Opinion Articles

How close is “too close” for a 300-metre tall wind turbine?

There are moments in public policy when you read a document, glance at the date, and briefly wonder whether someone has accidentally fed the printer a filing from another era. The Western Australian Planning Commission’s draft Renewable Energy Planning Code is one such moment. Released for public comment at the end of 2025, it poses a question of pressing contemporary relevance: how close to your house should a 300-metre-tall wind turbine be built? This would

Trevor Whittington February 17, 2026

Submissions

Draft Renewable Energy Planning Code – Submission to the WAPC

Draft Renewable Energy Planning Code Submission to the Western Australian Planning Commission Executive Summary This submission responds to the Draft Renewable Energy Planning Code released for public consultation in December 2025. It focuses on wind energy facilities and large-scale solar developments in rural and agricultural areas, and is grounded in established principles of property law, nuisance, and planning discretion. The draft Code adopts a lowest-common-denominator approach to setbacks, noise, shadow flicker, and visual amenity. It

Darren Brown February 1, 2026

Opinion Articles

“Everything you said I could challenge”

On January 1 in the Farm Weekly, I committed the unpardonable sin of writing an opinion. Yes, I know — shocking behaviour. More specifically, I questioned whether Australia’s apprenticeship system, particularly for ag heavy diesel technicians, is actually delivering what it claims to deliver. Some readers may recall the piece How to Jump-Start the Next Generation of Ag Technicians, if I may say so it’s worth a read or reread. Shortly after publication, I received

Trevor Whittington January 22, 2026

Opinion Articles

How to jump-start the next generation of ag technicians

If you want a competent technician who can diagnose a John Deere header that has ground to a stop, fault-find a CAN-bus issue on a Case tractor, or re-loom the electrics on a Claas baler, the Australian training system offers you exactly one answer: a four-year apprenticeship. It does not matter how capable the kid is. It does not matter if they grew up rebuilding engines in the shed. It does not matter if they

Trevor Whittington January 1, 2026

Opinion Articles

The last letter, the last coin, the last dial

If you want to measure the real speed of modern change, don’t look at the size and complexity of new headers or how Al is every student’s best friend. Look instead at the three oldest bits of civic infrastructure we all grew up with: the post office, the banknote and the landline. All three are being shut down in real time. And the countries doing it aren’t fringe outliers – they’re the sensible, efficient northern

Trevor Whittington December 24, 2025

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