About 100 protestors, which included those opposing the proposed wind farm at the Sedan Ranges near Keyneton, joined at the steps of parliament to share their views on wind farms and the introduction of the statewide wind farms Development Plan Amendment (DPA).

A member of the Eastern Mt Lofty Ranges Landscape Guardians (EMLRLG) said protestors travelled from the Barossa, Mid North and South East to attend.

Later that evening a public hearing was held at The Mecure Grosvenor in Adelaide where 25 verbal submissions were presented regarding the DPA.

Minister for Urban Planning John Rau is expected to have the final say regarding the DPA process at a later date.

According to Barossa Council’s senior manager for Planning Services Louis Monteduro, who spoke at the meeting, it was an opportunity for the council to express their concerns over the reforms.

The council say the DPA contravenes the intent of the protection legislation of the Barossa Valley. Mr Monteduro explained to the Development Panel Advisory Committee that the protection legislation is trying to steer away from industry and urban sprawl.

The Local Government Association and chairperson of the EMLRLG Tony Walker also spoke recommending the process be stopped.

Mr Walker said the DPA is flawed.

His submission focused on the premise “If wind farm energy is essential - for every 100mw of wind farmed, fossil fuel also has to be there for new or existing wind farms”.

“I looked at a few of them (wind farms) logically and you can’t actually say carbon is not used, so the Co2 emissions don’t stack up,” Mr Walker said.

While Light Regional Council did not attend the hearing, they provided a response to the Minister after considering the DPA in November 2011.

The council said, while they have not seen a Development Application for wind farm development, it expects there may be some interest in this type of development in its district in the future.

Verbal submissions made will be placed with submissions to be heard at Port Lincoln and Naracoorte and Peterborough, and a report will be prepared for the Minister for consideration.

In other news Light Regional Council will recommend this Wednesday during their ordinary meeting for DP Energy Australia to place a 60 metres pole for wind monitoring at Mosey Road, Bagot Well.

The applicant seeks consent to construct the monitoring mast for about three years.

Council stressed the proposal does not involve the development of a wind farm, just a single mast to monitor wind speeds in the region.