Antinuclear

Member for Northern Victoria Donna Petrovich called to account on her claims against wind power

there is an onus on Ms Petrovich to come clean on her research if she is to stand by her claim that communities right across the Macedon and McHarg Ranges and big chunks of Central Victoria are “not appreciative” of this form of green and sustainable energy.

Yes to renewables
http://yes2renewables.org/2012/05/07/where-did-the-no-go-zones-come-from/Where did the ‘No Go’ zones come from?  May 7, 2012 by Cam Walker The following is a letter from last weeks Macedon Ranges Weekly. Where did the ‘No Go’ zones come from? Last year, the state government created a series of ‘No Go’ zones, which block wind energy developments across much of Victoria, including the Macedon – McHarg Ranges. The government seems to think these ranges extend almost as far north as Bendigo.

Member for Northern Victoria Donna Petrovich has said in state parliament that the No Go zones were “carefully” selected where communities “on the whole have told us that they are not appreciative of wind farms”.

Given the controversial nature of the No Go zones, and the widespread support for the Macedon and Castlemaine community wind proposals, it would be useful to understand how Ms Petrovich consulted the community
to reach her conclusion that wind power is unpopular.

I have tried
unsuccessfully over a number of months to get a clear answer from her
office on this issue.
If an MP consults their constituents in order to develop their
position, that is to be commended. If it’s a robust consultation
process, then why not release the results? Polling continually shows
the majority of people do support renewable energy and wind power in
particular, so there is an onus on Ms Petrovich to come clean on her
research if she is to stand by her claim that communities right across
the Macedon and McHarg Ranges and big chunks of Central Victoria are
“not appreciative” of this form of green and sustainable energy.
Cam Walker
Campaigns co-ordinator
Friends of the Earth
Castlemaine
Background
Ms Petrovich, an Upper House member for Northern Victoria, has made it
fairly clear that she supports fossil fuel over renewables:
On wind
In Hansard, Ms Petrovich raises various issues about what she sees as
the ‘problems’ with wind energy: issues of reliability of wind, health
risks, visual impacts.
Ms Petrovich is concerned that the previous government did not consult
with the community over wind farm policy (this does beg the question
of who the Coalition consulted with in framing their policy).
She says that the No Go zones were ‘carefully’ selected where
communities ‘on the whole have told us that they are not appreciative
of wind farms’. In the same speech she only mentioned anti-wind groups
as being the groups she had worked with in forming her opinion – see
below.
She endorses the Coalition policy: ‘The position the government has
come to is one that I am proud of.’
Hansard, 12/10/11
She has worked with anti-wind groups:
“I have worked with groups such as the RATs (Residents Against
Turbines) of Tooborac and a group that works out of Baynton and
Sidonia, and they have had great concerns about the proposals for wind
farms”.
Hansard October 11, 2011
On coal
“The Coalition looks towards the effectiveness and abundance of brown
coal as a means to provide a reliable source of energy for
Victorians”.
Hansard October 11, 2011
what do you think?
If you are concerned that Ms Petrovich has helped kill off any short
term option for community owned wind energy in Central Victoria, you
may want to let her know your feelings on the matter with a quick
email or phone call. Just say you’d like to leave a message for Ms
Petrovich, and leave a short message, plus your contact details.
Phone : (03) 5782 2011
Fax :     (03) 5782 2099
Email: donna.petrovich@parliament.vic.gov.au

May 7, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, Victoria, wind | wind