WINDFARM - Letter to the Editor

September 22nd, 2003

The Editor,

So the Bracks Government has finally conceded that windfarm developments have an impact on the scenic beauty of our coastline. The Parliament was told last week that the Great Ocean Road and other coastal areas of "high tourist value" would be protected from windfarms. During Question Time in Parliament, I asked the Minister for Energy Industries just how such protection was to be achieved, only to be told that the existing windfarm planning guidelines would achieve that end! The planning guidelines have not stopped any windfarm proposals to date and are unlikely ever to do so.

I also asked the Minister "What areas of the Victorian coast do not have high tourist values?" The Minister's answer was typically vague but seemed to indicate that the Great Ocean Road was the only coastal area of high tourist value.

Unlike the Bracks Government, I believe our entire coastline needs to be protected from the industrial development of wind power stations. But then again if the Government think we should all embrace wind energy, then I look forward to wind turbines being erected all along the coast from Portsea right around to Queenscliff.
If it is good enough for Welshpool to have wind turbines then its good enough for Williamstown, hey Premier?

Yours sincerely,

PETER HALL MLC
MEMBER FOR GIPPSLAND PROVINCE
VIC NATS ENVIRONMENT & RESOURCES SPOKESMAN