Campaign Diary 2012: Southwest Victoria Trip, Day 2

In September, the Yes 2 Renewables campaign joined forces with Beyond Zero Emissions to tour southwest Victoria.

The purpose of our trip was simple: Yes 2 Renewables wanted to gain a local perspective on wind farms, and update the community up about the Baillieu government’s renewable energy policies—particularly the impact anti-wind energy planning guidelines.

While day one of the southwest tour focused on public presentations and meeting community groups, on day two we found ourselves on the factory floor of a wind turbine tower manufacturer and up-close-and-personal with operating wind turbines. Continue reading “Campaign Diary 2012: Southwest Victoria Trip, Day 2”

Wind farms: Baillieu policy is still costing the state

Friends of the Earth media release, March 16 2012 Planning Minister Matthew Guy is playing a high risk strategy if he thinks he can give the go-ahead to some wind farms that were first approved by Labor, then criticise Labor for its stance on wind energy, Friends of the Earth renewable energy campaigner Ben Courtice said today. “Last year the Baillieu government implemented regressive planning laws that ban wind projects across much of the best wind resource in the state.  As a result of this law, Victoria has already lost the potential for up to $525 million investment in wind … Continue reading Wind farms: Baillieu policy is still costing the state

Minister approves Hawkesdale, Yambuk wind farms

This article is from the Warrnambool Standard. 25/2/2012 TWO controversial wind farm developments at Hawkesdale and Yambuk ha ve been approved by Planning Minister Matthew Guy after months of negotiation. Spanish proponents Union Fenosa announced yesterday that work on the two sites w ould start as early as next month, ahead of state government reforms of the renewable energy sector. More than $500 million will be pumped into the two projects, one which is located in farmland south-east of Hawkesdale and the other between Yambuk and Orford. Union Fenosa managing director Domingo Asuero said the company would provide site possession … Continue reading Minister approves Hawkesdale, Yambuk wind farms

update on costs of Victorian government wind policy

In late August, the Baillieu government implemented new planning rules which  place large sections of Victoria off-limits to wind farm developments through the creation of No Go zones, and set in place a 2 kilometre ‘right of veto’, whereby a single household can block any turbines within 2 kilometres of their home. In September, FoE released it’s initial estimate of lost and stalled investment under this policy. The figure at that point was up to $955 million investment and up to 580 direct jobs in construction, 57 on-going jobs, and 1,274 indirect jobs. This all happened within a month of … Continue reading update on costs of Victorian government wind policy

Win for $477m Hawkesdale, Port Fairy projects

This article comes from the Warrnambool Standard, journalist is Alexandra Weaver. Win for $477m Hawkesdale, Port Fairy projects TWO major south-west wind farms are to become reality after a green light from the state government. Union Fenosa Wind Australia has secured planning permit extensions for projects at Hawkesdale and Ryan Corner, about 10 kilometres north of Port Fairy. Planning Minister Matthew Guy’s decision to grant the extensions goes against the wishes of Moyne Shire Council, which agreed in August the developer should not be given more time. Early construction works on the $477 million wind farms is now due to … Continue reading Win for $477m Hawkesdale, Port Fairy projects

What is the real cost of Ted Baillieu’s wind energy policy?

In late August, the Baillieu government implemented new planning rules which  place large sections of Victoria off-limits to wind farm developments through the creation of No Go zones, and set in place a 2 kilometre ‘right of veto’, whereby a single household can block any turbines within 2 kilometres of their home. Planning Minister Matthew Guy said he did not believe the two kilometre set-back policy would stop developers investing in wind energy Victoria. Premier Ted Baillieu has also rejected suggestions the changes would harm the wind farm industry. However, the facts of the matter suggest otherwise. Already we have … Continue reading What is the real cost of Ted Baillieu’s wind energy policy?

Planning Minister “killing off $430 million worth of proposed investment”

The following comes from the Warrnambool Standard. As its notes in the article, these projects would constitute $430 million worth of investment in renewable energy infrastructure, jobs, and business opportunities. This is now potentially lost to the region. Previously, the Coalition government has said it is “powerless” to control the biggest expansion of wind energy in Victoria’s history, with 1,322 new turbines planned across 28 developments that have already received planning approval by the last state government. The Hawkesdale and Yambuk projects are amongst this list of previously approved projects. This opens the possibility of other developments being knocked back … Continue reading Planning Minister “killing off $430 million worth of proposed investment”