Ministerial Statement

MAJOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENTS

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:31): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement in relation to the proposed Stansbury marina and the Myponga/Sellicks Hill wind farm major developments.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: In the last session of parliament, questions were raised in relation to two proposed major developments, being the Stansbury marina and the Myponga/Sellicks Hill wind farm. In response to these questions, I can provide updates relating to the assessment of both these developments.

The proposal by the Stansbury Marina Development Company proposes the construction of a multicomponent commercial/recreational marina facility and associated waterfront residential development on land located to the north of the township of Stansbury. Presently, further assessment of the Stansbury marina development has been halted by the government. I have written to the proponents asking them to provide cause within three weeks as to why I should not advise the Governor to give this project an early no.

The quality of the EIS received from the proponents of the Stansbury marina project was considered unsatisfactory and did not warrant public consultation. This view was formed after advice from the Department of Planning and Local Government, in consultation with the Environment Protection Authority. The response to these issues from the proponents will form the basis of a submission recommending whether I should advise the Governor to give this project an early no.

In relation to the Myponga/Sellicks Hill wind farm, the state government has written to the proponent rejecting subsequent requests to vary the nature of the approval. To remind members, TrustPower had sought permission to reduce the number of turbines to 16 and to increase the size of the turbines and their height from 100 metres to 110 metres, which was not part of the initial consultation process with the community.

The TrustPower project, comprising 20 x 100 metre high wind turbines, was approved in November 2003 after a thorough assessment using the major development process. Additionally, the original declaration of the Myponga/Sellicks Hill wind farm as a major development in 2002 predated the adoption of a statewide planning policy for wind farms.

Although the government strongly supports wind farms as a source of renewable energy, it has decided that, after six years of delays, it is no longer appropriate to further vary the development approval to such a large extent. TrustPower can either proceed with the approved 20-turbine proposal before 26 September 2010, as authorised by the Governor, or lodge a new development application with the Yankalilla district council.