Embrace renewables
The campaign against wind and solar energy ignores climate change and the worldwide switch to renewable energy replacing the polluting alternatives. At the recent Mortlake meeting I attended, climate change did not feature at all. Those who deny its existence in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence are entitled to their views. They are also free to express a belief in the tooth fairy and Santa Claus. It's the far right faction of the Liberal Party led by Tony Abbott and One Nation that are actively opposed. They are aided by some Murdoch media commentators and Sydney shock jocks. While Moyne Shire councillor Jim Doukas says those who put the arguments against the Mount Fyans wind farm were ‘crystal clear about the facts’, no supporting written evidence was distributed to the meeting. A slide display was shown and included a claim the turbines would be taller than Mount Shadwell and also a graphic of a flock of birds about to be decimated by a turbine. These stretched credibility just a bit. In answer to a question about farm and property prices plummeting, an example of one property in the Portland area was offered as proof. Hardly conclusive. It was also said that prices sometimes fall then stabilise back to where they were. It was weak and arrogant of the Mt Fyans proponent to not attend . Local people should have any legitimate concerns addressed and Woolnorth was invited and missed an opportunity to put a case. However the attack on the state government by Cr Doukas ignores the mainly bipartisan renewable policies of the main parties both in Victoria and nationally. It’s clear to most that renewables are a cleaner and cheaper power source. Let's embrace them as essential for our damaged and fragile planet .
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Tony Delaney Warrnambool
Urgent action
Dan Tehan has never seen anything more disgraceful (than the power lines) in his eight years as an elected member (October 5). Has he been blind to the images of children in detention in Nauru, and the plight of the elderly waiting 12 months for funding for their care packages? Real human distress caused by Government inaction is the real disgrace, which demands urgent action.
Nick Thies, Warrnambool
We need a plan
South West Coast MP Roma Britnell seems to be putting the population cart before the sustainability horse. Making a population commission a Coalition election commitment, she pre-empts the proper work of such a body and advocates increasing the south-west's population before any responsible investigations. In a recent update, Mrs Britnell correctly stated: "What we need is a plan." Bravo! Ten years ago a plan was on the table to introduce a user-pays system for forestry and freight using the south west's roads and to upgrade rail. That plan has disappeared. Both the ALP and the Coalition have ignored sensible calls for a population policy. A big Australia is good for business. It's a cheats way making the economy grow without the hard work of policy. Unsustainable population growth from migration puts intolerable pressures on essential services, such as hospitals. We need a population policy, not what Mrs Britnell advocates, which will surely be political appointments to a body that's main job is to continue to serve the established parties' donation sources.
Frances Thompson, Nelson
Support windfarms
In response to your article on wind farms in Moyne shire (The Standard, September 28). It is exasperating the stupidity of people opposing wind farm development in Moyne Shire. We have a planet heading towards a temperature rise which is going to push our survival and the rest of the planet’s life forms to its limits. Europe is full of wind and solar farms all along the roads and railway tracks and in the farmland. They don't question the need to try to turn around temperature rise caused by us stupid humans. We've done the damage, we've got to fix it. Where is the evidence wind farms have any effect on brolgas’ survival and what on earth is their effect on fighting fires? Unless there is solid evidence to support these flimsy, wild assertions. Moyne Shire councillors should wholeheartedly support wind farm development. Our leaders should not be cowered by ignorance.
Don Stewart, Port Fairy
