Last week the Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) announced that Origin Energy's proposed Stockyard Hill wind farm could have significant impact on protected species and communities. They have therefore determined that the project be subject to "controlled action" under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC). The decision will require further environmental studies be conducted to assess the severity of impact on native species and communities protected under the EPBC Act, such as migratory birds and the critically endangered Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plains. Origin Energy will also have to determine better ways to avoid damaging such species.

This should be a big wake up call for wind farm developers who continue to assert that their projects do no environment have and continue to present substandard studies to try to back up their false claims. "DEWHA's decision validates the issues the Landscape Guardians have had regarding the irreparable environmental harm the Stockyard Hill project will have on rare and protected species in our area. We commend the Federal Government for making this decision", said spokesperson for the Western Plains Landscape Guardians and Stockyard Hill resident, Cassie Franzose.

The Landscape Guardians also hope that the State Government will now listen to their concerns and follow the Federal Government in applying proper scrutiny to material submitted by developers. Other such issues that require further scrutiny including the potential to damage an important acquifer at Stockyard Hill and the serious health impacts on residents of the low frequency noise caused by wind turbines.

Contact: Cassie Franzose
info@savethewesternplains.org.au
Ph: 5349 8234 or 0427 323 266