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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-03-19 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

WIND FARMS

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:40): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Wind energy is one of our most cost-effective forms of renewable energy and plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Every megawatt hour of wind energy cuts about one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions. Apart from the environmental benefits, wind farms also bring in vital investment to our state. According to the Clean Energy Council, South Australia has attracted almost $3 billion in capital investment, which has translated to 842 direct jobs and 2,526 total jobs.

This investment creates economic activity and jobs in rural and regional areas and the development of South Australia's skills and expertise. In addition to the direct employment generated by the construction and operation of a wind farm, there are flow-on effects to the wider community. Local retail and services benefit from the increased economic activity near wind farms, and it is estimated that an additional two indirect jobs are created for every direct construction and maintenance job.

It is important that policy on wind farms strikes the right balance between listening to the community's concerns and supporting this important industry. This government has created an investment-friendly environment for wind farm development through an efficient and transparent planning regime, but over the last two weeks I have been approached by a number of industry stakeholders who are genuinely concerned about the impact non-evidence based policy proposals are having on the investment environment for renewable energy projects in South Australia.

Just last week, we saw the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, the Clean Energy Council and the Energy Supply Association of Australia come together saying that kneejerk policies are undermining the development of energy projects, including renewable energy projects, putting at risk jobs and economic growth.

The government remains committed to providing ample opportunity for investment in wind energy in South Australia, while listening to community concerns. Renewable energy, like all electricity infrastructure, is a long-term investment which requires stable policy. By changing the goalposts, we risk losing billions of dollars of investment in South Australia, along with the thousands of jobs that go with it. Imposing a moratorium on wind farm development would put substantial investment at great risk. South Australia cannot afford poorly thought-out policy proposals that put at risk the health of the environment, as well as the health of our economy.

For this reason I intend to suspend standing orders tomorrow at 11am to allow the debate on the value of the wind industry to the state and associated issues. Bipartisan support for the motion, I will move, will give certainty needed by wind energy industry investors and reinforce South Australia as a leading investment destination for renewable energy projects.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Arising from that ministerial statement, I call the Minister for Transport to order, also the leader, deputy leader and the member for Morialta. Deputy Premier.

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