Wind farm laws to cost Victoria millions

Ben Courtice
Naarm/Melbourne
September 23, 2011
Issue 
897
News
Cape Bridgewater wind farm, Victoria. Photo: Dave Clarke/melbourne.foe.org.au

A report released on September 24 by Friends of the Earth has revealed that the new Victorian planning laws restricting wind farms are costing the state dearly in jobs and investment.

Cam Walker, campaigns co-ordinator at Friends of the Earth Melbourne, said: “In a little more than three weeks, we have already seen lost or stalled investments to the order of $955 million, and around 630 direct jobs in construction and on-going management of wind projects. When indirect job creation is factored in, the lost and stalled job opportunities are close to 1,900.

“This figure comes from projects already knocked back, abandoned, or ruled out under the Coalitions arbitrary No Go zones. Two major projects in western Victoria are awaiting a ministerial decision on whether their planning permits will be extended”.

Friends of the Earth is organising a round of lunchtime street protests on September 29 in Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.

The protests are calling to "save wind and solar power" for "clean energy, jobs and regional communities". Rally at 12:30pm in the following locations:
· Ballarat: Alfred Deakin Place, Camp Street
· Bendigo: Level 1 56-60 King Street Bendigo
· Geelong: 152 High St, Belmont
· Melbourne: Parliament House, Spring St

[For more details visit www.yes2renewables.org ]

Climate crisis
Australia

Comments

Anonymous replied on

If people dont want windfarms on their property or in their area they should have the right to object Good on the victorian govt for standing up for peoples right to say no..

Anonymous replied on

So why don't people have the right to say no to a new coal fired power station, or coal seam gas wells on their property? This is about trying to stop wind power getting built, and the government shouldn't be congratulated on that.

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