Vic: Nats urge fed govt to oppose wind farm

AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2006
Vic: Nats urge fed govt to oppose wind farm

MELBOURNE, Aug 5 AAP - Victoria's Nationals are pushing the federal government to maintain
its opposition to the $220 million Bald Hills wind farm project in the state's east.

Victorian Nationals (VicNats) leader Peter Ryan said the party was not against wind
farms but did not believe the Bald Hills site was appropriate.

The project opened up agricultural land for industrial purposes and would be a blight
on the landscape in a tourist area, Mr Ryan said.

"I'm not against wind farms when the local community supports them but placing these
giant turbines on prime coastal land and alongside an important wetland defies common
sense," he said.

"Bald Hills is the wrong place for a wind farm and the proponents should withdraw their
application.

"If they persist with the application I believe (Federal Environment Minister) Senator
Ian Campbell should reject the proposal."

Senator Campbell yesterday agreed to reconsider his controversial decision to block the project.

The move ends a Federal Court battle by the developer to challenge Senator Campbell's
rejection of the Bald Hills wind farm.

In April, Senator Campbell overturned state government approval for the 52-turbine
project, citing a report he had commissioned which identified a potential threat to the
endangered orange-bellied parrot.

AAP jmw/jt

KEYWORD: PARROT

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