Peter Campion, Amber Pederson & Hon Mark Banasiak MLC on The Vikki Campion Show - 05 August 2024

GUEST 1 OVERVIEW: Amber Pedersen’s family’s multigenerational lifestyle property is located in Yarrabin near Mudgee, NSW. Amber became aware of Ark Energy (Korea Zinc)’s Burrendong Wind Farm proposal, which includes several 250m high turbines towering up to 670m above the level of their house. The proposal also involves conservation-zoned land and koala habitat—Burrendong is an Aboriginal word for koala.

Initially, Amber and her neighbors started Burrendong SOS (Save Our Surroundings) through local letterbox drops, which now comprises over 70 landowners, residents, and farmers, representing over 200 family members. Amber discovered that their property is within the 20,000 sq km Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, forcing families, farmers, and animals to live within a "modern-day power station" without their knowledge or consent. She joined forces with and became co-secretary of Central West REZist Inc.

With several active wind energy proposals and a hydro dam battery proposal on drought-prone land surrounding their property—mostly proposed by foreign-owned multinationals—Amber has taken further action. She helps unite community groups across Australia as an active member of the National Rational Energy Network, holding protests in Tamworth, Sydney, Canberra, and recently at the Dee Why Energy & Environment Forum.

GUEST 2 OVERVIEW: Hon Mark Banasiak MLC, a former teacher, was elected to NSW Parliament in 2019, representing the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. Mark is also the Chair of the Federation of Hunting Clubs, which is one of the peak bodies representing the Shooters and hunting clubs in New South Wales.