MOORABOOL ratepayers could be hit with a 1 per cent surcharge if new state laws on wind farms are introduced.
Mayor Pat Toohey said the council was ill-equipped to deal with amendments to the Planning and Environment Act, which he said shifted responsibility of administering and enforcing wind farm permits onto councils.
“It creates an extra impost on an already very tight budget,” he said.
“It shouldn’t fall to ratepayers.
“We don’t want to be done over in a cost-shifting exercise.”
The surcharge would equate to an extra 1 per cent on top of existing rates.
Municipal Association of Victoria president Bill McArthur said the new legislation may cause “significant financial and capacity challenges”.
However, he was pleased Energy Minister Michael O’Brien had offered to provide expert assistance to councils when required.
Moorabool Council has recently applied for an extension for works on the Lal Lal wind farm.
No works have begun since a permit was approved in April 2009.
—Ben Cameron
