The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has taken legal action against a wind farm near Crookwell over the location of nine turbines.
A draft order to move the turbines has been issued to the wind farm company by the Department. It has 21 days to justify why a full order should not be imposed requiring it to move the turbines.
A Department spokesperson said the Department had “rigorously investigated” the complex legal issues around the building of turbines in locations not specified in the company’s planning approval.
“While the company claims that they acted within their approval, the Department shares the local community’s opinion that the new positions of these nine turbines are inconsistent with the conditions of consent and have negative impacts on nearby residents and environmental areas,” said the spokesperson.
“It is not reasonable to say that turbines located up to 187 metres from the originally approved location constitute ‘minor’ changes.
“As such, the Department is pursuing action on the nine turbines, which are considered to be in breach due to the significant departure from the approved location.”
If the wind farm challenges the order in court, the Department retains the option of pursuing enforcement proceedings through the Land and Environment Court.
Legal action against wind farm
Published: October 24, 2014
