Community views snubbed in Glen Innes Wind Farm decision

The State Government seemed to prefer warring with communities on wind farm developments rather than negotiating reasonable and acceptable outcomes, Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay said today.
He attacked the State Planning Minister’s decision to approve a wind farm near Glen Innes where two residences would be within 800-900 metres of the giant turbines.
Another six householders would be also be affected with their homes at 1.5 - 2 kms from the 130 metre high wind sails. Mr Torbay said he had raised the issue in Parliament 10 days ago urging the government to listen to community views.
“Today’s decision is unacceptable and flies in the face of Glen Innes Severn and Inverell Council guidelines that turbines should be at least 2kms from people’s houses,” he said. “The decision is also premature because it pre-empts the recommendations of the Upper House Committee inquiry into wind farms which is still in hearings.”
The MP said the government had missed an opportunity to generate goodwill as well as energy from windfarm developments in country areas. “I’ve not heard anyone from the local community during this entire campaign speak against wind, solar and other energy alternatives,” he said. “Like me, they understand these are necessary and desirable environmental initiatives
“However, they expect to be consulted and for their views to be considered, particularly when their local councils have made recommendations. The government will now have to spend time and tax payers money in the Land and Environment Court trying to defend these poor decisions when it could have established sound guidelines to facilitate developments and have them welcomed across regional NSW.”
Mr Torbay acknowledged a concession that one of the proposed 27 Glen Innes Wind Farm turbines had been removed because it would create “unacceptable noise and visual amenity”. He had been informed that if the government followed the 2km setback guidelines the development would be reduced to 16 turbines (considering inhabited dwellings) and 13 (if unoccupied dwellings were also considered).
“The approval does require the developers to make a $75,000 per annum community contribution and also that noise criteria, according to South Australian guidelines, must be met,” he said. “But we need a decent approval process and this is not one of them.”