Question Time

WIND FARMS

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question in relation to the impact of wind farms on high-value agricultural land.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: The South Australian rural sector was astonished last week to learn that neither the minister nor her department had been asked to provide advice in the assessment process for the Statewide Wind Farm Development Plan Amendment. This is remarkable because just one wind-driven power station on Yorke Peninsula, now awaiting government approval, will impact on about 800 square kilometres of prime cropping land. The rural community is already hearing of the looming clash between the energy industry and primary production. My questions are:

1. Has the minister taken into consideration what impact wind-driven power stations will have on farming practices or rural activities?

2. Does the department have the resources to provide advice on how wind-driven power stations would affect neighbouring grain growers and other agricultural producers?

3. Has the minister or her department ever asked the Regional Communities Consultative Council for its assessments of the impact of wind turbines on cropping land?

4. Has the minister or her department contributed to a regional impact statement about the proposed turbines, like the latest Yorke Peninsula project and, if not, why not?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:25): I thank the honourable member for his important questions. Indeed, this government has a very positive history in terms of our contribution to alternate energy supply. When we first came into government we did not have any wind power energy and now almost a third of our energy is generated at certain times by wind power. Of course, renewable energy is a very important part of clean energy for our future.

However, these matters are not without their issues and that is why this government has been committed to an extremely open and thorough process in terms of consultation around the impact of wind farms, particularly those close to agricultural land. Such considerations are underway at present and, in fact, no decision has been made at this point in time. The submissions and results of the consultation are still being considered.

However, I can assure honourable members that the quality of the information that went into that process is very thorough indeed. As I said, it was an extremely open process. It invited and encouraged local farmers, various interest groups and experts (such as aerial experts and suchlike) to give a range of very detailed evidence throughout this consultation process. I can assure honourable members that expert information has certainly been taken into consideration.

I had discussions with the RCCC and it was decided that they would do a community consultation around that and they also issued a report as part of the submission into that consultation process. I know that Peter Blacker, given that he is a farmer himself, also provided evidence.

As I said, expert advice and considerations will be made. It is most important that we are able to weigh up all of the benefits and all of the risks associated with wind farms. I made sure that any information that came into my office and any opinions that I received were forwarded on to the appropriate minister and put into that consultation process. It has been a very extensive and thorough process, and those matters are still being considered.