A parliamentary question regarding consultation processes for a town planning scheme amendment, specifically concerning a wind farm proposal and the extent of local government involvement. The Minister defends the decision-making process, citing consideration of submissions and the viability of the coastal location.

AnsweredQoN 711Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 November 2005
Portfolio
Planning and Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

I have a supplementary question. Just who did the minister consult? It certainly was not local government. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN

AnswerView source ↗

The process of a town planning scheme amendment is that I am presented with a report that lists all the submissions made in relation to the matter. I read all the submissions that were made, and I read the arguments that were put by the council. It is not simply a numbers game. It is a question of actually reading and considering the arguments. Interestingly, many of the people in that community who opposed that site said they supported the principle of a wind farm but they wanted it to be inland. At the same time, quite clear evidence was presented that there was a much higher energy efficiency on the coast. That is why wind farms, by and large, are located on the coast. Indeed, the viability of this project depended on it being on the coast. I will quote one speaker at this rally called by Mr Wilson Tuckey, that well-known greenie, and his offsider, another greenie, Senator Ian Campbell! This gentleman, Murray Thornton, who I believe is a doyen of the Liberal Party in the area, noted that the Denmark community wind farm has a very broad-based committee - not greenies etc but people from every aspect of the Denmark community, and it represents the voting pattern of Denmark that he has observed as a scrutineer over many years. There is a division in that community. I get paid to make the decisions and I am making the decision for the long-term benefit of our community.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: The process of a town planning scheme amendment is that I am presented with a report that lists all the submissions made in relation to the matter. I read all the submissions that were made, and I read the arguments that were put by the council. It is not simply a numbers game. It is a question of actually reading and considering the arguments. Interestingly, many of the people in that community who opposed that site said they supported the principle of a wind farm but they wanted it to be inland. At the same time, quite clear evidence was presented that there was a much higher energy efficiency on the coast. That is why wind farms, by and large, are located on the coast. Indeed, the viability of this project depended on it being on the coast. I will quote one speaker at this rally called by Mr Wilson Tuckey, that well-known greenie, and his offsider, another greenie, Senator Ian Campbell! This gentleman, Murray Thornton, who I believe is a doyen of the Liberal Party in the area, noted that the Denmark community wind farm has a very broad-based committee - not greenies etc but people from every aspect of the Denmark community, and it represents the voting pattern of Denmark that he has observed as a scrutineer over many years. There is a division in that community. I get paid to make the decisions and I am making the decision for the long-term benefit of our community.
The process of a town planning scheme amendment is that I am presented with a report that lists all the submissions made in relation to the matter. I read all the submissions that were made, and I read the arguments that were put by the council. It is not simply a numbers game. It is a question of actually reading and considering the arguments. Interestingly, many of the people in that community who opposed that site said they supported the principle of a wind farm but they wanted it to be inland. At the same time, quite clear evidence was presented that there was a much higher energy efficiency on the coast. That is why wind farms, by and large, are located on the coast. Indeed, the viability of this project depended on it being on the coast. I will quote one speaker at this rally called by Mr Wilson Tuckey, that well-known greenie, and his offsider, another greenie, Senator Ian Campbell! This gentleman, Murray Thornton, who I believe is a doyen of the Liberal Party in the area, noted that the Denmark community wind farm has a very broad-based committee - not greenies etc but people from every aspect of the Denmark community, and it represents the voting pattern of Denmark that he has observed as a scrutineer over many years. There is a division in that community. I get paid to make the decisions and I am making the decision for the long-term benefit of our community.
I will quote one speaker at this rally called by Mr Wilson Tuckey, that well-known greenie, and his offsider, another greenie, Senator Ian Campbell! This gentleman, Murray Thornton, who I believe is a doyen of the Liberal Party in the area, noted that the Denmark community wind farm has a very broad-based committee - not greenies etc but people from every aspect of the Denmark community, and it represents the voting pattern of Denmark that he has observed as a scrutineer over many years. There is a division in that community. I get paid to make the decisions and I am making the decision for the long-term benefit of our community.
There is a division in that community. I get paid to make the decisions and I am making the decision for the long-term benefit of our community.

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