Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question. The senator may be aware that responsibility for wind farm approvals, including health impacts from noise, rests primarily with the states and local governments. The Commonwealth is involved only where wind farm proposals are likely to significantly impact on matters of national environmental significance. The Mt Gellibrand wind farm was referred to the environment department and was determined to not require approval, on 15 June 2005, as I think you indicated—some eight years ago. Minister Burke is aware of recent calls to call in the project or withdraw approval. Minister Burke has advised that these options are not available under national environmental law in the current circumstances. A reconsideration of the original decision could be made under section 78 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. However, any application for reconsideration must provide substantial new information that would warrant reconsideration of the original not-a-controlled-action decision.