Critics slam policy to ban coast wind farms

Kim Waters
A sustainability group has slammed the state opposition for vowing to establish “no-go” zones for wind farms on the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula.
Geelong Sustainability Group president David Campbell labelled the policy “disappointing and negative”.
“This is disappointing given it’s the first we’ve heard of the Victorian Liberals’ policies on climate change and energy,” Mr Campbell said.
“Rather than taking a restrictive and negative approach on wind farms, the Liberals should be telling us how they’re going to meet the challenges of climate change. The need is to move to renewable energy and with positive leadership we could develop a huge potential for renewable energy and green jobs in our region.”
Opposition leader Ted Bailleu has promised to reinstate local government as the planning authority for wind farm applications, with tourist destinations ruled out for wind farm turbines.
Planning Minister Justin Madden has existing powers to approve proposals for wind farms capable of generating maximum power over 30MW.
Mr Madden described the Liberal policy as “bizarre”.
He warned that reinstating local government as the planning authority for wind farm applications would “kill-off” the industry.
“You won’t have any clear decisions being made on the merits on the project but on particular concerns at a local government level,” Mr Madden said.
“What this will do is basically hamstring the industry, deliver uncertainty to the industry, kill off the industry and kill off renewable energy.”
Liberal South Barwon candidate Andrew Katos backed his party.
“The Bellarine Peninsula and the Great Ocean Road are tourist attractions and putting wind turbines there would spoil them,” Mr Katos said.
“Under the Brumby Government there has been a lot of confusion about the process. This policy will clear up the confusion by setting clear guidelines.”
Bellarine Liberal candidate Kurt Reiter said hundreds of turbines were operating in Victoria with more than a thousand already approved or on drawing boards
“The Coalition policy will give power back to communities to decide whether wind farms can be built in areas like the Bellarine and will protect sensitive environments throughout regional Victoria with the introduction of no-go zones,” he said.