Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Minister for Energy

Wednesday 26th May 2010

Answers Needed on Musselroe Wind Farm

Energy Minister Bryan Green must explain when works would begin again on the stalled $400 million Musselroe wind farm project.

The North East community has been hit desperately hard by the stalling of this project, the crisis in the forestry industry and the slowdown in tourism.

The legislation to establish an Australia-wide framework for renewable energy certificates won't come into effect until 1 Jan 2011, meaning that the North East community is once again apparently on hold until the effect of this legislation on the market is known.

This is not good enough. If the Labor-Green Government believes that the Rudd Government has fixed the problem, they need to commit to getting this project off the ground.

I understand from my discussions with the Dorset Council that the local community has been seeking answers from the Labor-Green Government on this issue and as yet no response has been received.

The community deserves a response and given the challenging times we face, the Labor-Green Government must provide them with answers on this crucial $400 million project which would create jobs and grow the northern economy.