SA Libs move on wind farms

www.skynews.com.au
6 Jan 2012

The South Australian opposition has backed more wind farm development but doesn't want the turbines close to homes. Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond said a future Liberal government would ban new wind turbines being located within two km of existing homes. She said her government would also protect nearby landowners from economic losses caused by restrictions on aerial spraying and crop-dusting and would help develop national guidelines on wind farm locations and noise emissions.

'The South Australian Liberals believe wind farms must not be approved on sites where they create negative economic and social effects,' Ms Redmond said. 'We will protect residents by banning new wind turbines from being built closer than two km from an existing home. 'We have more wind generation of any other state, with more than half of Australia's installed wind power in SA and it is time we started looking after the communities that live near wind farms.'

The policy puts it at odds with the state government which last year unveiled a renewable energy plan it said would unlock more investment in the sector. Under the plan, no wind turbines will be allowed within one km of any home, unless both the home owner and the developer agree to a shorter distance. Local councils will also become the key authority for assessing planning applications for new wind farms.

'These policies and the processes for implementing them will skew investment away from populated areas, while giving greater certainty and consistency to wind farm investors,' Urban Development Minister John Rau said at the time. So far about $2.8 billion has been invested in wind power in South Australia, creating more than 3000 direct and indirect jobs.

Wind power now accounts for 21% of all electricity generated across the state, compared to just one% in 2004. The government said a further $1.8 billion in wind farm investment was on hold, waiting for the release of the government's revised renewable energy guidelines. The Clean Energy Council said the government's changes would encourage a closer working relationship between the wind industry, local councils and regional communities.