Tuesday, 13 May 2025

Curyo wind farm

Jade BENHAM (Mildura) (19:18): (1129) My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Planning, and the action I seek is to ensure that Cubico Sustainable Investments are required to prepare an environment effects statement and go through the proper process before a planning permit is granted. Many residents in my electorate have contacted me, particularly over the last week or so, very concerned about the plan for a wind farm project. They have requested advice with regard to an environment effects statement under section 8 of the Environment Effects Act 1978 from Minister Kilkenny’s office and from Buloke Shire Council. I have spoken to the CEO of Buloke Shire Council. Of course, they are not the statutory authority here; it goes directly to the minister.

Because of the lack of consultation that the community have had – particularly with Buloke Shire Council and the neighbouring council of Yarriambiack – with regard to these wind farm projects and buffer zones et cetera and the lack of communication and transparency, community members are really concerned. They are of the understanding that if an application is made to the minister to not have to provide an environment effects statement, then it does not have to be done. They are of the belief that it absolutely should have to be done, as I think we all would be, because of the threat to native species, particularly in the Mallee, and of course the offsets, the buffer zones.

We have come across this issue a few times, particularly in this part of the world, and honestly, it is putting community members, neighbours, generational farmers and families at war with one another. One may want a wind turbine on their farm, but they are not aware of the complications and the issues around the buffer zones with regard to their neighbours’ dwellings. There is a lack of transparency with these renewable projects, and again, these community members are not saying they are against renewables – quite the contrary; they are against the lack of transparency. There has been none from the government as far as VNI West goes. There is none here. And when more than two people turn up to a community consultation session, then it does not happen and it is shut down. It is not good enough. Community members deserve to be communicated with, and I urge the minister to please consult with these community members before any further action is taken.