decision to accelerate the planning approval process for renewable energy projects has left regional communities deeply concerned, with the Victorian Farmers Federation condemning it as a “slap in the face after years of sham consultation”. The changes will . . . Complete story »
Southern Ocean wind zone cut to save whales, parrots
An offshore wind farm zone near western Victoria will be one-fifth of its initially drafted size to give the right of way to whales as the state races for “first wind”. One of six areas earmarked around Australia’s coast, Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen declared the finalised zone on Wednesday after consultation with local leaders, industry and community groups. The Southern Ocean zone, located 15km to 20km off Victoria’s coast near industrial Portland, will span 1030 sq . . . Complete story »
Are the wind turbines at Lake George messing with the BOM’s weather radar?
Ever checked Canberra’s weather radar on the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website and wondered why there’s always a patch of heavy rain just above Bungendore on the map? Chances are, residents in the area are actually looking up into a clear blue sky because of a phenomenon known as “false echoes”. Here’s what’s going on … But first, where is Canberra’s radar station? The primary weather radar station for Canberra is based at Captains Flat, a dish mounted to the . . . Complete story »
Wind farm approval referred to independent panel after backlash
The final decision for a proposed wind farm near Uralla has been referred to an independent panel after the proposal received push back from residents. A public meeting has been scheduled for residents and landholders to have their final say on the proposed Thunderbolt Wind Farm which is slated for construction on the New England Highway, near Kentucky. The proposed wind farm, which is located about 30 kilometres south-west of Uralla, is expected to include up to 32 turbines and . . . Complete story »
No wind farm in our backyard thanks
Yet another country town has unwillingly been enlisted to the frontline of the wind farm battle – this time it’s Molong. Like other towns faced with similar battles, the community of Molong wants the government to consider the cumulative impacts these projects have on rural communities as more projects come through the pipeline. The Molong community is rallying on Monday to voice concerns about the proposed Kerrs Creek Wind Farm project by developer, RES, which will include 63 wind towers . . . Complete story »
Dreading life among turbines
Frustration is mounting in a small Tararua community just over the hill from Palmerston North about the prospect of being surrounded by wind farms. International energy company Yinsen and its agents Aurecon have provided brief, updated plans for the Pahīatua wind farm on Makomako Rd. Although there have been changes since draft plans were first unveiled at a community drop-in session in October, resident Gareth Bestor said they simply made the situation “less worse” for some, and “more worse” for . . . Complete story »
