The Government has introduced a planning scheme amendment to change the planning controls for wind farms in Victoria. VC78 will amend the SPPFs and all planning schemes to implement a range of planning rules that will in effect reduce the number of wind farms that can be approved in Victoria. This new controls will come into force on 15 March 2011.
'Wind Energy Guidelines' will provide the detail on where wind farms will be allowed and what proponents will need to do to get planning approval. However, these have not been released publicly and will not be released until the day the amendments come into force. The Government has not conducted any public consultation on the new guidelines. The EDO will publish a briefing note of the changes in a fortnight when the Guidelines are released.
Its becoming easier to dig a mine than put up wind energy
- Wind farms are the only form of development where everybody within 2kms has a veto over development (Imagine our citys with that sought of rule)
- No such privelages are given when coal mines are being put in place.
Wind energy provides real savings
A recent article in climate spectator that highlights how introduction of wind energy into the grid has reduced the costs of whole sale electrictity by more than the costs of the REC's
http://www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/why-wind-cutting-energy-costs
