SUBMIT AN OBJECTION TO THE PLANNING APPLICATION
Written submissions are due by January 30, 2010 and must be sent to the Minister for Planning, C/- Planning Panels Victoria, Level 1, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, VIC 3002. You can view the planning applications for the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm on their website (Click Here). This is your chance to have your concerns heard regarding this project and can also make a presentation to the planning panel (or advisory committee). Please download the sample objections on the left to assist you.
Planning Panels Victoria
A 4 member panel has been set up by Panels Victoria to hear submissions and make recommendations to the Minister regarding the planning application. Planning Panels are supposed to facilitate public participation in the planning and environmental decision-making process. They play an advisory role and make recommendations in a “Planning Panel Report” for the Minister for Planning. The Minister for Planning may or may not accept the recommendations of the panel in his final decision regarding the wind facility. The panel members will take a very detailed tour of the proposed site during the panel hearing and may visit submitter's sites if they deem it necessary or desirable (i.e., to look at visual amenity).
Panel Hearings
If you lodge a submission/objection to the planning permit application, Planning Panels Victoria will ask you if you would like to appear in person at the panel hearings. They are required to provide a reasonable opportunity for people to be heard at the hearing. Basically, you must be notified of forthcoming hearings, be asked if you want to be heard, be provided an opportunity to be heard, have your submission taken into account as part of the Panels deliberation. You also have the right to representation, and your submission and attendance at the hearing must be acknowledged in the Panel Report.
More Information about the Planning Process
Visit the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) website:
1. Policy and Planning Guidelines for Development of Wind Energy Facilities in Victoria. Available from DPCD website - Planning, Planning Permits, Permit Types, Wind Energy Facilities.
2. Planning Information is available on the DPCD website, including the Planning and Environmental Act 1987, Planning and Environmental Regulations 1998, Using Victoria’s Planning Scheme November 2007. Planning: A Short Guide, and information about Planning Panels Victoria (What is a Panel?).
3. Wind Projects in Victoria list is available on Department of Primary Industries website. Note this only shows proposed projects that have submitted preliminary or full planning applications - many other projects are in the feasibility stage.
Information about Planning Schemes
The Pyrenees Planning Scheme is the instrument by which the use and development of land within the Shire is controlled with the object of ensuring orderly and economic growth of the community. The Planning Scheme plays an important role in the decision-making process and must be taken into consideration – this could include zoning and overlays for environmental significance, heritage significance, flood, fire etc. Council has updated its planning scheme and this is available at the Shire Office for perusal, it is also available on DPCD website.
Attending other Panel Hearings
The public may attend Panel hearings for other wind facilities – they are open to everyone. Contact Planning Panels Victoria for a schedule of panel hearings on Ph: 9637 9690 or email: planning.panels@dpcd.vic.gov.au
Panel Reports
Panel Reports from past panels are easily found on the internet. They can provide a lot of information about how the panel reviews submissions. Search by the name of the wind facility e.g., “Waubra Wind Farm Panel Report” or "Oaklands Wind Farm Panel Report".
OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO
WRITE TO THE LOCAL COUNCIL ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS
Stephen Cornish CEO, Pyrenees Shire Council, 5 Lawrence Street, Beaufort, 3373
WRITE TO THE STATE MEMBER FOR RIPON ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS
Joe Helper MP, Minister for Agriculture, PO Box 175, Maryborough VIC 3465 Email: joe.helper@parliament.vic.gov.au
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