Judge seeks clarity in legal challenge against Hydro Tasmania 600-MW wind farm

Nov 1, 2013 - Justice Duncan Kerr today said that the No TasWind Farm group’s legal battle against Hydro Tasmania’s 600-MW wind project on King Island was "sprawling" and "inarticulate".

The Federal Court judge ordered the opposing organisation and the Australia-based hydro and wind power company to meet to discuss the matter in order to clarify the scope of their dispute. The parties will be returning to court later in November.

Hydro Tasmania’s TasWind wind park is to comprise about 200 turbines with an annual output of some 2,400 GWh. Early this summer the company said that it would proceed to the feasibility study stage if the project was backed by 60% of King Island's adult residents. Later, in a survey launched among local residents and landowners, TasWind secured the support of nearly 59% which Hydro Tasmania said was enough for the feasibility assessment to go ahead. The No TasWind Farm organisation, whose ultimate goal is stop the project, says that the wind farm did not get the needed support from locals.

According to Justice Duncan Kerr the legal dispute between the project developer and No TasWind Farm could turn out to be a waste of too much time and money if the claims are not narrowed.

Hydro Tasmania today said that its feasibility study, which is already in progress, would not be negatively impacted by the legal proceedings.

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