Whitewash On Wind Farm Health Concers

Victorian Landscape Guardians Inc.

20 November 2009

PRESS RELEASE-------Health Effects of Wind Turbines

VLG fears Holding whitewash on wind farm health concerns

"The VLG is gravely concerned that the Victorian government is conning the Victorian people and the Parliament with its so called inquiry into the health effects of wind turbines, established after pressure from Peter Kavanagh MLC," the President of the VLG Randall Bell said today.

On 14 October, Mr Holding advised Parliament that:

"...WorkSafe has commenced work with DHS and the EPA and will work with local government and relevant individuals to identify potential hazards related to the issues raised by Mr. Kavanagh."

The VLG wrote to Mr Holding on 16 October applauding this Government initiative and seeking the opportunity to participate in the work of the inquiry. In particular, the VLG sought:

Information on the working group which is undertaking this work, including its members, and their qualifications ( including the names of the relevant individuals mentioned in your response to Parliament)

Input into the development of appropriate terms of reference for the work being undertaken

The names and qualifications of all scientific experts who are being used on this inquiry

The opportunity both to make written submissions and to appear to give evidence before the inquiry in public hearings

A moratorium on any decisions on new wind farms until this work has been satisfactorily completed and its findings incorporated into binding guidelines.

"Despite the vital importance of this issue to thousands of country Victorians, there has been absolute silence from Mr Holding for the past month. The shutters are up: no-one knows what is happening with this inquiry; no-one has been invited to contribute.

"If Mr. Holding wants any credibility with working families and rural communities, he must come clean immediately," Mr Bell said.

Contact: RANDALL J. BELL President

Copies of Mr. Kavanagh's original request, Mr. Holding's response and the VLG letter to Mr. Holding are available from Bill Forwood at CPR Communications on 0427 052 945, or [email protected]

L4, 117 Myers Street, Geelong 3220. Box 292 Geelong 3220. T. 03.52217955. F. 03.52213238. [email protected]


SOURCE: Victorian Landscape Guardians