Government blamed for blade factory closure

Border Watch
Friday 24/8/2007 Page: 5

Wattle Range Council chief executive officer Frank Brennan has pointed the finger at the Federal Government for the closure of the Vestas blade manufacturing facility in Portland. Vestas claimed in a press release issued this week the wind energy market conditions in Australia was the reason for its shut down and Mr Brennan said the government's Mandatable Renewable Energy Target (MRET) was to blame.

The council CEO told The Border Watch yesterday the Vestas closure was "reflective of the current hiatus in the windfarm industry" and the Federal Government's "ongoing reluctance to increase MRET targets that would provide a much needed boost to the renewable energy industry". "The Limestone Coast region can certainly accommodate additional windfarm development along the coast from Lake Bonney to Cape Jaffa, however, there is a need for the Commonwealth Government to create the environment to facilitate this development," Mr Brennan said.

"Council certainly regrets the closure of the Vestas wind blade factory at Portland as it provided an economic advantage and benefit to the ongoing development of windfarms in our region. "The loss of employment in the Greater Green Triangle region is also regrettable." Wattle Range Council has been unwavering in its support for the windfarm projects at Lake Bonney, even offering to assist Vestas in facilitating its factory. Although council did not offer financial incentives, it offered to find suitable land for the site, making the closure of the factory even closer to heart for the Local Government body.