Wind farm court threat

Mirror
Wednesday 13/12/2006 Page: 3

A COURT battle is in the offing over the proposed Bald Hills wind farm at Tarwin.

Wind farm proponents Wind Power Pty Ltd. last week wrote to Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell warning they would take the Government to court again unless they received a decision on their proposal by this Friday.

"By then we would have been waiting 30 days. We think he has all the information to make a decision," said Wind Power spokesperson Andrew Newbold. "We're of the view that there are compelling arguments to build the wind farm. We wouldn't have gone to all this trouble if we didn't feel so strongly."

Senator Campbell rejected the Bald Hills wind farm proposal in April, saying that it proposed a threat to the endangered Orange-bellied parrot, despite advice to the contrary from his department. Following a Federal Court appeal from the developers, Senator Campbell is now reconsidering that decision.

Mr Newbold said that if Senator Campbell accepted their proposal construction of the wind farm could begin as early as the next 12 to 18 months, depending on the manufacturer.