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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-09-18 Daily Xml
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Wind Farms

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Treasurer representing the Minister For Planning.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: French company Neoen currently has a development application before the state government that includes a proposal to build a significant wind farm near Crystal Brook, a Mid North township recognised as the southern-most point of our world-renowned Flinders Ranges. Each of the 26 wind turbines would stand 240 metres high—the highest ever built in the state and double that of many of the existing turbines in South Australia.

Each turbine will have an output of just under five megawatts, again around double that of most existing wind farm developments. The proposed wind farm is situated only three kilometres from Crystal Brook township, and a lot closer to nearby rural living properties. Current laws permit a wind farm to be built one kilometre from a property without the owners' consent, and two kilometres from a town. However, the Liberals have a long-standing policy to protect residents by banning new wind turbines near the properties without their consent. I quote the Hon. David Ridgway in a letter sent to his constituents in relation to a select committee on wind farms that was established at his request, where he said:

Liberals believe wind farms must not be approved on sites where they create negative economic and social impacts. We will protect residents by banning new wind turbines being built closer than two kilometres from an existing dwelling without the home owners' consent, and five kilometres from any town or settlement.

My questions to the minister are:

1. Will he ensure that his government's policy is enacted as a matter of urgency before any new wind turbines, including Neoen's proposed project at Crystal Brook, are approved or constructed?

2. Will he take immediate action to halt, delay or suspend Neoen's development application pending its policy coming into force?

3. When is that expected to occur?

4. Does the minister have concerns that a wind farm being built so close to our world-renowned Flinders Ranges might negativity impact its global reputation and appeal?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:07): I will take the honourable member's question on notice and bring back a reply.

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