Baillieu's resignation opens door for wind policy shift
Leigh Ewbank
The resignation of Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu may pave the way for the repeal of anti-wind farm laws.
The Baillieu government introduced amendments to planning laws in August 2011. The measures comprised four changes that effectively ban wind farms in large swathes of the state. First, the policy establishes arbitrary 'no-go zones' for wind energy projects without undertaking any economic modeling or community consultation. Second, they establish 'no go' zones for projects within 5 kms of designated regional centres. Third, the current framework allows just one objector to stop any wind turbine within 2 kms − for any reason. And lastly, the policy designates local councils as the principle decision maker (or responsible authority) on wind farm proposals.
The combined impact of these changes makes Victoria the world's biggest wind energy NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard). The state's once lucrative pipeline of wind farm projects has been blocked and capital is fleeing interstate. Over the past 18 months, just one development application has been lodged with the department of planning, and that project is languishing in a drawn-out hearing.
Friends of the Earth research estimates Baillieu's anti-wind farm planning laws have cost $887 million in lost or stalled investment; 650 direct jobs lost or stalled in construction; 54 ongoing jobs in management of wind farms; and 1,408 indirectly associated (flow-on) jobs. The flood of investment that has flowed to the South Australian wind energy sector confirms the adverse economic consequences of the policy.
In terms of climate change action, the laws have stalled at least 408 megawatts of clean renewable energy supply coming online and prevented carbon emissions savings of up to 1.6 million tonnes each year (equivalent to taking around 465,000 passenger cars off the road per year).
Traditionally, the Liberal Party was seen as the party of business and an ally of science and progress. Ted Baillieu's leadership allowed it to become captive to a Tea Party-style culture of anti-wind energy and anti-climate science extremism.
So what are the chances of new Premier Dennis Napthine adopting a more reasonable approach to wind farm policy? Politically, the priority for any new leader is to shore up support. The new Premier is tasked with turning the government's faltering electoral fortunes around. Adopting a pro-renewables stance will allow the new leader to appeal to Victorian's who support renewable energy.
Polls show that wind energy remains highly popular, despite anti-wind hysteria. Polls commissioned by the Climate Institute and the Clean Energy Council register support for wind energy at 75% and greater. In the Clean Energy Council study, 60% of those polled viewed restrictions on wind farms as a missed opportunity to support the manufacturing sector – a finding that reveals voters see a clear link between the wind energy sector and manufacturing jobs.
Public awareness of climate change and demand for swift action will grow as more Australian weather records are broken in 2013. Australia has already seen the hottest summer on record and the need for ambitious climate change and renewable energy policies is growing.
Former Premier Ted Baillieu was ideologically committed to opposing wind energy. The Age reported the Baillieu had family connections to anti-wind farm lobbying. Dennis Napthine does not have the same ideological baggage that led to the introduction of such backward energy and planning policy.
Napthine has more pragmatic things to consider − economic benefits and jobs in his own electorate. As the local member for the South-West Coast, Napthine represents an electorate that has benefited greatly from the wind energy sector. A study by Sinclair Knight Merz estimates the Macarthur and Oaklands wind farms have pumped $67 million into the local economy, employed around 900 people during construction, and created 52 ongoing jobs. Around two-thirds of Victoria's installed wind energy capacity is in Napthine's electorate.
Whether Premier Napthine will take a leadership position and abolish the current suite of anti-wind farm laws remains to be seen, but Victoria clearly has a better chance of sensible planning and energy laws with Ted Baillieu out of the picture.
Please sign the petition calling on Premier Napthine to dump Ted Baillieu's anti-wind farm laws at http://ow.ly/iy5m3
Leigh Ewbank is the Yes 2 Renewables campaigner with Friends of the Earth, Melbourne.