Windfarm debate causes a storm

Albany Advertiser
Thursday 7/9/2006, Page: 4

FEDERAL Environment Minister Ian Campbell has invited key stakeholders in the Great Southern windfarm debate to a round table discussion in Canberra.

However, an invite has not been extended to Denmark windfarm proponents, Denmark Community Windfamrm.

Windfarm opponents, South Coast Landscape Guardians, has been invited to send a representative to the meeting and Denmark Shire Council and Albany City Council have also received invitations to send a representative.

"We've had no official advice let alone an invitation, which seems fairly typical, he (Campbell) doesn't want to know what we're on about, he wants to know what the critics are on about, he's never wanted to make any contact with us," DCW chairperson Craig Chapelle said.

A spokeswoman from Senator Campbell's office said the Minister tried hard to ensure there was a fair representation at the meeting. "A number of wind energy groups have been invited, including BCSE and Auswind, who will play an important role in the meeting," she said.

"These organisations will represent the views of wind energy developers. "The round table will include groups from across Australia, broadly representing the various stakeholders and all State and Territory ministers have been invited to attend," the spokeswoman said.

Mr Chapelle said he was not convinced the representation is balanced. "If BCSE and Auswind are invited, well they're not experts in our project," he said. "He (Campbell) is not really interested in hearing from the people who support the project," he said.

Peter Mortimer from the SCLG said he asked Mr Campbell's office if the DCW would be attending the meeting. However, he was told it would be impractical to invite all windfarm proponents.

"There are a lot more proponents for windfarms in Australia than community groups against," Mr Mortimer said. "It would make it a massive logistical problem to invite all the proponents.

"A group called Auswind has been invited and it will put forward the argument for proponents of windfarms but because there isn't one big group representing community opponents of windfarms there will be a number of different groups," he said.

Mr Mortimer will be flying to Canberra on Sunday for the meeting which will be held on Monday, September 11. "It could be pretty important," said Mr Mortimer.

"It might set in place some protocol about where you put facilities, so that the people most affected by them have some input," he said. "There is a need for this round table to help empower local communities."