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Residents celebrate Port Pirie council decision to oppose energy park development
Credit: Patrick Martin | The Flinders News | 25 May 2017 | www.theflindersnews.com.au ~~
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As the battle to stop a windfarm and energy park development in the Southern Flinders intensifies, concerned residents of Beetaloo Valley and Crystal Brook have a new ally in Port Pirie Regional Council.
The proposed plan by Neoen Energy hit another hurdle on Wednesday night, as PPRC voted to “actively oppose” the plan in line with their development policy for the zone.
The energy park would see 16 wind farm towers installed at the southern beginnings of the Flinders Ranges around Crystal Brook and Beetaloo Valley. Plans also include the installation of a solar farm and battery storage units west of the ranges.
The area proposed for many of the wind farm towers sits in council’s Ranges Zone as identified in the municipality’s 2013 Development Plan. This plan states that this zone should be protected from developments which impact the “scenic amenity of the area”.
Beetaloo Valley resident Jim Spry said if the development goes ahead the whole region will feel the impact.
“You can’t save the environment by destroying us,” Jim said.
“You will see the turbines from Port Pirie. You can see them from the moon, quite frankly.”
During debate on the move, Cr Dino Gadaleta questioned council’s development and regulation director, Grant McKenzie, about how the council planned to “actively oppose” the proposal.
Mr McKenzie said that while the final decision on the proposal did not rest with council, direct correspondence expressing council’s opposition to the plan would be made to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and Independent Member for Frome Geoff Brock.
Cr Debbie Devlin said that a “dangerous precedent” could be set for the Southern Flinders if the Crystal Brook Energy Park proposal is fulfilled.
“It is important to understand that the council is not against wind farms or renewable energy – we have both in our region already,” Cr Devlin said.
“But it is important that we stand up strongly to our Development Plan.”
Concerned Beetaloo Valley resident John Birrell attended the council meeting and was happy with council’s resolution to oppose the development.
“It confirms what we have been telling Neoen ever since they first met with us in February,” John said.
“Their proposal is contrary to both council’s development plan and the state-wide wind farm development plan.
“We hope this decision will make them rethink.”
Mr Birrell said that “only time will tell” if council measures would make a a difference.
“It is the Planning Minister John Rau who makes the final decision … the council can only influence the Development Assessment Commission, as can we as citizens,” he said.
Beetaloo Valley Association member Ian Peterson agreed with Mr Birrell’s sentiments.
“We hope the government will respect the zoning by the council and it is the people of the state who own the zone and the Flinders Ranges,” he said.
“It is a win and we have an additional ally in supporting our position.”
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