Page 2692 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 16 September 2014
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And while the argument on the cost of renewable energy is one that we will continue to have, it is with this argument aside that we can still see the simple wrong here. It seems to be a case of out of sight, out of mind: put these wind turbines, these industrial wind turbines, out of the ACT and affect the rural villages; we want all the benefits without any of the bad; we want the bragging rights without losing the votes of ACT residents. The people whom this affects are not ACT residents and they cannot express their dissatisfaction with this government decision on polling day like other ACT residents can.
Each of these communities is concerned about the same things. They are concerned about the visual amenity, the land values and the overall lifestyle. While they support renewable energy, they are usually taking steps themselves for sustainable energy. The general view in these communities is that the ACT government are dumping their rubbish—that is, the consequences of their renewable energy policy—onto our neighbours in the close rural surrounds. I stand here to support their concerns raised today. I seek leave to table two additional documents.
Leave granted.
MS LAWDER: I table the following papers:
Wind turbines for the ACT—Location—Copy of signatories to petition.
Yass Valley Wind Farm—Community Survey, dated April 2013.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Capital Metro), by leave: I acknowledge the presence in the gallery this morning of many residents of Collector and other parts of the broader region and their local representative, and I thank them for their attendance here today.
The first thing I would say today is that the government will very clearly have regard to all representations that are made by residents and others about a wind farm development in the surrounding Australian capital region. The government does not resile from its commitment to make the transition to a low carbon future for our city. The government does not resile from its commitment to deliver 90 per cent renewable energy for our city. And we know that this commitment is supported by the overwhelming majority of Canberrans. Over 80 per cent of Canberrans surveyed late last year confirmed that making the transition to large-scale renewable energy was one of the most significant steps that the ACT government should take. Over 80 per cent of Canberrans polled also confirmed that they want to see this government continue to make sure that our city is making the transition to be ready for a low-carbon future. So we know that these policies have strong support from Canberrans and that people want to see action being taken.
It is worth highlighting, of course, that the wind farm proposal that residents have made representations about in the petition that Ms Lawder tabled this morning was a wind farm that was approved last year by the New South Wales planning authorities. So if residents are concerned about that approval, with respect, I would suggest that
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