4 April 2006 - Claims that
Western Australian Labor Planning Minister Alannah
MacTiernan ignored State Planning Commission advice
by supporting a wind farm in Denmark further demonstrates
the need for a national code for locating wind
farms, Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell said today.
“The controversy over the proposed wind farm in
Denmark should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind
that Australia needs a national code for wind
farms,” Senator Campbell said.
“I’ve already written to the States and Territories
proposing a national code that will ensure local
communities have a say about wind farm developments
in their areas.
“It is critical for the environment that we create
a future with low greenhouse gas emissions and
this means we do need wind as part of Australia’s
energy mix.”
Senator Campbell said there had been an explosion
of wind power 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
- enough to meet the electricity needs of about
half a million Australian homes.
“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.
“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.”
