The erection of hundreds of wind turbines across Western Australia’s agricultural heartland has communities questioning how fairly the state government is managing their rapid spread.
More than 600 turbines will soon be a feature of the landscape across farming country south-east of Perth, as part of the government’s target of 2,000 megawatts of renewable power over the next five years.
With the developments representing a fundamental shift in how the area’s land is being used, leaders from a number of the communities fear they are being left out of key elements of the decision-making process.
While the New South Wales and Queensland governments have established rules governing how renewable energy proponents interact with communities, WA is yet to establish a similar framework.
Regional councils in WA are seeing an influx of renewable energy proposals. (ABC News: Charles Brice)
Uneven playing field
Long-term Darkan farmer Karlene Goss said the first news she had of the development near her community was a business card left on her kitchen table.
“This is a billion-dollar industry, a billion-dollar project,” the former West Arthur Shire councillor said.
“As farmers, we’re busy running our farms, we’re trying to help power the state.
“Where is the guidebook? Where is the downloadable policy document we can follow? Because we haven’t got time to make our own.”
Karlene Goss says there is a significant power imbalance between locals and energy companies. (ABC Great Southern: Mark Bennett)
She said the playing field between locals and the energy companies backing the developments was not a fair one, and the government had an obligation to assist.
“That’s what I want from the WA government … a minimum sort of commonsense ground rules of how to make sure you can minimally impact the community, our farmland, the environment and our health,” Ms Goss said.
She also said local governments had been left to do much of the heavy lifting of bringing the state government, energy companies and local representatives to the table.
Testing towers monitor wind conditions around existing and proposed wind farm sites. (ABC Great Southern: Mark Bennett)
Communities want benefits, protection
While all parties recognise the importance of energy generation, the process has proven particularly complex for the area’s small shire councils.
Community leaders who spoke to the ABC wanted clarity on the overall economic benefits for the smaller towns, as well as legal protections for landholders impacted by the towers.
Phillip Blight says there is too much secrecy involved in the proposal and development processes. (ABC Great Southern: Mark Bennett)
“It’s a process that’s happened by stealth,” Wagin Shire President Phillip Blight said.
“What we certainly do know is if there is any approach, the first thing talked about is confidentiality; don’t discuss amongst neighbours.
“What leaves you wondering; what’s to be withheld from the broader community?”
The uncertainty has led the shire to open direct negotiations with one company, a process still in its early stages.
Fifty kilometres north in Narrogin, Shire President Leigh Ballard said he was conscious of the change to the landscape.
“Some people love them, and some people hate them,” he said.
“We, and every regional town, want development; but we want the development to be long-lasting for the community and improve the community.
“That’s what, I suppose, we’re nervous about.”
Clock ticking for coal power
Powering WA is the state government authority that was set up to establish the required network of renewable energy infrastructure.
“The reality is our coal timelines are set … and ultimately we need the new generation, the wind energy in particular, ahead of that,” the government’s coordinator of energy Jai Thomas said.
“This is a generational change and something that … we acknowledge we won’t get universal love for.
“But we are really seeking good understanding and good acceptance of in the communities that will host this.”
Jai Thomas says the development process needs to be collaborative. (ABC Great Southern: Mark Bennett)
At a community forum in Darkan late last year, Mr Thomas was queried on issues as broad as fire mitigation, decommissioning and land access rules.
While he acknowledged the perception of “haves and have-nots” within each community, he said there was a wider general benefit for each town.
“This isn’t like the mining sector, where royalties are derived from digging commodities out of the ground,” he said.
“So the community benefits frameworks really help make sure local community issues and opportunities can be taken advantage of.”
Mr Thomas said the process would remain a collaborative effort, with government, energy companies and communities working to achieve the best possible result.
