13 November 2002

Greens Suspend Moratorium on Wind farms

The Greens called off their moratorium on wind farms today, citing the fact that sufficient attention had been attracted to the Victorian Government's planning guidelines for the development of wind energy facilities.
The Greens believe that there is now a need for balancing climate protection using renewable energy and the appropriate and sensitive development of projects in Victoria.

Chris Mardon, Victorian Greens energy spokesperson, cited the lack of federal and state support for renewable energy as restricting project developers to just a handful of economically viable sites in Victoria. " If there were better incentives and a bigger renewable energy market, more options would be available both on and off the coast. More options for siting also means more options for environmentally sensitive developments."

The Victorian Greens spokesman said that they now dissociate themselves from Coastal Guardians Victoria and their call for a moratorium on all wind energy developments.

The Greens are committed to the environmentally sensitive development of renewable energy and propose that a minimum increase of 10% in electricity from new renewable sources by 2010.. They also want the Vic state guidelines to improve due process for consideration of environmental effects, effects on wildlife, community consultation and local government involvement in the approval of all proposals for wind farms, not just those less than 30 MW.

Given the urgency and importance of climate protection, the state government may need to be involved in the approval of large projects, but not without the full participation of local government and the people actually affected by the development. Since wind turbines can be as large as 100 metres, and some wind farms can have up to 80 wind turbines in one place, appropriate guidelines are important for both the industry and its stakeholders For example, guidelines must ensure gaps between adjacent wind farms to act as wildlife corridors, and they should be at least 500 metres from the nearest neighbouring household to minimise the impact of noise from the turbines.

It is expected that the government will now consult more widely with the wind energy industry, residents living near proposed wind farms and other stakeholders, and improve the guidelines.

"It is hypocritical of the government to be simultaneously promoting the development of brown coal projects, the emissions from which will swamp any emission savings from wind energy," said Australian Greens candidate for Macedon, Mr Marcus Ward.
Wind energy and other forms of renewable energy should be developed in the context of a sustainable energy policy aimed at real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information: Chris Mardon 9528 4371
Vic Greens Energy Spokesperson

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