Independent advice vital

Cooma Monaro Express
29/08/2006 Page: 4

ERWIN Jackson, an expert on climate change at the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF). stressed that climate change was becoming a serious global problem and that Australia needed to start addressing the issue by reducing its green house gas emmissions by embracing renewable energy.

Mr Jackson said the ACF supported windfarms but would not comment whether or not the Cooma-Monaro region should have them or not.

"It's absolutely critical that communities discuss any renewable energy development and I thought this forum was a good opportunity to do that." Mr Jackson said.

"If there is going to be a windfarm proposal in this part of the world I would be encouraging people to go and look at the positive experiences other communities have had with them in terms of making sure that the developments have happened in an appropriate way.

"I think its just important for this community to get independent and balanced information so it can make good judgments about what future it wishes to have in regards to wind arms. The danger is that it may not happen because it won't get that balanced and independent advice."