AGL’s Dollar wind farm in political doldrums

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Victorian Planning Minister Rob Hulls, who attacked Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell for waiting 450 days before blocking the Bald Hills wind farm, has delayed approval of the Dollar wind farm for the same amount of time, reported The Australian (12 August 2006, p.2).

Politically sensitive site: Both projects are in the Gippsland-based federal seat of McMillan, held by Liberal backbencher Russell Broadbent. The Bald Hills wind farm, blocked over the perceived threat to the orange-bellied parrot, is being reconsidered by Senator Campbell.

"Unprecedented community division": Victorian Nationals leader Peter Ryan, whose state seat covers the proposed Dollar wind farm site, said the project had created unprecedented community division. The 48-turbine Dollar wind farm was submitted for approval in June 2003. A State Government planning panel completed its work in May last year but Mr Hulls has yet to decide whether to give it planning approval.

Naroghid gets up: Mr Hulls yesterday announced approval of a 21-turbine wind farm at Naroghid, near Cobden, in Victoria’s southwest.

AGL project draws 1500 objections: About 1500 objections have been lodged against the Dollar proposal. There are 126 houses within 2.5km of the site. Project developer AGL said it was one of a number of wind hydro and gas-fired power plants the company had under consideration across four states.

The Australian, 12/8/2006, p. 2

Source: Erisk Net  

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