Member for Western Victoria David Koch yesterday called on the Federal Government to review the approval process for wind farms.

He said the existing community consultation process was inadequate and developers were not being flexible about the placement of turbines.

``I don't know how we can best address the situation but there has got to be a better way,'' he said.

``There should not be the conflicts there are surrounding wind farm developments.''

Mr Koch said he was not opposed to green power.

He said he believed the placement of wind turbines needed to be considered carefully, especially when the developments were close to houses and essential services.

The Cobden Aero Club appealed to the developer of the Naroghid Wind Farm to move four of its turbines further west of the air strip. Club spokesman Duncan Morris said it wanted the developer to meet the same requirements as a licensed air strip.

``If this was Warrnambool airport you would not be able to build turbines within one kilometre of our extended flight corridor,'' he said.

``We are not a licensed airstrip. We are an authorised landing area.

``If they are allowed to put those obstacles there we will never be able to be upgraded to a licensed airstrip, that option would be taken away from us.''

The south-west has 17 approved wind farms and 21 in the pipeline.

Mr Koch said there needed to be greater transparency from developers during the planning process.

In Parliament, he highlighted the plight of Waubra couple Victor and Trish Godfrey.

Acciona Energy told the Godfreys a couple of turbines might be placed near their western boundary, he said.

``The Godfreys believed Acciona Energy's reassurance that their property would be minimally affected.

``Today there are 65 wind towers in close proximity to the Godfreys' property, some about 500 metres away.

``They also have transmission lines on their boundary, the establishment of which was never discussed with them.''

Mr Koch said local government needed greater powers during the planning process for alternative power developments.

``The local community and local government in particular need a greater degree of participation without the fear of the state planning minister calling in these projects and ticking them off.

``It is absolutely absurd that turbines be placed in flight corridors and in close proximity to people's homes.''