31 March 2006 - Minister for
the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell,
has called for a national agreement that would allow
local communities to have a say in Australia's renewable
energy future.
"It is critical for the environment that we
create a future with low greenhouse gas emissions
and this means we need more power from wind and
solar," Senator Campbell said.
"Wind power is an excellent source of renewable
energy, but it is being given a bad name because
the views of local communities are often ignored
when large-scale wind farm proposals are being considered
in their area."
Senator Campbell said he had written to the States
and Territories, proposing a national code be established
to ensure local communities have a say about wind
farm developments in their areas.
NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor today echoed
these sentiments, announcing today that he would
review guidelines for wind farm approval in his
state to address community concerns:
"I think the timelines will be such that I'll
be able to review the guidelines first without having
necessarily to hold things up. But, look, it's one
of those difficult balancing acts. It's a really
difficult issue. I know communities often don't
want them, on the other hand they're a really good
thing to do environmentally."
(Frank Sartor, ABC Radio News, Canberra, 31 March
2006)
"I will write to Frank Sartor today to suggest
that he becomes my partner in building this national
code so that local councils and local communities
have a bigger say," Senator Campbell said.
"A consistent national agreement would empower
local communities and include them in the decision-making
process because they have the local knowledge about
the potential impacts on the landscape, property
values and wildlife in their area.
"We have seen an explosion of windpower in
Australia under the Australian Government's policies.
So far, wind farms with a total generating capacity
of about 900 megawatts have been installed or are
under construction. That's enough to meet the electricity
needs of about half a million Australian homes.
"It's important that wind energy is seen to
be a friend to Australia's energy future.
"The challenge of climate change demands even
more renewable energy and the principle of democracy
demands greater consultation with local communities."
