Two Notices of Motion regarding the proposed ‘Jupiter’ Windfarm were debated at Palerang Council last week. The 110 turbine windfarm that would stretch from Tarago to Manar has been proposed by EPYC Pty Ltd.
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The debate came soon after the Member for Monaro John Barilaro calling on the NSW Government to cease consideration of wind farm developments across the state until the Federal Government has developed a response to their review of the renewable energy scheme.
Mr Barilaro said it would be irresponsible to allow proposed wind farm developments to proceed until the results of the review are handed down.
“As a principle I am opposed to new wind farm developments. Federal Government subsidies make the financial viability of these proposals artificially inflated and I am strongly opposed to tax payer funds being used to unnaturally prop up projects that lack community support and have questionable environmental benefits.
A proposal for Jupiter Wind Farm, south of Tarago, is in the early stage of the NSW Government’s State Significant Investment assessment process.
“The level of uncertainty surrounding the Jupiter Wind Farm is causing deep concern to my community” Mr Barilaro said. “I am calling on my Minister to inject some certainty into this situation, by freezing consideration on wind farm developments until the future of the sector is made apparent.”
Cr Mark Sweikert then “MOVED that Palerang Council rejects any new proposals/endorsements for the establishment of wind farms in the LGA until the following conditions are met:
1. The Federal Government report governing the Renewable Energy Target is complete and its findings known, accepted and implemented.
2. That potential wind farm developers not be in receipt of free public subsidies to develop their electricity generation business.
3. That there is a measurable reduction in the cost of electricity generation from wind farms that can be passed onto the consumer.
4. That wind farms be restricted to a 30 year life span with disposal costs independently calculated and invested (plus 10% contingency) in trust for decommissioning day.
5. That there is a documented deficiency in the nation's electricity generation supply established through the State and Federal Departments of Energy and Natural Resources (or equivalents).”
Cr Sweikert said “Council should be proactive. I’m not trying to be a modern day Don Quixote...
This is not putting wind power or wind turbines on trial but places broad policy directions about Palerang Council views on the business model of the Australian windfarming industry onto the public record.”
Cr Hogarth Boyd said “This is looking a lot like conditions of consent for a DA. I attended the community meeting on 9th in Tarago and this looks like gazumping them.”
“This is taking the power out of the communities hands and seeks to undermine the decision making process for them” she said.
Cr Graham said “what good is productivity of the landscape of our homelands is industrialised?”
The Motion was Lost with Crs Sweikert, Hicks and Graham FOR and Crs Cockram, Harrison, Marshall, and Hogarth Boyd AGAINST (Cr France did not Vote).
A second Notion of Motion brought by Cr Marshall was CARRIED “that Palerang Council write to the New South Wales Planning Minister and EPYC Ltd re-stating and endorsing the Resolutions adopted at the community meeting about the proposed Jupiter wind farm on the evening of Tuesday 18th February.”
The meeting had resolved that:
* all representatives of the local community on the consultative committee should be chosen by the community and not by any other party and there should be 7 of them;
* selection by the community to occur at a public meeting arranged jointly by the Goulburn Mulwaree and Palerang councils after full notice to everyone who may be affected by the proposed wind turbine complex;
* with the arrangement to be funded by EPYC Pty Ltd;
* this position to be conveyed to the NSW State Government, the two councils and EPYC Pty Ltd.
* the State Government ensure the community has at least 12 months to evaluate the EIS from EPYC and prepare and submit a detailed response.
* the State Government require EPYC to fund the community’s evaluation and response to EPYC’s submissions to the government.
Cr Hogarth Boyd said “this is much more in keeping with the wishes of the people here.”
