Wind farm sentiment positive: CEC survey

A survey of 1200 people in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia has identified that two-thirds of participants believe that a farmer’s rights to generate income from wind turbines is more worthy than the right to turbine-free views.
The phone poll carried out by independent research company QDOS for the Clean Energy Council is the most extensive poll carried out in the last five years according to the Clean Energy Council.
Mr Russell Marsh, Policy Director of the Clean Energy Council said, “The majority of people surveyed agreed that wind farms bring income to farmers and local businesses, and that governments shouldn’t get in the way of this.”
Key results of the survey were:
77 per cent of those polled supported wind farm developments, with 13 per cent against and 10 per cent either undecided or “can’t say”.
75 per cent agreed with the statement that “Generating electricity through wind farms is a good idea in Australia”, while 16 per cent disagreed.
60 per cent agreed that placing restrictions on wind farm growth meant missing out on opportunities to support our own wind farm manufacturing industry, while 25 per cent disagreed. 15 per cent were unsure or in-between.
77 per cent felt that local communities and land owners should be able to make up their own minds about wind farms, with less interference from state politicians. 15 per cent disagreed.
71 per cent agreed that, as a general rule, farmers should have the right to do whatever they want on their land, while 22 per cent disagreed.
Two-thirds of those surveyed (66 per cent) felt government should not be able to tell farmers what they can and can’t do on their land. 22 per cent disagreed and 12 per cent were unsure or in-between.
80 per cent felt it was likely or very likely that wind farms would provide important income for farmers and other land owners. 11 per cent thought it was unlikely.
75 per cent of those polled agreed with the statement “Farmers are doing it tough and wind farms will provide many of them with a vital source of income”. 13 per cent disagreed.
Two-thirds (67 per cent) of people rated “A farmer’s right to generate income from his/her land” more important than “A resident’s right to a view clear of wind turbines” (19 per cent).
The full results are available in a report at www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au.