Media Release

KAP Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has joined Dalrymple MP Shane Knuth and Tablelands Regional Councillor Marjori Pagani in demanding an end to the torture of residents who might live next door to a wind farm.

Their call follows another request by the Mount Emerald wind farm developers for an extension of time to lodge information required by the council to decide whether the project should proceed.

The Thai developers of the controversial project have spent more than 18 months delaying handing over information about impacts on the environment as well as impacts on the farms, homes and health of 3000 residents.

“I hope and plead with the Council to stand their ground on this. People are living from day-to-day at the moment and that is just not good enough,” said Mr Katter.

“There are serious implications of the noise levels for Mareeba and Atherton Heights, as we refer to this area – development and growth will be stopped dead in its tracks.

“And I’m no greenie, but there’s a 20km barrier that will kill every bird flying through.

“Meanwhile, the turbulence created will make crop spraying almost impossible. And we’ll be locked into high cost generation charges. “

Dalrymple MP Shane Knuth said he was shocked at reports the Federal Member for Leichardt supported the project.

“I’ve had gutful of the LNP outfit expressing their views to back overseas companies while being invisible to dialogue with affected residents about local projects that have nothing to do with them,” said Mr Knuth.

“The reality is that residents of the Tablelands are not going to benefit one iota from this project as the money will go overseas whilst Tablelanders will suffer the severe health effects of massive wind turbines.

“I urge the Tablelands Council to hold their ground, as is this not going to be a win – but an eyesore coupled with health issues.”

Tablelands Regional Councillor Marjorie Pagani warned the project had cast a dark cloud over residents – including herself – whose lives had been forced into limbo while they awaited a final decision.

“The uncertainty around this project is destroying residents’ lives,” said Cr Pagani.

“There are 3000 residents whose properties and livelihoods and possibly health will be affected by these turbines.”

Cr Pagani said it was disgraceful that developers had still not conducted proper surveying or community consultation.

“A few years back, they surveyed three people within a 5km range. They then advertised on their website that they had support of the Tablelands residents. Three people do not make up the Tablelands and the developers have certainly not conducted any further surveys,” she said.

“What they fail to realise is that people can’t sell their homes, they can’t develop their farms, and they can’t get on with their lives.”

Mr Katter said he, Mr Knuth and Cr Pagani would fight to ensure the incoming Mareeba Shire Council understood there were no benefits for the region if the project proceeds.

“Rest assured, this project will provide virtually no jobs and it will hack into our pristine environment while disrupting our farming very seriously and the noise will make life extremely unhappy for everyone in that area,” said Mr Katter.

“This developer needs to put up, or shut up and go away.” Mr Katter said.

 

PHOTO: (From left) Shane Knuth, Marjori Pagani, Bob Katter and Robbie Watkins.