THE major project declaration for the Myponga/Sellicks Hill Wind Farm in South Australia has been revoked, according to the minister for urban development and Planning Paul Holloway.
Mr Holloway says TrustPower has declined to proceed with the wind farm as approved in November 2003, despite being given a deadline of September 2010 to begin substantial construction work.
“The TrustPower project comprising 20 x 100-metre high wind turbines was initially approved more than seven years ago,” he says.
“Since then the Government has declined a request by TrustPower to significantly vary the approval to increase the height and power output of the turbines and reduce their number.
“In 2009, the company was given a 12-month deadline to begin construction or risk having the declaration revoked.
“After more than seven years of delays it is no longer appropriate to grant further extensions to this development approval and so the Governor has revoked this major project declaration.
“The Governor’s final step in the development assessment following last September’s deadline ends a protracted legal process that has been conducted between the proponent and the Government.
“South Australia leads Australia in the development of wind power and the Rann Government continues to encourage the development of wind farms in suitable locations, as set out in the planning strategy.
“South Australia has a goal of deriving 33 per cent of the state’s power generation from renewable energy by 2020.”
