MEDIA RELEASE: Wind turbines wrapped in red tape, while coal and gas drills on

Renewable energy campaigners have today condemned the O'Farrell govenrment’s new wind farm planning guidelines as adding more red tape and more delays to the development of renewable energy in NSW.

"The new wind guidelines introduced today place more rigourous requirements on wind projects than on any other project development in the state.” said Lindsay Soutar, national coordinator of the community 100% Renewable campaign.

“While coal and coal seam gas get the red carpet, wind power just gets more red tape."

"Today’s announcement appears to be the O'Farrell government responding to Alby Schultz and his Riverina squatter set" said campaign coordinator Lindsay Soutar.

“While rigorous community consultation is essential, NSW can't afford a situation where a few rich, disgruntled landholders can run a fear campaign to hold up new wind projects indefinitely"

"NSW has a choice to make: does it want clean, safe renewable energy which is free and will never run out. Or does it want to keep on digging up coal, and burning dirty gas forever? In poll after poll the community overwhelming says it wants renewable energy.

“Today’s announcement by O’Farrell is just another indication that the NSW government is refusing to take seriously the huge opportunity that renewable energy presents.

"Barry O’Farrell is out of step with community expectations on this one" said Ms Soutar.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Lindsay Soutar – 0411 098 853
Andrew Bray - 0421 379 646

100% Renewable is an Australia-wide community campaign to build public and political support for a renewable energy future for Australia. It involves over 40 local community groups in NSW.