Short timeframe on Environmental Protection Authority referral comment quizzed by Scott River wind farm group

Critics of a proposed Synergy wind farm at Scott River were left gobsmacked last week when public consultation to determine whether it needed further assessment opened for just seven days. The WA’s Environmental Protection Authority consultation opened on Wednesday last week, and closed on October 15. Save the Scott River co-convenor Scott Baxter said the utmost regard had to be paid to the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. “The project area contains nationally recognised EPBC-listed ecological communities within the project boundary and right beside the contaminated Beenup mine site — a location already known for acid-sulphate soils and groundwater issues,” the farmer and winemaker said. “The community has had almost no time or opportunity to respond, and this rushed process risks repeating the environmental failures of the past. “We urge the EPA to apply its highest level of assessment so this landscape is properly protected.” The initial comment period was to determine next steps, but the group was concerned the short timeframe meant that decision could be hurried. EPA chair Darren Walsh said the agency had no statutory requirement to consult on the wind farm referral, but considered it standard practice and “a useful tool in its decision-making process”. The Environmental Protection Act 1986 required the agency to decide whether it would comprehensively assess proposals within 28 days of receiving a referral, and the seven-day period was designed to help with that timeframe. “After the public comment period closes … the EPA will consider any submissions and advice obtained and make a determination on whether or not to assess the proposal, and if so, the level of assessment,” Mr Walsh said. “If the EPA decides to assess the proposal, there may be a more extensive public review period during the assessment.”