Today’s announcement that coal mining will be allowed to continue at Anglesea is possibly the worst in a long list of bad environmental decisions since the Baillieu government was elected, according to Friends of the Earth.

In late August, the Baillieu government implemented new planning rules which  place large sections of Victoria off-limits to wind farm developments through the creation of No Go zones, and set in place a 2 kilometre ‘right of veto’, whereby a single household can block any turbines within 2 kilometres of their home.

It appears that this has already threatened up to $525 million in investment and up to 1,400 jobs.

In recent months there has been a growing debate across Victoria about renewable energy projects. Wind farms, the proposed solar plants in the North West, and a range of geothermal investigations have both enthused and angered many in the community.

In response to these developments, Friends of the Earth has set up a website that seeks to engage the community on proposed renewable energy projects.

The Abbott government’s announcement of yet another review of wind energy and health is unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer money.

MEDIA RELEASE

Friends of the Earth welcomes the Victorian Premier’s official endorsement of the Macarthur wind farm today. Premier Napthine’s attendance at the opening of Australia’s largest wind farm signals a shift on wind energy.

MEDIA RELEASE

Victoria’s new Premier Denis Napthine reaffirmed the government’s opposition to wind farms this morning in an interview with ABC Radio’s Jon Faine.

Friends of the Earth media release.

Ted Baillieu's resignation today presents the Coalition with the opportunity to dump the former-Premiers regressive anti-wind farm laws.

Help replace Australia's dirtiest coal-fired power station with renewable energy.
Hazelwood Power Station is the embodiment of Australia's failure to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Relative to its power output, it's one of the most polluting power stations in the world.

The community protest at Hazelwood held on sunday, 10/10/10, as part of the International Day of Climate Action, was a great success.

The state government has recently announced that it will cut our greenhouse emissions by 20% by 2020. This is a good start to begin the transition we need to build a low carbon future, but climate science tells us we must go much further.

So, how can we get there?

Find out at ourt free public forum, South Melbourne, Wed September 1.

For the past 8 years environmentalist Brendan Condon has been working to build Australia’s first zero carbon housing project at Cape Paterson near Wonthaggi. This  Ecovillage will build 200 highly sustainable houses.

Recently the project hit an eleventh hour hurdle with an independent planning panel. Please write a letter of support for this project.