The following statement is attributable to Clean Energy Council Policy Director – Energy Generation & Storage, Dr Nicholas Aberle:
"It is important to emphasise that every renewable energy project in Victoria already goes through a thorough and rigorous assessment process. To suggest otherwise is just wrong.
"As part of existing assessment processes for renewables projects in Victoria, project proponents need to provide detailed studies on managing environmental impacts, visual and noise impacts, transport considerations and a wide range of other issues. Additionally, projects already need to comply with a long list of planning requirements and overlays.
The Victorian Coalition's proposal for a 2-kilometre setback for all wind turbines would take Victoria back to the restrictive approach of the Baillieu government.Dr Nicholas Aberle Clean Energy Council Policy Director - Energy Generation & Storage
"There is no need for such a measure to manage noise issues from wind turbines, as Victoria's EPA now has a comprehensive regulatory framework in place for ensuring that these impacts on homes are appropriately avoided or minimised.
"Mapping completed under there parameters shows that wind energy would be essentially out-of-bounds in Victoria, which would have serious consequences for the state maintaining a reliable electricity supply and meeting climate targets.
"John Pesutto and Peter Walsh need to urgently clarify whether they intend this setback to also apply to houses of the wind farm hosts."
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Liam Straughan
Clean Energy Council Media Officer
+61 409 470 683