Minister says no to Environmental Effects Statement for wind farm at Stockyard Hill

AN ENVIRONMENTAL Effects Statement was not required for a 282-turbine wind farm at Stockyard Hill because the project would not have a significant environmental impact.Planning Minister Justin Madden made the decision on September 29 after preliminary ecological investigations indicated the wind farm was unlikely to have a significant impact on threatened fauna.In his decision, Mr Madden took into consideration the fact the project site consisted of mostly cleared agricultural land. He also noted the wind farm layout had been modified to accommodate flora and fauna issues.Pyrenees Shire Mayor Lester Harris said council was disappointed with the minister's decision."Council wrote to the minister about three months ago requesting an EES be conducted . . . we were very firm in our wishes,'' Cr Harris said."With a proposal that has 282 turbines, it should be looked at thoroughly in the most rigorous manner.''Wind Power made the referral to Mr Madden in June for its $1.5 billion proposed Stockyard Hill Wind Farm between Beaufort and Skipton.Wind Power engineer and community consultant Ross Richards was pleased with the minister's decision."The government's guidelines provide a rigorous set of rules which our company takes very seriously in all our development activities.''Western Plains Landscape Guardians Group was shocked and disappointed at hearing the minister's decision yesterday."We believe this proposal should have been subject to a full EES. We will be looking for an explanation from the minister why he has ignored our requests," group spokeswoman Cassie Franzose said.The decision that there be no EES, is subject to three conditions including detailed investigations on potential impacts on the brolga population and the significant heritage homestead Mawallok, and an investigation identifying corridor options for an extension of the electricity grid connection to the site.