Minister Nick Duigan FAILS to justify destroying Northwest Tasmania with proposed 3000+ wind turbines

On 8th July 2024 Minister for Energy & Renewables, Parks & Environment, Nick Duigan, replied to a concerned citizen's letter about the proposed up to 3000 turbine REZ (Renewable Energy Zone) and attempted to justify the state Government's plan to destroy the prime agricultural and wilderness areas of Northwest Tasmania. 

 

In this letter he -

a) Failed to understand or properly acknowledge the impact to wildlife and the environment of this proposal for a gigantic wind factory. There was no mention of environmental impact assessments, just a vague statement about "...important flora and fauna..."

b) Failed to put forward a valid reason for the destruction of this area of outstanding natural beauty and vital food growing zone. More energy is not a reason.

c) Failed to justify why the netzero emissions goal was even necessary. (we already produce plenty of energy for our own state's needs through hydro).

d) Failed to justify why Tasmania should invest BILLIONS in a 'green' energy plan that will cost Tasmanians even more for their power. Exporting power to other states is not a reason.

e) Failed to explain how the process that commenced in 2022 "...identified areas around the state that met these objectives." By what criteria? Who decided?

f) Failed to explain how "...existing land uses, important flora and fauna and cultural and aboriginal heritage..." would be protected if this ill-conceived, over-inflated proposal is pushed through. How can you protect anything from up to 3000 turbines in a confined area, where PEOPLE live and work? Where tourists flock to witness wilderness? Where the delicate ecological balance is already fraught? Where species of rare animals face extinction?

g) Failed to even consider other ways in which "...decarbonsation of our state..." could be achieved, ie: regenerative farming practices, which increase soil stable carbon and completely neutralise the need for 'green' energy to achieve netzero.

h). Failed to understand or even conceive of the fact that wind and solar will require even MORE mining of earth's minerals than burning coal and gas. That these machines are not recyclable, are toxic to humans and environment and are INEFFICIENT.

BUT, he did -

a) hint that laws are currently being drafted to Parliament which will ensure the government can do what they like to our lands - "to create the framework to allow REZ to be declared in Tasmania." What if we don't want REZs to be declared? Anywhere on our island? Once it is law, well, you can see where this is going.

b) threaten that without a declared REZ "...developers could still build energy infrastructure in these regions, subject to approvals. However there would be no obligation for them to return benefits to the community..." Why, oh why, would the Government allow such developments if the citizens of Tasmania would not benefit from it? What governing body could be so incompetent? 

c) Offer this smooth lie - that "...REZs are about saving Tasmanians money and ensuring communities prosper should they accommodate renewable energy projects in a declared zone." No, these zones are about spending huge amounts of taxpayers' money on massive construction projects in conjunction with private enterprise for the sole purpose of making money for private enterprise. Destroying farmland does not increase prosperity.

 

Minister Duigan promises that the Government "won't be recklessly declaring a REZ." But that is exactly what they are doing. The community at large DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PROPOSED REZ. Apart from farmers and landowners I speak to, NO ONE in the towns knows about this proposal. There are no radio advertisements alerting residents to the public consultations meetings, no TV ads, no letterbox flyers. Nothing. Oh, except for announcements on their website.

This is how renewable energy projects get slipped through, with little or no resistance - the community at large does not know they are happening. Sure, consultation has been extended - only because the residents at the meeting in June DEMANDED it. None of the significant questions were answered. No one in authority had information to answer them and delivered the standard response - "I'll take that on notice." Which means "I'll dither about and fob you off to other departments and illusive 'experts' until you give up."

Nick Duigan's grasp of the situation is laughable. And his letter shows an arrogant disdain for Tasmanian's concerns. He provides no facts, no substantial reasons, other than the netzero argument, which is fatally flawed. Nick Duigan, so far, is a joke.

 

On a side note - surely being a minister for both Energy and Renewables as well as Parks and Environment is a conflict of interest?????

Blog Girl