Green Form

Green Form Scott Baxter
Environmental Conservation
Margaret River Region, Western Australia
Save the Scott River, No Wind Turbines

Ryan Adams at the Astor
04/10/2025

Ryan Adams at the Astor

Before the sand makes its way back for summer… the colours really pop on the exposed shoreline
02/10/2025

Before the sand makes its way back for summer… the colours really pop on the exposed shoreline

There’s a house at the end of the road, with a little red door that’s been sharing stories for more than a century — Cap...
01/10/2025

There’s a house at the end of the road, with a little red door that’s been sharing stories for more than a century — Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

Synergy is poised to lodge a formal application to build a contentious wind farm in Scott River and nearby residents are...
28/09/2025

Synergy is poised to lodge a formal application to build a contentious wind farm in Scott River and nearby residents are urging others to stand with them in opposing the project.

A spokesperson for the utility this week said plans to lodge formal applications were detailed to residents as part of open forums to discuss the wind farm feasibility study earlier this month.

“Synergy will be referring the proposed wind farm to the Environmental Protection Authority and to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, as well as submitting a development approval application to the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and Regional Development Assessment Panel,” they said. “Public comment periods will be advertised via the respective authorities.”

As part of the feasibility study, Synergy had completed wide-ranging assessments including Aboriginal heritage, flora and vegetation, electromagnetic interference, social values, environmental impacts and bushfire management.

Wind farm opponent and Scott River farmer Scott Baxter was already highly critical of the project and argued late-in-the-day efforts by the shire to put together a renewable energy policy to help prepare for the joint assessment were deeply flawed.

On behalf of wind farm opponents, he lodged a petition with more than 1300 signatures this week as well as feedback on the shire’s proposed policy and its issues and options paper which he argued was too narrow to cover the complex issue.

“The (Synergy) sessions offered no actual consultation, new information or clarity,” Mr Baxter told the Times.

“Local residents’ concerns about acid-sulphate soils, noise and infrasound, ecological impacts, property values, and compensation remain unanswered.

“The mood across the meetings was one of mounting frustration: glossy presentations, but no substantive responses. It’s how they do business.”

The farmer said strong and consistent feedback from Augusta, Molloy Island and surrounds was for Synergy to withdraw the project.

“Outside the project boundary, residents are excluded from any benefit while carrying all the risk,” he said.

Scenes from the west coast
24/09/2025

Scenes from the west coast

On the rocks…
23/09/2025

On the rocks…

⏰ Time is running out! We have been meeting with politicians and policymakers for more than three years seeking change t...
16/09/2025

⏰ Time is running out!

We have been meeting with politicians and policymakers for more than three years seeking change to the State Renewable Energy Policy framework — with little success. Now is the time to make your voice heard, with such an important project decision about to be made.

The Augusta Margaret River Shire has released an Issues and Options Paper to help shape a future Renewable Energy Local Planning Policy. This is our chance as a community to have a say on what should (and shouldn’t) be included.

Right now, state planning policy is outdated — written more than a decade ago, when turbines were a third the size they are today. It leaves residents, farmland, and biodiversity without adequate protections on critical issues such as noise, shadow flicker, setbacks, and long-term land use.

AMR Shire’s new policy will guide how future large-scale renewable energy projects are assessed — and with a development application for a wind factory (wind farm) expected soon, it’s vital that our voices are heard now.

Community consultation closes 5.00pm Friday, 19 September 2025.

👉 Complete the short survey online:
https://yoursay.amrshire.wa.gov.au/renewable-energy-local-planning-policy

👉 Or email your submission to: amrshire.wa.gov.au
👉 Or deliver in person to the Margaret River or Augusta Shire Offices

If you’d like help filling it in, or would like to see my responses as a guide, send me a direct message and I’ll email them through.

Let’s make sure the Scott River and Augusta communities are heard loud and clear and we protect what matters most, our beautiful environment and biodiversity.

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Margaret River, WA

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