11 September
2006 - Participants at a national roundtable on
wind energy have agreed on the need for a National
Code for Wind Energy Installations as a ‘matter
of priority’, and to form a working group to drive
its development.
Representatives of all spheres
of government, the wind energy industry, the planning
industry, community groups and non-government
organisations attended the roundtable, hosted
in Canberra today by Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell.
Senator Campbell said participants
affirmed the importance of wind power in Australia’s
energy mix, but acknowledged that concerns about
its potential impact on the landscape and the
environment must be addressed if the industry
was to enjoy broad community support.
“Wind energy installations have
grown rapidly under the 10 years of the Howard
Government – increasing from 20 turbines to more
than 650 turbines – and they will continue to
make a major contribution to Australia’s efforts
to tackle climate change,” Senator Campbell said.
“However, we need to balance
the challenge of managing climate change with
maintaining a strong economy and protecting environmental,
cultural and landscape values.
“The community must be properly
included in the planning process for new wind
energy installations to ensure that community
confidence in, and support for this important
source of power continues.”
Senator Campbell said the Code
would provide consistency, certainty and transparency
in public consultation and approval processes.
It would include guidance for
wind energy developers on engaging the community,
including minimum consultation standards; recognise
values of concern to local communities such as
wildlife preservation, landscape and amenity;
and promote and accommodate community needs in
decisions about the siting of wind energy installations.
“The concept of community consultation
and support, as it relates to the National Code,
is a practical one. It will not require every
individual community member’s agreement, but it
will focus on the need to put in place processes
to ensure that individuals, communities and stakeholder
groups play a meaningful role in decisions that
affect them.”
Senator Campbell thanked participants,
saying the industry and the community would benefit
from their work towards a National Code for Wind
Energy Installations.
Rob Broadfield
