Three levels of government join forces to oppose wind farms

The Mayor of Yass Valley Council says her community has already done the heavy lifting on renewable projects in order to provide their “metro mates” with plenty of energy.

Yass Valley Mayor Jasmin Jones is opposing the Bendenine Wind Project.

Representatives from three levels of government have joined forces to oppose a giant renewable energy project in their backyards, with one warning the nation’s food bowl is at risk of “going to s**t”.

Federal MP for Riverina ­Michael McCormack, state MP for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman and Yass Valley Mayor Jasmin Jones have told The Daily Telegraph they don’t want the Bendenine Wind Farm to go ahead.

An angry Ms Jones said “there is no social license for any further turbine projects in this region”.

“We have done our heavy lifting. Our metro mates are getting plenty of energy from us. We produce the nation’s food and fibre here … it’s all going to go to s**t if this is allowed to continue in Yass Valley.,” she said.

The mayor said her region already had four separate wind projects and two giant solar farms either built or in the development stage.

Nationals MP Mr McCormack added: “This is the result of the great folly that is the rush to renewables. It is breaking down generational friendships and harming country communities. I will not stand for it”.

“This must be opposed at every opportunity with all the fight and fervour regional people can muster to ensure the rural lifestyle we enjoy.”

It comes after The Telegraph discovered Wind Prospect had made secret deals with a handful of landowners between the towns of Bowning and Binalong before the private company had begun public consultation. Their nearby neighbours, who were in the dark about the proposal until recently, have not received ­financial compensation.

The map from Wind Prospect showing 90 wind turbines, each measuring 260 metres tall, between Bowning and Binalong. Source: Wind Prospect website Picture: Supplied

On Wednesday it was also revealed that the farmer who has agreed to host the majority of this project’s turbines, Will Kelly, lives in a $7 million home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and is a member of the exclusive Royal Sydney Golf Club.

The proposal involves 90 turbines almost the size of Sydney’s Crown Barangaroo, each 260m high, which will tower over properties across a 3km area.

Operators of the $1.6 billion Bendenine Wind Farm will attempt to have it fast-tracked by the NSW Planning Department as a “state significant” project.

That means it will be offered “faster and more consistent decisions” providing the net zero industry “with greater investment certainty”.

State MP Wendy Tuckerman said: “We are almost at a saturation point already in my electorate. There is a clear message here – we don’t want them”.

Originally published as Three levels of government join forces to oppose wind farms