State Government decision on planned Scott River Synergy wind farm won’t include council report

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River councillors will have no direct input on a key document used to inform the State Government’s decision about a contentious Synergy-backed wind farm proposed for Scott River. While it was known the wind farm would be determined by the sitting of a Regional Development Assessment Panel, recent reforms to the local government sector meant shire planners would submit recommendations that would not be considered by the council. Previously, in contentious items councillors have overturned the recommendation of planners and amended the Responsible Authority Report tendered to inform members of local sentiment around projects and guide the RDAP’s final decision. Any decision on the wind farm would include two councillors representing community views, but the RAR submission itself would be from staff alone. The Save the Scott River protest group was already against the proposal for wide-ranging reasons including negative consequences for their amenity and concerns about environmental impact. Spokesman Scott Baxter was on record voicing concerns about the shire’s ability to represent the Scott River community’s interests. Mr Baxter says the shire has a proven track record of backing the Augusta-Margaret River Clean Community Energy group which kickstarted the wind farm process last decade and needed to step down its RDAP delegates. Mr Baxter told the Times Cr Greg Boland — a former Greens candidate — and shire president Julia Jean-Rice — a former AMRCCE member — were ill-suited to represent the community. Shire chief executive Andrea Selvey said the pair were “selected on merit” and would “ensure our community’s voice is heard during decision-making”. “The State Government changed the rules on the DAP process earlier this year to require reports to the DAP to be made by staff only, meaning reports on matters being considered by the DAP cannot be presented to a council or committee meeting,” Ms Selvey said. “We will be inviting the community to share feedback as part of the development assessment process.” A Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage spokesperson said the shire would run consultation and the RDAP was independent and not undertaking separate consultation.