❓ A parliamentary question regarding the rezoning of Wilson Head for a wind farm, despite local government opposition. The Minister defends the decision, citing the need for renewable energy and a similar situation under a previous Liberal government.
AnsweredQoN 710Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
A document produced by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet entitled “Consulting Citizens: Planning for Success” contains a foreword written by the Premier, which states, in part - Community engagement is essential to engaging Western Australians, in strengthening local communities, and connecting citizens with a shared vision for the state. It provides one of the most effective mechanisms through which we can build trust, respect, and confidence, both in democratic processes and in the future. Given the Premier’s very clear position on consulting with the public, why did the minister decide to progress the rezoning of Wilson Head in Denmark to make way for a wind farm, despite the duly elected local government representatives recommending against this site on the basis of their judgment of community opinion? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for that question. I note with some interest that in 2000 a proposal was before the Liberal government of the day about a wind farm in Albany. I read the number of submissions for and against. The council received 122 submissions: 27 in support and 89 in opposition. Indeed, around another 300 signatures on a petition also opposed the development of a wind farm in Albany. Nevertheless, the minister of the day supported the decision to proceed with a wind farm in Albany. The structure of our town planning - Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : Where was it located? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for that question. I note with some interest that in 2000 a proposal was before the Liberal government of the day about a wind farm in Albany. I read the number of submissions for and against. The council received 122 submissions: 27 in support and 89 in opposition. Indeed, around another 300 signatures on a petition also opposed the development of a wind farm in Albany. Nevertheless, the minister of the day supported the decision to proceed with a wind farm in Albany. The structure of our town planning - Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : Where was it located? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
The SPEAKER : Order! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for that question. I note with some interest that in 2000 a proposal was before the Liberal government of the day about a wind farm in Albany. I read the number of submissions for and against. The council received 122 submissions: 27 in support and 89 in opposition. Indeed, around another 300 signatures on a petition also opposed the development of a wind farm in Albany. Nevertheless, the minister of the day supported the decision to proceed with a wind farm in Albany. The structure of our town planning - Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : Where was it located? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for that question. I note with some interest that in 2000 a proposal was before the Liberal government of the day about a wind farm in Albany. I read the number of submissions for and against. The council received 122 submissions: 27 in support and 89 in opposition. Indeed, around another 300 signatures on a petition also opposed the development of a wind farm in Albany. Nevertheless, the minister of the day supported the decision to proceed with a wind farm in Albany. The structure of our town planning - Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : Where was it located? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
I thank the member for that question. I note with some interest that in 2000 a proposal was before the Liberal government of the day about a wind farm in Albany. I read the number of submissions for and against. The council received 122 submissions: 27 in support and 89 in opposition. Indeed, around another 300 signatures on a petition also opposed the development of a wind farm in Albany. Nevertheless, the minister of the day supported the decision to proceed with a wind farm in Albany. The structure of our town planning - Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : Where was it located? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : Where was it located? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for that question. I note with some interest that in 2000 a proposal was before the Liberal government of the day about a wind farm in Albany. I read the number of submissions for and against. The council received 122 submissions: 27 in support and 89 in opposition. Indeed, around another 300 signatures on a petition also opposed the development of a wind farm in Albany. Nevertheless, the minister of the day supported the decision to proceed with a wind farm in Albany. The structure of our town planning - Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : Where was it located? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
The SPEAKER : Order! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for that question. I note with some interest that in 2000 a proposal was before the Liberal government of the day about a wind farm in Albany. I read the number of submissions for and against. The council received 122 submissions: 27 in support and 89 in opposition. Indeed, around another 300 signatures on a petition also opposed the development of a wind farm in Albany. Nevertheless, the minister of the day supported the decision to proceed with a wind farm in Albany. The structure of our town planning - Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : Where was it located? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for that question. I note with some interest that in 2000 a proposal was before the Liberal government of the day about a wind farm in Albany. I read the number of submissions for and against. The council received 122 submissions: 27 in support and 89 in opposition. Indeed, around another 300 signatures on a petition also opposed the development of a wind farm in Albany. Nevertheless, the minister of the day supported the decision to proceed with a wind farm in Albany. The structure of our town planning - Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : Where was it located? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
I thank the member for that question. I note with some interest that in 2000 a proposal was before the Liberal government of the day about a wind farm in Albany. I read the number of submissions for and against. The council received 122 submissions: 27 in support and 89 in opposition. Indeed, around another 300 signatures on a petition also opposed the development of a wind farm in Albany. Nevertheless, the minister of the day supported the decision to proceed with a wind farm in Albany. The structure of our town planning - Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : Where was it located? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : Where was it located? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Carine! Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Where the wind was blowing. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : It was located where the wind was blowing. That is a very significant point. Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Ms K. Hodson - Thomas interjected. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I do not know whether the member for Carine, who I believe accompanied Senator Campbell to Denmark yesterday, has seen the wind farm at Albany. I have walked around that wind farm with my good friend the member for Albany and it is near magnificent countryside on the Bibbulmun Track. It has become a great asset for the community of Albany. Of course, it has caused a greater degree of division of opinion indeed than has occurred in Denmark. It is true that we go through consultation processes. This proposal was advertised and there was a great deal of community debate about it. However, at the end of the day, a decision had to be made. The legislation gives me the responsibility for making that decision. I am quite clear that we considered the substance of arguments for and against. I read each submission that was presented and, at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that the merits of the argument favoured going forward with a wind farm. It is all very well to pontificate about moving to renewable energy and to doing something about greenhouse gas emissions. However, every time we come up against a hard decision, people back away. That is what we are finding with this so-called Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, who is now, strangely, talking about taking from the community group the money it was given to progress the wind farm. I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
I point out the position taken by the federal Liberal government on nuclear energy. The commonwealth government made the decision. Mr Nelson said that the commonwealth government could not take into account the fact that the Northern Territory government was opposed to it; the commonwealth government had to act in the interests of all Australians. I had to listen to the arguments of the community. The community did not speak with one voice, but I had to make a decision that was ultimately for the benefit of all Western Australians.
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