Wind Power News: Australia
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.
Killing koalas to save wind farms?
Protecting koalas’ has been the favourite mantra invoked by Green groups and local councils to prevent basic services being built. Roads. Dams. Farm sheds. They are all killed off in case they upset fluffy tree bears. ‘Environmentalists’ used to wander down our dirt road and pluck unsuspecting koalas out of the trees to ‘protect’ them in conservation concentration camps. The koalas never seemed to be too pleased by the welfare checks. Mostly, they used to sit in the middle of . . . Complete story »
“Wrong project, wrong place”: Plans dumped for controversial Tasmania wind farm
Renewables developer Ark Energy has dumped plans to build a 50MW wind farm in north-western Tasmania, saying it will focus instead on its portfolio of larger projects, including another three wind farms proposed for the island state. Ark confirmed on Friday that it had “made the difficult decision” to cease development of the Western Plains wind farm – the smallest project it its Australian development portfolio at 50.4MW – and withdraw it from the planning process. “With a growing national . . . Complete story »
Rally against wind farm generates major public support
Hundreds of surfers have paddled out into the turquoise seas off the NSW south coast to create a giant ring of solidarity in opposition to a wind farm the government wants to build 10 kilometres offshore. Thousands more people covered the grassy surrounds of Wollongong Head Lighthouse at Flagstaff Point on Sunday to rally against the proposal some have dubbed an “environmental diaster waiting to happen”. About 25,000 flyers promoting the rally were handed out by members of the Coalition . . . Complete story »
Coastal wind farms: This Sunday, the people say ‘no’ again
When the first coastal wind farms were announced by Energy Minister Chris Bowen, I thought I was dreaming. Australia has some of the best beaches in the world. People come to this country to see its unspoilt natural beauty. Despite a 42 per cent decline following the lockdowns, tourism remains Australia’s 14th-largest export industry. Along with education, it is one of the most sustainable industries that contributes to our standard of living. Nobody wants to come to Australia to see . . . Complete story »
Western Plains wind farm at Stanley taken off table
Ark Energy’s controversial Western Plains wind farm proposal for Stanley appears to be dead in the water. Circular Head Council Mayor Gerard Blizzard has confirmed the council had received notification that the energy company had rescinded its application to Tasmania’s Environment Protection Authority to approve the management plan for the project. Ark Energy had planned to build up to 12 turbines at Western Plains which is just north west of Stanley near the historic Highfield House attraction. The property, four . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine fears for Oberon landscape
The idyllic region of Oberon – home to prime agriculture land – is surrounded by wilderness, pine forests and pristine waterways. But locals fear their landscape and the economic, environmental and social fabric of their community is being threatened at the expense of renewable energy. They are concerned hundreds of wind turbines will be erected in state forests right next to farm land without community consultation and communication. In 2021, the former NSW coalition government changed legislation to allow parcels . . . Complete story »
Dr Gillespie recently joined close to 2000 people, and addressed an anti-wind farm rally in Port Stephens
Wind farms are not the solution for retiring baseload generators, Member for Lyne, David Gillespie claims. Sharing his opposition to a proposed offshore windfarm in Port Stephens, Dr Gillespie said they would increase grid instability, destroy the environment and result in an increase in electricity costs. He said this trillion dollar-plus energy plan was something the country could not afford. Dr Gillespie recently joined close to 2000 people, and addressed an anti-wind farm rally in Port Stephens. “I can assure . . . Complete story »
Gillespie calls for Labor to abandon Offshore Wind Farm
Federal Nationals Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie has addressed Parliament, speaking out against the Offshore Wind farm proposed off the coast of his electorate. In July the federal government declared a wind farm zone covering more than 1800 square kilometres from Swansea in the south to Port Stephens in the north Dr Gillespie recently attended and addressed an anti-wind farm rally in Port Stephens attended by nearly 2,000 people. “This trillion dollar-plus energy plan by Labor, Greens and Teal . . . Complete story »
Supporters and opponents clash at fiery Thirroul wind farm forum
One man fears there will be no sunrise because wind turbines will be three times higher than the sun at the horizon, while another worries he will no longer be able to paraglide from Bald Hill. Others fear their coastal views will be affected, property prices will plummet and residents will need “billions of dollars” in compensation for the cost of their houses if wind farms are built off the Illawarra. Fears, insults and opinions were shouted across a packed . . . Complete story »
Illawarra environmental groups back offshore wind plans
Reading opposition to offshore wind turbines commonly referring to environmental impacts left lifelong environmentalist Rowan Huxtable scratching his head. The member of the Wollongong Climate Action Network notes there may be some local environmental impacts from offshore wind turbines off the Illawarra coast, but says there is a much bigger issue that outweighs many of those concerns. “There are possibly unknown environmental impacts of this, but we’ve got a really big, internationally agreed environmental catastrophe coming up, unless we get . . . Complete story »
