Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Energy spokesperson
In a time of climate crisis, we need renewable energy to rapidly transition from fossil fuels. Fortunately, a suite of renewable options are now available across the country, and we need to ensure the placement of developments don’t come at the cost of irreplaceable natural and cultural values.
Governments can do this without putting endangered species, fragile biodiverse ecosystems, and Aboriginal heritage at risk.
There are a number of questions that remain unanswered about the government’s Renewable Energy Zones process.
We are concerned there has been no consultation to date with the Aboriginal community or conservationists, despite the government already undertaking a “detailed examination of how a future REZ may overlap with other land uses”.
We also understand the Liberals have asked the Parks and Wildlife Service to identify and grade all the land under their control for renewables. That land is Tasmania’s reserve estate. How can our protected areas be graded for large-scale development?
The Energy Minister is looking at the creation of REZs from an individual landholder financial lens, but appears to be missing cumulative and wholistic landscape-level impacts.
We call on the Minister to confirm there will be a fair planning process for these projects, and rule out fast-tracking legislation.
The government is preparing REZ to guide potentially enormous developments, which would have profound impacts on our social and ecological landscape. The community must have a genuine say about these proposals.