DEAR News Of The Area,
I WRITE in response to the Opinion piece of July 14 that stated most farmers support renewable energy.
The statistics quoted as being representative of the various regions do not clarify if only farmers were asked for their opinion.
Given the rapid growth of farmer-based groups in opposition to industrial renewable energy precincts it seems unlikely that only farmers have been asked, which skews the data.
If Farmers for Climate action represents 8000 farmers across Australia, then they are representing approximately 8 per cent of farmers.
This is certainly not MOST farmers.
The statement that hosting solar and wind projects is entirely voluntary completely disregards the fact that other infrastructure required by the renewable energy rollout such as transmission lines, BESS’s, temporary workers complexes etc are being forced on farmers without their consent.
There is also evidence that planning for wind turbines has been submitted to State planning without the consent of landholders.
Sweeping generalisations and skewed statistics do not benefit anyone.
I would suggest that anyone who wants to know what farmers really think about industrial renewable precincts should ask some farmers.
Regards,
Kate Mackaway,
Walcha.
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