DENMARK WIND FARM DRANA SHOWS NEED FOR NATIONAL CODE

4 April 2006 - Claims that Western Australian Labor Planning Minister Alannah MacTiernan ignored State Planning Commission advice by supporting a wind farm in Denmark further demonstrates the need for a national code for locating wind farms, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell said today.
“The controversy over the proposed wind farm in Denmark should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that Australia needs a national code for wind farms,” Senator Campbell said.
“I’ve already written to the States and Territories proposing a national code that will ensure local communities have a say about wind farm developments in their areas.
“It is critical for the environment that we create a future with low greenhouse gas emissions and this means we do need wind as part of Australia’s energy mix.”
Senator Campbell said there had been an explosion of wind power in Australia under the Australian Government’s policies. So far, wind farms with a total generating capacity of about 900 megawatts have been installed or are under construction - enough to meet the electricity needs of about half a million Australian homes.
“Wind power is an excellent source of renewable energy, but it is being given a bad name because the views of local communities are often ignored when large-scale wind farm proposals are being considered in their area,” Senator Campbell said.
“A consistent national agreement would empower local communities and include them in the decision-making process because they have the local knowledge about the potential impacts on the landscape, property values and wildlife in their area.”