Wind power: how much is too much?
Jul 05, 2012
Hon David Ridgway MLC
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council
Shadow Minister for Urban Development & Planning
Wind power: how much is too much?
The Opposition is sceptical about the Government’s approval for yet another huge wind farm, this time in the mid-north.
“More than half of Australia's installed wind power is in SA. We have the nation’s highest penetration of wind power and one of the highest in the world,” Shadow Minister for Urban Development & Planning David Ridgway said.
“SA now has the world’s most expensive electricity.
“I’m chairing a parliamentary inquiry to see if there’s a connection between the number of wind turbines and enormous electricity bills.
“If our power prices are too high compared with the rest of Australia we’ll be uncompetitive for business and householders will suffer as well.
“The Opposition is also concerned that Mike Rann’s last act as Premier was to remove third-party appeal rights.
“Disenfranchised neighbouring homeowners and primary producers want to be protected from encroaching wind farms.
“Under Labor’s rushed new planning laws, huge pylons with the tips of their blades spinning near half the speed of a jet liner can be built within a kilometre of people’s homes.
“Liberals want a moratorium on new wind turbines being built closer than two kilometres from an existing dwelling without the homeowner’s consent.
“My Upper House committee will investigate separation distances between wind turbines and homes, and the social, health and economic impacts of wind generators,” Mr Ridgway said.