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The truth about the great wind power fraud – we're not here to debate the wind industry, we're here to destroy it.
STOP THESE THINGS 
Another GWPF offering for you:
“The attraction of a quick buck when government slush-fund subsidies are on offer has always attracted entrepreneurs, corporate industry, and investors alike. The trouble is that lavish subsidies will always be subject to what our Gallic friends would call: Le Guillotine. There’s a cut off point – and its fast approaching.
In many parts of northern Europe, wind and solar projects may be highly visible facts on the ground. But the headline economic fact behind renewable energy is, and always has been, its sheer and blatant “unsustainability”.
And what is the tip of the day for prospective investors in energy stocks? Two words: shale gas. While it may not be a renewable resource, it sure is a safe bet to be a sustainable one – and well beyond our generation.”
Full article:
http://www.thegwpf.org/great-renewables-scam-unravels/
While listening to Melissa and Rikki’s story of life near the Cape Bridgewater wind farm in this video
Rikki talked about stray voltages that he had detected at their home, even when disconnected to the grid. This reminded me of a conversation I had with Professor John Boland at the University of South Australia, probably in 2012, but perhaps earlier, about his research as a environmental mathematician, and in particular, his work modelling energy from wind farms.
He said at times of low demand (e.g. at night), if the wind farms were making too much electricity, it was common practice that they discharged the excess electricity from the turbines into the ground. He said it was just like a bolt of lightening hitting the ground.
Is it possible that this practice is what has been disturbing the neighbours and waking them in their sleep with a start and a racing heart?
I can imagine that the amount and location of conductive material in the ground might also explain why some people are affected and not others.
Wind Energy versus the Environment
Biodiversity is at the forefront of environmental conservation to achieve the needs of society a balanced approach is required.
To sustain human development energy is required; to achieve this renewable energy should be seen as the way forward as fossil fuels are not renewable.
However this should not be seen as a green light for the profit of the boardroom to the detriment of the fauna and flora of the area.
For example (TRUenergy) now Energy Australia is proposing wind farms at Stony Gap, Robertstown and Waterloo stage 2 in South Australia’s mid north.
The proposed wind farms will be located in an area that has been declared a critically endangered ecological community under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
These ecological communities were listed as critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) because of a severe decline in distribution and ongoing loss of integrity. The decision by the Australian Minister for the Environment and Water Resources to list the communities followed careful consideration of advice from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee—an independent scientific body that advises the Minister on the conservation status of native species and ecological communities. National listing of these ecological communities recognises that their long-term survival is under threat. The listing aims to prevent their further decline, and assist community and landholder efforts toward the recovery of these ecological communities. (EPBC Act Policy Statement 3.7 June 2007)The Minister for the Department of the Environment and Water resources listed the area as critically endangered in the condition it is now.
The federal government has introduced the Environmental stewardship program to help the community to protect and rehabilitate the 2% of the remnant vegetation that is left of this critically endangered area.
It is believed that 98 per cent of Peppermint Box Grassy woodland and 93 per cent of Iron grass Natural Temperate Grassland in South Australia has been lost since European settlement reducing the diversity of the Australian bush for threatened wildlife.
The ecological studies conducted by Energy Australia are designed to show that the footprint will not have any detrimental impact in such a critical area.
Why did the Federal Government declare this a critically endangered area and why have both Federal and State Environmental departments funded programs to help protect the area when at the same time due to the pressure of developers the State Government have allowed for the construction of wind Farms in areas that need to be protected.
Is the pressure placed on Local and State Government authorities to approve renewable energy programs at any cost contradicting the very reason the area was declared critically endangered.
To introduce something as large as a wind farm regardless of the developer’s claims, the impact to the environment will be negative and may have far reaching consequences into the future. There is no benefit to the immediate environment.
The impact of a large industrial complex will have an impact no matter how insignificant the claim from the developer regarding the impact of turbines and associated infrastructure. It will have a significant impact to the birdlife and biodiversity of the surrounding area.
Have the Local and State Government environmental departments considered the cumulative effects of wind farms in the area and the impact on the environment over an area significantly larger than just the proposed wind farm site at Stony Gap?
Have the authorities considered the total impact on the area of Waterloo, Stony Gap, Robertstown, and Burra that has existing wind farms and or proposed wind farms?
How will bulldozing, blasting, removing vegetation and operating wind farms in a concentrated area add to the improvement of biodiversity in this area?
The issue needs to be addressed otherwise why declare the area as critically endangered in the first place and spend millions of dollars to improve and protect these areas when a developer can produce an environmental impact study assuring the authorities that everything will be all right.
What independent studies have been provided to the authorities that these concerns have been addressed?
At the very least a strategic assessment needs to be undertaken that looks at the broader landscape and environmental issues such as the cumulative effect of wind farms rather than the project by project assessment which only address’s the impact on the proposed site and does not consider the impact on the area surrounding the proposed wind farms.
Energy Australia claims that they are environmentally responsible where is that responsibility when they are proposing wind farms in a critically endangered area.
Old Ranga (28.4.13)
It sounds good, but will it work. We have in SA Local Authorities which apparently make the decision, but they have to send all planning applications to their so called independent Development Assessment Panels (DAP) to decide against Development Plans which can and are changed by the State Government at will, even though they say they consult the communities. Consulting is different to listening to and doing what the communities want, if it goes against what the Government wants. Also decisions are influenced by what the Local Authority wants, after providing just 2 weeks for community members to place submissions for or against a project, that is just 2 weeks research and assessment of projects the council and their planning departments have had years to deliberate on.
Yes people can be heard at the meetings, but only if they have made a submission, and there is no need for the panel to consider what they say. The company has the same right, but again they have had years to prepare and have had influence within the council for years before a project gets to the DAP. They present a well prepared submission that has been prepared by their well-paid and slickly marketing department or even by a hired marketing company.
The fairest thing that could happen is ALL authorities are forced to publically notify the community via all media outlets locally and throughout the state, as well as via the postal service for the community to be affected, and for all elected members of council to canvas their areas to inform people of a contact by a company who is considering a project in their area, and that all information provided to council is made available to the public, with no meetings held in confidence and all contacts by the company with members of the local authority published for everyone to see.
How many elected councillors actually go out and personally speak to each of their constituents about these projects?
None in my Council area, so how can they make a decision on a constituent’s part if they don’t know what they think?
If you only look at what the process is you would think it is democratic and fair but look closer and it is nothing of the sort. Note the comment in the article by the Member of Parliament – they are going to set up a system of payment for those who agree to have turbines in their community! No pressure then.
The way this process works seems so much like the way us Victorians are being railroaded into installing insidious “smart meters” in their homes. Whilst I have resisted so far, I am sure the Government will bring in some draconian law that will force me into having one. The benefits to the consumer are almost nil yet the benefits to the supplier is priceless. Yet we consumers have to pay for them. The effects of Electronic Magnetic Radiation put out by these things are downplayed, yet the latest scientific research from overseas shows the dangers are ignored. We are the only State in Australia that have no right to refuse them. Josef Stalin would be proud.
Check out this post on the GWPF site – the UK’s recently appointed Energy Minister plans to give local communities the power to block wind farm developments in their area.
Right on!
http://www.thegwpf.org/energy-minister-locals-block-wind-farms/
I recently visited a wind farm in Victoria and immediately began to feel Nauseated – and also began to feel some light bleeding on my gums…. Please keep up the great work with this site. The main idea / justification for these contraptions that burning coal adds CO2 to the atmosphere is absolute scaremongering from vested interests in Big Industry – there is absolutely nothing unsustainable about Fossil Fuels…
If the Victorian Governmnet manages to transfer to local authorities the work of checking compliance of Wind Energy Installations, will they also be giving local authoritiesunfettered responsibility of approving or not approving them with no ability for the companies to appeal any decisions that go against them., but pay for ratepayers to appeal. If not then the Victorian Government should keep the responsibility, why should ratepayers who have campaigned to stop projects be expected to pay to check their compliance or appeal a decision which went against them. One thing the Victorian Government could do is do the job themselves but send the bill to the companies each and every time it is done, whether they comply or not.
Premier Jay Weatherill of SA is behaving like an Ostrich, head in the sand. On the 21st March statements he made, reported in The Australian, show he is no different to his predecessor Mr Rann. He continues along the same road after saying he was going to take an alternative one. Though it is no surprise to this writer, as his predisposition for IWT’s was evident years ago when he went against his own department’s advice (when Planning Minister) and approved a project at Myponga. Mr Weatherill a close confident of Mr Rann’s and the one who apparently persuaded him to step down and hand the Premiership over to him is now showing his hand. He is trying to sit on the fence by saying he accepts there are those who say they are ill, but shows his true belief by saying there is no proof so everything is OK. He wants the many projects in the pipeline here to go ahead – with this sort of comment just before the DAC is to make judgements on two very controversial projects you can see he is showing his hand and using it to influence the panel. As the panel’s decision will be going to Mr Rau and no doubt to Mr Weatherill before being announced, is it is possible they will override the decision if it isn’t what they want to hear.
Mr Weatherill I say to you, you cannot have it both ways, while you believe there is no evidence showing these things make people ill THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THEY DON’T, though there is more and more evidence being provided that shows there is a high possibility they do, all it needs is completely independent research to be undertaken. Neither is there ANY evidence they increase prosperity except to the proponents and hosts, or reduce carbon emissions and increase employment in South Australia or anywhere in Australia.
And what innovation and technological development has been developed Mr Weatherill. They use the same technology today they used 20 years ago, it’s just bigger. Also, windmills have been used for 100’s of years and even they caused noise pollution, but – wind – was used to turn their sails. So again Mr Weatherill you are wrong to say a benefit is new technology and/ or innovation.
DAC meet Today …. 28 MARCH 2013…..to consider Keyneton Wind Farm application…..
The Knight’s Fork….sorry…
…..It would be hard for the DAC to even consider a “recommendation” to Minister Rau without the results of the Waterloo EPA study…..Due Diligence……
……or even the Minister to make a decision without a “completed” Waterloo EPA study……Due Diligence…..
Hi,
My name is Harry, I am a Year 12 student at St Michaels College, Adelaide. As you may know each student must undertake the Research Project his year. I have decided to do my Research Project on Wind Farms, in particular, their effects economically, socially, environmentally and also the effect on human health. I am actively seeking new information, so I was directed here. I was wondering, what are your opinions on Wind Farms. Are they economically, environmentally and socially viable in Australia’s future? Please if you get a chance, leave your opinion in the comments. Thankyou for your time
Hi Harry. Sometimes the words in songs are more powerful than just more talk….while you research your project you will find out more about corporate corruption, political manipulation, democratic principles and the power of the citizen……than you could ever have imagined
Big Wind are the Little Kings
.Paul Kelly
Land of the Little Kings
I’m so afraid for my country
There’s an ill wind blowing no good
So many lies in the name of history
They want to improve my neighbourhood
I’m so worried about my brother
He just gets sadder every day
We gotta take care of each other
Or else we’re gonna have to pay
In the land of the little kings
There’s a price on everything
And everywhere the little kings
Are getting away with murder
I was born in a lucky country
Every day I hear the warning bells
They’re so busy building palaces
They don’t see the poison in the wells
In the land of the little kings
Profit is the only thing
And everywhere the little kings
Are getting away with murder
In the land of the little kings Justice don’t mean a thing
And everywhere the little kings
Are getting away with murder
well done harry, being a final year project, make sure you’re reporting on actual facts too for good grades!
Welcome…..Mr Bob Dylan…….
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got… til it’s gone…..!!
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot……
Yep. They took away the trees and put em in a tree museum
Prophetic.
Planted wind turbines instead
A crime against Nature.
I understand Carmeiia……Nature…
All I can see is every square inch with turbines rusting and people complaining because you cannot recycle and the wind company developer has long gone. There is no responsibility on their part to remove them once they are no longer in use. I object to calling them wind farms as it is an insult to farmers surely they should be called complexes after all they are industrial and not windmills.
It seems there is a problem with bees being affected by wind turbines and disappearing. wind turbines have magnetic fields which affects bees. If the bees go so do we. See http://paigemclellansblog.blogspot.com.au. Surely we should make governments aware of this as the US, UK and Netherlands are all experiencing declines in be populations. The US is importing our bees but we had better make sure that bees are not in areas with wind turbines.
“Our strategy should be not only to confront empire, but to lay siege to it.
To deprive it of oxygen. To shame it. To mock it. With our art, our music, our literature, our stubbornness, our joy, our brilliance, our sheer relentlessness – …..
……and our ability to tell our own stories. Stories that are different from the ones we’re being brainwashed to believe.”
~ Arundhati Roy
The concerns…
Wind machines have a massive carbon and geographic footprint,… are a drain on Government revenues, have questionable productivity, financial and technical claims,…. escalate electricity costs, and create a foreign corporate dependence in regard to electricity production and maintenance.
They are large and cumbersome, visually offensive, a danger to aircraft, relentless killers of all manner of bird life including the majestic wedge tail Eagle which lives and breeds on the ridges.
Industrial wind farms are socially intrusive and divisive, physically and mentally disturbing, environmentally destructive, financially damaging to surrounding communities creating a litigation nightmare, and for me, far too many moving-parts to be considered green, sustainable, or whatever other “motherhood tag” one wishes to apply…seems like a nightmare for everyone in the end………
Politicians from both sides are moving away from the current wind farm strategy in regard to wind farm approvals around communities, and are now calling for a Moratorium,… and I suspect, not before too long, a Royal Commission to find out where the money went and who got it…….and with a further $5 billion of proposed wind farm installation in South Australia…..
……Please tell me there won’t be any leakage…$$$$..
What an inane state of affairs…ill Conceived…….
…..A NEW ENERGY POLICY IS REQUIRED……….
….of course they are Building Wind Farms for the Money…!
…………….they are not building wind farms out of the goodness of their hearts……
Beware the Midas touch……and the sweet words in your ear……
I think this is most appropriate to our whole sitution
…you are right Carmella….the “Occupy”.phenomenon is happening World Wide…..and we are now part of it as well…
……reclaiming one’s right to a Peaceful and Meaningful Life ..free from Exploitation……and everything that goes with it….
..the anthems of the Great Movements are Back…they molded our Character…
Nigel Farage tells it just like it is. Listen to this guys!
UK Conservative MP admits he was wrong to support the 2008 Climate Change Act
…..I just have to post this…..so I can focus….
……………….Again………………..
We’re with you, brother.
Well that sure brought tears to my eyes
Thank you Harry
My husband and I visited a Victorian Upper house Coalition MP today after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment. It was in response to an ad in the local paper where the MP invited people to visit him with their various concerns. His first response when we said we had concerns about the approved wind energy facility being built so close to our township was that over 50% of his constituents’ appointments were regarding wind farms.
My immediate answer was “well,what does that tell you?”
He just looked uncomfortable.
The Victorian State Government has no intention of helping in any way and refuses to touch the WF’s that were approved under Brumby and the NZ 6808: 1998 Standards for noise. Mr Guy is afraid of Soverign risk but surely peoples’ lives and health are more important. I cannot believe they will allow turbines to be built and placed well within 2 KMs, knowing full well that some residents will be adversely affected. It is completely irresponsible.
The visit was a waste of time as any reference to adverse health effects was brushed over and basically he said that nothing was proven and the cause was quite likely to be psychological and there was no credible evidence that people were being harmed.
Why should the onus of proof be on the poor unfortunate landholders who just happen to live next door to these facilities through no fault of their own.
Greg Hunt, although not favour of voting for the Madigan and Xenophon Bill did say in the Financial Review today the Government has a duty of care to the affected people.
I don’t think any of us should put our faith in any politicians as there are too many of them who either have vested interests in wind farms or they just don’t care about the collateral damage being done to a small minority of rural residents for the greater good of the community.
…….It has been a long Road……
!!!!>>>WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH>>>!!!!
SUBMISSION 13 December 2011
To
The Presiding Member, Development Policy Advisory Committee
State-wide Wind Farms DPA
Department of Planning and Local Government
Submission…From Harry Makris..Keyneton Studios
Sect 548 Hnd. Jellicoe….Keyneton.
PO box 568 Angaston 5353
The Legislative Powers of the Parliament of Australia
“..The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Commonwealth……..”
The Legislative powers of the State of South Australia
“..The Governor and the Two Houses of Parliament, together have power to legislate for the “peace, welfare and good government of the State of South Australia…”
Clearly, the intent of legislative power is …..
……… for the peace, order/welfare, and good government …….
Does the State-wide Wind Farms DPA abide by the Constitutional Intention..?.
Obviously not, when there is nothing but conflict and agitation, when there is confusion and skepticism.
Where is the “certainty this DPA was meant to bring…?
Wind farming is nothing new…
There is ample evidence on many fronts which indicates that, community resistance to massive turbines, is the single most common and negative outcome of any wind farm installation/proposal around communities.
I am wondering how well researched the commitment to this broad brush wind farm/turbine roll-out actually was..?
…It should have been known that…, …as the turbines got closer to people, you would have more and more resistance….resistance is the basic defense mechanism against attack….
This is happening everywhere … people are feeling attacked….as if being colonised by dangerous external forces… this creates anxiety and confusion to the point of anger… good government is meant to legislate for Peace and Order..
If your research was comprehensive and your plans considered, you would think one would have factored-in the community/ political losses, (which would be inevitably created State-wide ), into the plan.
This DPA has only inflamed the resolve to resist this threat.
The revised proposal at Keyneton (third time), now a 42 Turbine Installation, has created many difficulties in the District…..a turbine here or there makes little or no difference to the negative impact of this proposed Wind Farm…and cannot repair the community division and atone for the injury already done.
I have made my views clear from the beginning many months ago…..see my original submission (Barossa Preservation Zone)…… The community disquiet which has followed only reinforces my view that wind farms should be built on “wind farm land”.
The irony is, that many years ago my Studio was commissioned by the South Australian Tourist Bureau to spend 6 months in the South Australian landscape specifically to photograph its Beauty/Drama/Dynamics….The Landscape was seen to be the most important of assets in the then young tourist industry …The Gateway to the Outback now seems to be replaced by…The Turbine World…
The resistance to wind turbines in the Landscape is not going to go away….and for good reason.
We know that the human condition responds directly to stress relating sources, and even though the Keyneton wind farm is still only a proposal, people on both sides of the debate are already sick…why is that.?….
Stress related responses of this kind come mainly from anxiety, can manifest in many ways, and can impact deeply on one’s health, and in one’s sense of well-being, which is, after all, what life is all about….
Peace, Order and Good Government…?
If,.. in this world of communications,.. and before you had embarked on this adventure, you had thoroughly researched the impact of wind farms on communities, you must have known that the current state-wide wind farm roll-out strategy was flawed, and was going to cause resistance, discord and anxiety,… all compounding to create a multitude of problems (personal/community health, Environment, amenity, fire, asset values, etc., etc.)
The fact is, that this massive industrial complex is proposed to be placed in a rural-living community whose lifestyle expression and significant commitment to works, had its beginnings in a genuine concern for the environment… This particular community was in the forefront of alternative energy/lifestyle applications as early as 1975, employing principles which the world at large is just beginning to understand and to follow, long before the words, ..”Green and Sustainability” became politically exploitative.
The words.. “Green” .. and.. “Sustainability”,.. are hackneyed, no longer have any meaning, and are perceived as ..”platitudinous spin” among professional communicators. They should be deleted from the corporate/political vocabulary….try…..
… “Social/Environmental Responsibility”…!.
Industrialization proposals of this kind fly in the face of long term understanding.
What is true, is that America has had this technology since the 80’s, rife with scams and corruption, and now has tens of thousands of abandoned turbines rusting and littering the landscape around devalued communities that no one wants to live in.
But then that’s America… that can’t happen here….can it..?
Well, it’s already happening…Try and sell your place around here… even the agents walk away…. ouch.
Knowing all this you cannot be forward planners…One could be forgiven in thinking that you have morphed into some sort of Corporate/Government alliance, A “Politi-Corp” which thrives on opportunism and legislates for its own advantage, all at the expense of the community at large…. Abandoning democratic principles with an abject disregard for the Natural World (including Man)
“You have meddled with the primal forces of Nature, Mr Beal.” (quote from the prophetic film Network)
We also know that there have been many bubbles regarding investments and government bail outs over the years,.. the dot com bubble, the real estate bubble, stock market bubble, Enron and the energy bubble, Asia melt-down, the great bank bail- out, etc. etc., and then, who could forget the REM Centre/State Bank fiasco here, together with the subsequent sale of the utilities, and it didn’t, and hasn’t stopped there.
Now, comes the wind farm roll out, a completely transparent grab for subsidies, the value of which has been kept secret from the public,…Why..? Because when this bubble bursts it will create massive sovereign/state debt, ravage the landscape, towns and communities (just like everywhere else), only to be followed by the subsequent ‘energy price bubble’ (already happening), which will create obscene profits, for who…?
No Peace here……..No Order either…..
And the “motherhood” spin of the DPA was, ..”to Give certainty to the Industry and the Communities”..?….all it has done is create Discord….well done….
You cannot serve Two masters.
The proposed Keyneton Wind farm is set and well positioned to become the tipping point for the establishment of new roll out rules for wind turbines, and if anyone has to get used to anything… it’s That… New Rules….not Turbines
That is what will give certainty to the Industry and Communities.
New Rules.
I wish to be heard at the scheduled meeting in Adelaide, 17 January 2012
Harry Makris …..Keyneton
Please, if you need any more info to argue that these monsters are bad, just listen to this interesting podcast from Val Martin of Co Cavan Ireland. I have seen the devastation they have made to pristine countryside in Ireland and Scotland. Martin explains there is more to them than we are being told.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/youngdan/2011/01/20/wind-energy-val-martin
Carolyn Joyce
Gippsland
Carmel you have covered every issue and leave me feeling very dsepondent. Is there any way out of this nightmare of lies, selfishness and corporate greed? We have just been made aware that our approved but not yet constructed WF has been in the pipeline for at least 9 years. Has anyone read the NSW Farmers Guide for host landholders, prepared by GHD and funded by the NSW Dept of Heritage and Environment? Of particular note is the small reference to distressed people having recources such as Lifeline, Mensline and Rural Mental Health Support to assist them. What a terrible admission as obviously all their vehment denials of any ill effects on human health are blown out of the water. The NHMRC Rapid Review 2010 was also dredged up so wind companies are either completely ignorant of the facts or just don’t care.
grannyange71 there is a very real problem when people start suffering mental health issues over this dirty rotten business. As Harry Makris says, people are feeling attacked, as if colonised by external forces, far beyond their control. I know it is hard not to despair, but feel that despair and then get on with fighting this completely unacceptable intrusion into your lives in every single way that you can. There is an old saying called
COMMITMENT
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation,
there is one elementary truth,
the ignorance of which kills countless
ideas and splendid plans:
That the moment one definitely
commits oneself
Then ‘Providence’ moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that
would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues
from the decision, raising in one’s favour
all manner of unforseen incidents and
meetings and material assistance,
which no man could have dreamed would
come his way
…Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has
genius, power, and magic in it………. Begin it now.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
VERBAL PRESENTATION TO DAC MEETING – CAMBRAI FEB 21 3013
My name is Carmel Connors.
The photographs now showing were taken by myself over the course of the past few months. 25 years ago I joined up with Bill Evans and many other locals to regenerate the Waterways Farm property in Keyneton and beyond, because the land had become degraded from farming practises over the years.
We covered 20-30% of a 150 hectare property with new life to bring back the balance of biodiversity. This was one of the most significant tree planting endeavours ever undertaken in this state, with no government assistance. Many other property owners in this area have also endeavoured to do the same.
So I am here today to support my friends who I have had a lifetime connection with.
We came to live out here in search of meaning. And the land gave us that meaning. Many of us built lives from the ground up, starting from scratch. No mains power, no mains water, no mains anything. And it was the land that sustained us for all that time, while we raised our children and worked hard to make it all worthwhile. The lives which we created, were designed to get away from all the pressures of an increasingly complex world.
This search for meaning is something very deep in all of humanity. To have a connection with the natural world and build meaningful friendships.
We have watched the trees grow, and seen the wildlife come back.
We thrill at the sight of a new birds to the area. We watch in profound silence, the Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, and so many other life forms going about their lives. We listen to the sweet sounds of bats in the dark, and the wind in the trees, that we planted. And all is at peace
35 or 40 years later, we are faced with this unprecedented train wreck, an environmental and social disaster of such unbelievably massive proportions it has made us all sick at the thought.
Now we are being told to continue to feel that peace of mind when we sit outside on the porch at the end of the day to relax…. and watch a bunch of huge industrial machines…..
We are sensitive creatures we humans, not machines, and it is utterly inhumane to think that we can live in any comfortable way amongst these things which are out of all proportion to the environment, at 150 metres, which dwarf the landscape….. and completely dominate the sky.
I am deeply distressed along with many others that anyone could think this dirty rotten industrialisation of our lives and landscape is ok.
So we cannot, as a community in any way accept this intrusion into our lives and allow ANY corporate company, who does not share our love for this land, assault our hills and lives.
DESTROY our community……. DESTROY an already fragile environment which has been systematically hammered by unsustainable farming practises, to create a LITTLE BIT of Pacific Hydro’s SO CALLED GREEN ENERGY.
WE……… have been quietly going about doing this for years.
As soon as these wind farm companies erect these monsters they sell it on to some other company and head off home to their wind farm free lives, leaving us all with a deeply unacceptable way of life.
In the process taking away far more…….. than they offer ….and leaving us all …….with a truly meaningless existence.
Green energy is now a dirty word to me.
The only thing green about this whole wind farm industry is dollars. It is the biggest, utterly flawed, fraudulent and socially unconscionable, destructive industry that exists in our time.
Surely you are here, on this panel today to protect US, the people who live here…….and not a big corporate interest, whose only desire is to line the pockets of people who do not love this country like we do with all our hearts and souls.
Haven’t we damaged this planet enough? Is nothing sacred?
This fragile and denuded ridge top is part of the Barossa Character Preservation and Protection Zone. Which must do just that…….preserve and protect.
There is only one answer to the unending escalation of problems associated with the PLACEMENT of wind farms everywhere, and we all now know that wherever they put them there are problems.
And this is to PLACE them AWAY from ALL COMMUNITIES and put them in designated wind farm areas.
With a 20km EXCLUSION ZONE from all human habitation.
If this were to happen, then the wind farm companies would not have to pay landowners millions of dollars to host them, and consequently divide once strong communities, and THAT money could then be spent on new Infrastructure development which these wind farm companies SHOULD be paying for.
This would also SOLVE most of the associated problems involved with what is a truly unimaginable intrusion on top of people and their homes, their sense of peace and well-being, which has already created unprecedented levels of stress ………and feelings of despair.
SOLVE the devaluation of property values……. SOLVE the very real stress related health issues involving audible sound and infrasound which are bound to occur, along with shadow flicker and noise from substations.
SOLVE the very real and obvious danger of loss of human life in out of control fire events, in hard to access country, because we now know that aircraft will NOT go anywhere near turbines.
SOLVE the terrible and unnecessary damage to the treasured and precious natural landscape balance, and loss of already endangered native flora and fauna.
In fact how can we justify more damage of any kind to this Earth and call it ‘GREEN ENERGY’.
I am so very afraid that the powers that be have got this all wrong and this wind farm roll out business is just another example of a long list of unethical corporate intrusion, completely based, on nothing more than out of control greed. And nothing to do with saving the Planet. This system of wind farm rollout is not the answer to our energy problems when it destroys everything in its path.
The only true renewable energy has to be in the form of reforestation of this planet which NO government even talks about anymore. The real problem with climate change is that we have deforested this earth and its natural systems to such a dangerous level that we are on the brink of destroying it completely.
We now know that not one coal fired power station has been shut down because of wind turbines. Even though thousands of them have been planted all over the world. Not one.
Wind turbines do not lower carbon emissions. Forests do.
If the government was really serious about lowering carbon emissions then they would help every Australian household install solar panels and small backup wind generators. They would help implement reforestation initiatives on a massive scale into barren and degraded land.
But no, there would be no money in that for energy companies or governments would there? We would all become independent of a system, where we are forced to keep paying higher and higher prices for, and yet use less and less.
And I believe that everyone here today knows in their hearts and minds that this is not the answer to our energy needs, unless you are not educated enough to understand the most basic principles of land care and the natural and perfect systems that this planet has had in place for millions of years.
Its natural systems that give back to the earth, not destroy it.
We didn’t fall out of the trees yesterday. We have known for a very long time that the greed on this planet will eventually destroy the very environment that we depend on so much for our existence.
These inappropriately placed wind farms are a CRIME against the people and the environment. I don’t care what Pacific Hydro or any other wind farm company want to call it, but it is NOT GREEN ENERGY when there is nothing but a trail of destruction, wherever they go.
So I finish today by saying to Pacific Hydro ‘You take your destructive version of Green Energy and you go and shove them in your back yards and you explain to your neighbours, friends and family what exactly is so good about them, and leave us to continue our naturally sustainable version of GREEN ENERGY THANKYOU
OH AND LASTLY I HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE STAFF OF PACIFIC HYDRO.
THIS IS OUR IDEA OF GREEN ENERGY AS OPPOSED TO YOURS. ( I gave them a young gum tree)
TAKE THIS BEAUTIFUL TREE HOME AND PLANT IT — AND SEE FEEL GOOD IT FEELS!
…please read this letter…….DPA Amendment…. wind farm submissions……
Click to access P015_Keynes.pdf
….and …
….if you can’t learn from the past………
…………..You are Doomed to repeat it….!
Canada…….Make up your own mind……Wind Rush….
…LOOK at the effect a wind farm has on the atmosphere…
……nobody is happy about wind farms….
……….They just reek Havoc wherever they go……
What does Havoc mean,.? ,,,,try…destruction,..ruin,..devastation,.. upheaval,..catastrophe,..disaster,..disruption,..disorder,.. confusion,..uproar,.. chaos,.. and mayhem….
………From every point of View………
It’s Time to get this right…..
After all, South Australia has a disproportionate number of turbines; “ The State, with 7.2 per cent of Australia’s population, now hosts 54 percent of Australia’s wind farm operating capacity” and with thousands of proposals for more turbines to maintain this relationship.
Smell The Wind..!!
Yeah. Now it stinks!
20% ?
The Australian Federal Government signed up to 20% of Renewables by 2020 .
OK, as it was our Federal Government that committed us to this, the responsibility to meet this target falls to the States and Territories to achieve it, so if each of the 8 provides 20% plus of course the extra 13% the South Australian Premier unilaterally declared SA would provide brings the total to 173%.
Of course the National total of 20% is the target, but will a minimum of 20% from each state and territory actually put us over the 20% National requirement?
What’s the current National energy production from Renewables?
Does the National Government have an accurate figure, are they keeping a ‘database’ of how much installed capacity Renewable Energy is now operational?
This figure should obviously be made up of ALL renewables including rooftop solar and small privately owned wind turbines.
Is it possible we have reached the NATIONAL requirement of 20% installed capacity already?
Too many questions and not enough answers Jackie.
The fact IS that wind turbines are NOT renewables.
They aren’t even recyclable
In fact by the time they are manufactured using non recyclable materials, shipped from other countries, trucked on site, holes drilled and filled with HUGE amounts of concrete which contributes 10% of the world’s carbon emissions and killed enormous amounts of eagles, falcons, bats and God knows what else…..they actually contribute a NETT LOSS to the Planet.
Carmella
Angaston
……welcome to the nightmare……!!!!
One of the major issues with wind farms is the issue of decommissioning. Most proponents promote the idea that the cost of decommissioning ( approximately $350k per unit) can be offset by the salvage value of the blades and columnar the end of their 25 year life.
I refer you to the link below for a smaller project by Ratch Australia Corporation (RAC) for some 68 turbines to be located 55 km north of Canberra in NSW. You will get the drift.
Click to access B01_Decommissioning_Plan.pdf
It is interesting to note that whilst they talk about the process of decommissioning, there does not appear to be any obligation to do so. Just that we believe or expect that the salvage value will exceed the cost of removal. Positive salvage value!
The Commonwealth Governments’ own Renewable Energy website glosses over the issue of decommissioning and rehabilitation and also promotes this idea of the salvage value. Problem solved, no further discussion needed, no requirement for a sinking fund or appropriate bank guarantee to protect the community against company failure, liquidation or default.
Mining and Quarry companies have legal obligations to provide funds for rehabilitation of their facilities. It should be an obligation on the Wind Farm operators too.
Defunct wind farms in California and Hawaii are groaning corroding monuments to our stupidity, left to pollute for decades to come as a result of company failures caused when Government or County subsidies ceased.
,,,,Yes……The wind farm roll out, a completely transparent grab for subsidies, the value of which has been kept secret from the public,…Why..?
,,,,,,,,, Because when this bubble bursts it will create massive sovereign/state debt, ravage the landscape, towns and communities (just like everywhere else), only to be followed by the subsequent ‘energy price bubble’ (already happening), which will create obscene profits, for who…?
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WIND FARM INDUSTRY
I would like to suggest to all wind farm proponents and those in Federal, State and Local Governments obtain a copy of Hans Christian Andersen’s story “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and take out of it one of life’s lessons.(I am presuming most people know the story.)
It took the intelligence and observation of a young child to draw attention to the fact that the Emperor parading in the streets was naked.
All the stupid adults were too afraid to speak the truth – that the spinners and weavers of the mythical clothes were fraudsters, pocketing the money they were paid to create the invisible outfits and leaving town before the hoax was exposed.
The analogy I am endeavouring to draw is that, like the crowd in the story, our Governments and all those responsible for planning decisions are well aware of the many shortcomings of the wind industrys’ claims of the efficiency and reliability of wind as a source of renewable energy. Intermittency and necessary back up power e.g. by gas is never mentioned. The investment in wind energy is huge and no one is brave enough as the little child in the story to challenge the proponents and do a cost-benefit analysis. They also continue to ignore the complaints and now undeniable peer reviewed evidence that ill health is being experienced by some people living too close to turbines.
Like the spinners and weavers who escaped from the town with their pockets full of gold at the expense of the stupid silent majority, the wind farm proponents will, likewise be well and truly rewarded by Government subsidies via REC’s and who will pay in the end? The consumers and the Australian tax payers of course!!
Angela Kearns
A picture is forming:
Over 18000 hits (well done)… RECS funded by consumer electricity bills… Thousands of Australians struggling to keep the electricity connected… Communities around the country (and around the world) destroyed by the arrogance of Big Wind. And a Federal election in September. I can’t wait… time to get their snouts out of the public purse.
Love your work, thanks for the site.
Also check windfarmperformance.info for the horrible truth about the uselessness of this form of pseudo-green techno-environmentalism.
Can anyone else remember when electricity used to be a utility?
Cheers
Paul.