Blowing with the wind

Age
Tuesday 14/10/2008 Page: 2

THE biggest wind farm in Victoria is a step closer after Planning Minister Justin Madden ruled that plans to build a 282-turbine project west of Ballarat required no Environmental Effects Statement (EES).

But Mr Madden told the proponents to conduct further work on the wind farm's impact on flocks of Brolga, a large local bird. Mr Madden's decision to waive the EES requirements angered a local protest group, which said it was another example of country Victorians being ignored.