It's official.
The Baillieu Government has now made it harder to build a wind farm than a new coal mine or coal-fired power station in Victoria.
New planning regulations gazetted yesterday disallow new wind farms in whole regions of the state, and allow a single landholder to block a wind farm if they live within 2 kilometres of a proposal.
Announcing the changes in Macedon yesterday Planning Minister Matthew Guy said “We’ve put in place an outcome which will restore balance between home-owners and developers.” What he failed to mention is that the wind industry is being singled out and that Victorians have no such powers when it comes to new mining proposals or new coal-fired power stations. Residents of Morwell might be confused to discover that no wind turbines can be built within 5 kilometres of the township, while HRL is proceeding with plans to construct a new polluting and noisy coal-fired power station less than 2 kilometres from Morwell. Further highlighting the State Government's inconsistent treatment of different industries they are currently running an inquiry looking at how they can fast-track more mining and exploration state-wide, with no concern for the impacts on farming land and the environment. See Environment Victoria's submission here
With this wind farm vendetta the Baillieu Government is effectively putting up a 'closed for business' sign in Victoria' to the most mature renewable energy technology available and one of the world's fastest growing industries. South Australians must be rubbing their hands with glee. For the past 5 years they've aspired to lead the nation in wind energy, and wind now contributes 20 percent of all electricity generated in SA. No doubt they will welcome with open arms the $3 billion of investment and the thousands of regional jobs that the Baillieu Government is denying Victorians.
Comments
Frustrating delay
This ridiculous legislation from Baillieu and his myopic government will only delay the inevitable. Eventually reality will mug this antiscience, hypocritical government. Once the rest of the windfarm projects already okayed are up and running for a few years, people will discover just how harmless they are and Baillieu and his Guardian mates will have some explaining to do.
A loss for everyone
We shouldn't really be surprised that the anti-wind mafia continue to delude themselves with selective and hypocritical argument against wind energy. They consistently demonstrate their propaganda has nothing to do with genuine concern for the landscape, they forget their actions speak louder than words, they are driven primarily by self-interest and shortsightedness and will use any lie or skewing of facts to try and make a point. No matter how many times their claims are debunked with solid evidence, they just keep repeating the same falsehoods.
But then it's easy to continue misleading the public when a narrowminded government and fossil fuel money is propping the guardians up. It really would be interesting to see the convoluted links between the fossil fuel crowd, the politicians and the misnamed landscape guardians exposed for all to see.
While I'm not surprised by the selfish antics of the anti-windies, the real surprise is that a government that is supposedly free enterprise and pro-jobs is nobbling renewable energy at every turn and pushing jobs interstate. It really does make you wonder how inept and shortsighted Baillieu and his cronies are?
Fortunately the previous Labour government passed many windfarm projects, once these are up and running for a few years, everybody will see for themselves just how wilfully complicit Baillieu and the guardians have been in misleading the public, I wonder how many communities will forgive this government and the guardians for costing them local jobs, income and unnecessarily increased energy costs?
The Energy Establishment is in for a Fight!
These anti renewable policies tell us one thing- the Energy Establishment (as in dirty coal) is running scared and will try everything to cling on to the old gravy train, calling in favours from their mates (Baillieu Govt). It won't work. We, the people, can see the future and it's in the sun and wind.
We are angry, we are determined, we are right, and we will win!
Landscape Guardians
This organisation is taking a lead role in blocking wind farms: their commitment is to our beautiful landscape, yet it seems they support coal gas seam mining, and nuclear. Is there something fishy about this?
Wind Farm decision
This is not a black-and-white problem. I'm a greenie and I dont agree with massive wind farms and the associated extra transmission lines associated with them. Tiny, low impact wind turbines everywhere are the go! And they dont annoy or make you sick.
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