“The Answer My Friend is Blowin' in the Wind”…Or is It? Successful Local Opposition to a Proposed Windfarm Development in Regional Victoria

Abstract

Around the world, but particularly in Western Europe and North America, wind energy is being promoted strongly by turbine manufacturers, ‘green’ consumers, and some governments, as a significant potential alternative to electricity production from traditional, coal-fired, hydro or nuclear generating sources. As a consequence, many countries and states have embraced this technology with enthusiasm. At the same time, opposition to large-scale wind farms, especially in areas of high scenic amenity, is also growing in some countries. This article places this debate in the Australian context by focusing on renewable energy policy and successful local opposition to a proposed wind farm development near Portland, in Western Victoria. It is argued that this particular conflict has important lessons for future windfarm proposals in coastal settings elsewhere in Australia.