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Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 15 December 2004 MINISTER TO RULE ON LARGE SCALE WIND FARMS All large scale wind farms will be declared State Significant and assessed by the State Government, the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Mr Craig Knowles, announced today.
“Wind farms represent an important new source of clean, renewable energy,” Mr Knowles said. “This declaration allows the State to define best practice for wind farm developments.”
Wind farm proposals will be subject to the Minister’s determination if they have:
- more than 30 towers; or - an installed generating capacity of more than 60 MW; or - an installed generating capacity of more than 30 MW and the towers are in more than one council area.
“It is important that wind farms are treated consistently throughout all local government areas in the State,” Mr Knowles said.
"There is a growing interest in wind farm development in rural areas of NSW," Mr Knowles said.
“Already four wind farm proposals have been declared State Significant, and the Government is aware of at least another four major proposals that would meet State Significant criteria.
“Large scale wind farms are significant development because of their scale, the visual impact on neighbouring properties, and the need to balance impacts against broader public benefits such as reducing Greenhouse gas emissions.
“Importantly, the State Government also has a responsibility to ensure any wind farm development is of best practice, and there is consistency of assessment across the State.
“Detailed and comprehensive consultation with local government and community members is an essential aspect of the State Significant assessment process,” Mr Knowles said.
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
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