The Brumby Government must undertake further studies to determine how changes at the Bald Hills Wind Farm will affect the surrounding environment, Leader of The Nationals and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan said today.
Mr Ryan said Planning Minister Justin Madden had secretly signed a planning permit to increase the height of the farm’s turbines from 110 metres to 135 metres without following due process.
“Not only was this decision taken without any consultation with the local community, but the Minister also signed off on the planning permit before the proper studies were conducted.
“Alterations of this magnitude should never have been made without a supplementary environmental effects statement (EES).
“The government would have us believe that an increase of 25 metres in height is not an insignificant alteration to the project but the original panel report made its findings on the basis ‘the height to turbine zenith would not exceed 110 metres’.
“The revised specifications have rendered the original EES unsuitable and a new environmental review should now be undertaken as a matter of priority.”
Mr Ryan said the Brumby Government could not be trusted to manage the project in the interests of the community.
“The Minister has been negligent on two counts: he has failed his moral obligations to consult with and properly inform the community and he has failed to follow due process,” Mr Ryan said.
“The Brumby Government well knows that the Bald Hills Wind Farm has been trenchantly opposed by those who live in this beautiful area.
“The Minister has done everything possible to hide what he knew would be an unpopular decision from the public.
“At the very least, the Brumby Government has an obligation to make a copy of the planning permit publicly available.
“Gippslanders won’t forget the arrogant treatment they have received at the hands of this government.”
Media contact: Stephanie Ryan (03) 9651 8520
