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Upper Hunter Shire Council Makes Submission to Department of Planning for Kyoto Energy Park
Last modified: July 21, 2009 - 12:16 AM
Potential impacts on the community must be very closely considered if the State Government gives the green light to the $190 million proposed Kyoto Energy Park near Scone. This view has been expressed in the submission by the Upper Hunter Shire Council to the Department of Planning who are the consent authority for the application.
Mayor Michael Johnsen said Council would urge the Department of Planning to carefully consider the many issues raised in its submission. He said Council was disappointed that the public exhibition period for a proposal of this scope had not been extended, however staff and Councillors have thoroughly examined the 1400-page Environmental Assessment report. In addition to the review, Councillors and senior staff had recently visited two wind farms in Waubra, Victoria and near Bungendore in NSW. Councillors and staff had also inspected the Mountain Station Site where the Energy Park - which includes wind turbines, solar and hydro energy production - would be centred. In addition Councillors and staff visited a number of residences, at the invitation of landowners, in a bid to gain a thorough understanding of resident's concerns. "The application has also been considered by a number of Council Committees and at an Extraordinary Council Meeting," Mayor Johnsen said.
He also stated that "The project represents a significant development for the Upper Hunter Shire and the inclusion of a visitor and education centre would have potential benefits for Upper Hunter businesses, while the construction phase would provide local economic benefits".
Mayor Johnsen referring to the submission indicated that "Council is supportive of renewable energy projects in principle - and these projects must not be implemented unless all potential impacts are identified and assessed," He acknowledged that the location of the wind turbines were along dominant ridge lines just 12km from Scone and visible to many, "to some members of the community they represent an industrial landscape which is in conflict with the image of the Upper Hunter, while to others they are a significant example that the Upper Hunter promotes the effective use of clean, renewable energy sources."
Council's submission makes 14 recommendations to the Department. The recommendations cover a range of matters including significant issues raised by the community such as; devaluation of properties, impact of traffic, noise, visual, bushfire and land clearing.
Mayor Johnsen said that "the submission from Council is comprehensive and anticipates that the Department of Planning will give close consideration to all matters raised in their assessment process, and that if an approval is issued for the Kyoto Energy Park, that the conditions of consent will reflect and adequately respond to the matters raised in Council's and other community members submissions"
A copy of Council's submission is available by clicking the link below.
Download document
Submission to Department of Planning - Kyoto Energy Park
Contact details
Upper Hunter Shire Council
Tel: 02 6540 1100
Fax: 02 6545 2671
council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
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