Push for unified wind farm code [April 01, 2006]

NATIONAL guidelines on the placement of wind farms are set to be negotiated between the federal and states governments.

The guidelines will have a major effect on the growing wind farm industry which is investing $3 billion during the next few years.

The move for tighter controls, which is strongly promoted by federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell, has received new impetus from the NSW Government's announcement it will develop rules to assess wind farm applications.

Planning Minister Frank Sartor demanded new guidelines after residents of the township of Bungendore, between Canberra and the coast, raised concerns about a plan for 60 wind turbines around Lake George.

Mr Sartor said it could take some months to review the process and develop new guidelines but that did not mean there would be a moratorium on wind farm applications.









He said siting wind farms was "a really difficult issue".

"I know communities often don't want them but on the other hand they're a really good thing to do environmentally."

Senator Campbell, who is facing legal action from the proponents of the Bald Hills wind farm at Cape Otway in south Gippsland, believes there should be national guidelines rather than each state developing its own rules.

The Bald Hills project was opposed by local residents because of its impact on the scenic beauty of the area and its possible effect on migratory birds.

The minister has the power to reject major projects under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Senator Campbell is also locked in controversy about a proposed wind farm at Denmark in Western Australia's southwest which has split the local community which nominally supports green projects.

The minister said yesterday it was important that national guidelines be developed to 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," he said. "Wind power is an excellent source of renewable energy but it is being given a bad name because local communities are often ignored when large-scale wind farm proposals are being considered in their areas."



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