State Significant Development
Bowmans Creek Wind Farm
Singleton Shire
Current Status: Determination
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- SEARs
- Prepare EIS
- Exhibition
- Collate Submissions
- Response to Submissions
- Assessment
- Recommendation
- Determination
Construction and operation of a wind farm with up to 60 wind turbines and associated infrastructure.
Attachments & Resources
Notice of Exhibition (1)
Request for SEARs (2)
SEARs (2)
EIS (11)
Response to Submissions (7)
Amendments (11)
Additional Information (28)
Recommendation (4)
Determination (2)
Approved Documents
There are no post approval documents available
Note: Only documents approved by the Department after November 2019 will be published above. Any documents approved before this time can be viewed on the Applicant's website.
Complaints
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Inspections
There are no inspections for this project.
Note: Only enforcements and inspections undertaken by the Department from March 2020 will be shown above.
Submissions
Rhonda Parker
Object
Rhonda Parker
Message
NSW Rural Fire Service
Comment
NSW Rural Fire Service
Catherine Ball
Object
Catherine Ball
Message
Attachments
Marjorie Chick
Object
Marjorie Chick
Message
It concerns me about the health impacts to my children and grandchildren who are just really starting their life. The unknown effects are worrying. In today’s society there is a very large number of young people suffering anxiety and depression with grave endings. I do not wish this on anyone and do not want my Grandchildren exposed to these added stresses raised by Wind Farm operations. Who will be accepting responsibility when the wind farm industry wakes up and realises that the close proximity of wind turbines to homes is causing anxiety, sickness and possibly deaths ?
From my day there was asbestosis, it killed family of mine and it was passed off for many years before it was proven to be a killer. The same with the effects of the sound and mental illnesses associated with wind turbines and possible illness due to particles from the blade deterioration, especially when there is already coal dust particles in the air.
My family choose to live in the coal environment but did not choose to be subjected to added effects of the wind industry as well. This area needs to be left just to the coal and coal fired power industry, find somewhere else to build these turbines where there will be less impact to the flora, fauna and people’s livelihood, health and mental wellbeing.
Australia has lots of vast unoccupied land where turbines would not be of concern to health, less clearing of vegetation and the money saved from compensating land owners would go towards the industry itself.
The community will end up very segregated, it will be hard for local groups to attract volunteers due to the division between Hosts and non-associated residents of the wind farm.
My daughter and her husband gave service to the RFS for over 34 years with a wealth of information behind them. Due to the greed and lack of consideration to their neighbours from the Host landholder in Muscle Creek they will not be offering their volunteer services to the Muscle Creek RFS Brigade, which is a big loss to the RFS Volunteer Service.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
Project Number SSD-10315, Bowmans Creek Wind Farm
10 May 2021
This submission sets out the unacceptable impacts of the proposed development.
See attached document
Attachments
Chris Tyler
Object
Chris Tyler
Message
Through the blessings of traditional and current land holders, I have often frequented the area in question to camp and seek solitude and connection with the land from which my people grew over thousands of years. My art of natural landscape and starscrape photography, will be impossible.
These structures will destroy the serenity for all. They will cloud the clear skies with man made interference.
The clear night skies, filled with millions of stars and planets, some the very source of our dreaming stories and significant in teaching, will be forever dominated by flashing lights at the peaks of the windmills.
Having been within proximity of wind farms previously, the inevitable hum and drone of their operation makes it impossible to seek silence. Impossible to fully connect with the land and natural environment of our collective ancestors- yet another impression of colonisation on first nations people and continuation of oppressing this beautiful land, pushing the access to untainted land put of the reach of those of us who are not able to, financially or otherwise, travel further afield to escape.
On numerous occasions in the hills and valleys directly around the immediate area of the proposed wind farm, I have witnessed the flight of Eagles and hawks and located a number of nests in some of the beautiful gums of the area.
Eagles and other predatory birds are a significant part of Aboriginal Dreamtime both among the wonnarua people and the darkunjung where I reside to the south.
I worry that these birds will, much like the clarity of the stars in the sky, suffer an untimely demise at the hands of the wind farm- as detailed in a number of studies both here and abroad.
While an argument may be made that the mining activity already dominates the landscape, it's visual impact is far less, given the height of the structures and surrounds. The area of the proposed structures is the sole remaining vantage with no obstructions and should be treated with extra care and consideration. It should also be noted that just because there is one man made impact on the natural environment, it should not justify further intrusions.
It's inexplicable that this proposal is being considered in the beautiful farming and natural lands around Bowman's creek.
There are far more suitable locations, already impacted by mining and other infrastructure, that would help maintain some sliver of natural landscape that my people can hold on to and a place that I can continue to take family and friends for natural experiences and to teach of our indigenous heritage through astronomy and land.
I'd ask that the proposal be rejected in favour of working with the big mining companies on using remediated land to the south/west of the proposed location. Minimising the impact on the wider population and the land as a whole.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
NO. 10315 – BOWMANS CREEK WIND FARM – Construction of up to 60 wind turbines 220m height.
Bowmans Creek is one of the last untouched and pristine rural valleys in the Hunter Region. Bowmans Creek will be negatively impacted by this proposed development in numerous ways outline below.
I object to the SDD-10315 Bowmans Creek Wind Farm for the following reasons:
Loss of Visual amenity – Landscape and Visual
• With construction of 60 wind turbines
• Construction of roads and electricity easements
• Blade flicker
• Blade Glint
• Night-lights installed on the Wind Turbines will have a negative effect on this night landscape as there is currently no night-light in this area
Historic Heritage
• Loss of local historic heritage in the Bowmans Creek area; it is a unique historical place of European heritage. The area is holds within its boundary’s, a wool sheds, dance hall, Blacksmiths shop, Local land Heritage listed Church and federation homesteads.
Increase Noise and Vibration
• Noise predictions indicate that levels will exceed current levels by a large amount.
• This increase of noise will be unpleasant to live comfortably. The turbines will also generate very low frequencies that have been attributed to sleep disturbance.
• Unbearable noise and vibration from traffic during construction
• Noise from turbines will affect people on the valley floor at a higher level than calculated. Most often the wind blows greater and constantly on the ridgelines and is calm in the valley floor
• Noise, vibration and dust from road widening.
• Furthernoise studies should be undertaken so a more accurate data set can be collected.
Increased Traffic
• Increase of traffic on Bowmans Creek Road during construction and management (up to50 years)
• Risk to local residents using roads while construction is occurring.
• Currently no more than 10 vehicle trips are recorded per day. The local roads will not withstand this type of vehicle movement and increase traffic movement, therefore being a risk to human life.
• long delays with such large-scale road works when travelling to Aberdeen and Singleton.
• The current conditions of the roads it will not be safe to generate this level of vehicle movement, even with upgrades.
• Increased dust and erosion of sealed and unsealed roads.
• Bowmans Creek road and Albano Road are not suitable for site access to build the Wind Turbines. I request that an alternative access route be considered for the project.
Bushfire Risk
• Bushfire risk through ignition of turbines.
• Bushfire risk through loss of water bombing procedures from planes/helicopters due to height and placement of Turbines
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
• Loss of aboriginal cultural heritage
• Loss of aboriginal walking tracks
• disturbance of massacre sites and archaeological remnants.
• Destruction of unique sandstone cultural viewing platforms.
• Disturbance of cultural corridors along ridge tops.
• Underground cables are to be constructed in that area
• 300-year-old Grass trees – Xanthorrhoea sp. which holds great significance to Aboriginal culture. These trees will be heavily impacted with construction of access tracks artefacts have been found along Bowmans Creek Road (Albano Road in EIS). Albano Road OS-01 (37-3-1587) recorded a selection of artefacts. This is an area where the EIS has noted road alterations and disturbance.
• Stoney Creek Bridge – 3 coloured ochre (used in ceremonial events). This is also an area for alteration of roadway to allow over sized vehicles through the area. Further studies need to be undertaken before any road works occur.
• Insufficient ground surface survey. More studies need to be conducted to get a better overall understanding.
Water
• Disturbance and destruction of waterways
Biodiversity
• Flora and Fauna destruction
• Endangered species including Koala, Powerful Owl, Masked Owl, Spotted tailed Quoll, Eastern Bent winged-bat, Feathered tailed Glider, Speckled Warbler, Glossy Black Cockatoo and Little Lorikeet.
• Flora and Fauna surveys need to be taken during years without drought
• Raptor species decline from windfarm blades
• Falcons, Kites, Owls and Glossy Black Cockatoo as well as many bats and other bird species will also be impacted adversely.
• The Powerful Owl studies were insufficient
Community Consultation
• Community consultation inadequate.
• Not made know local impacts
Economic
• Economically unfair. Small group of people who will benefit financially while the community will suffer from negative impacts
House and property prices
• Reduction of property prices
Thank you
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
I enjoy camping on my property with my friends and would hate our night sky ruined by flashing lights from turbines and the reduction in visibility of our stars. The noise is something else that concerns me, when I have spoken to friends and told them of this development, they have all asked the same question "do you know how loud they are?" I am concerned that the noise is going to keep me up at night and that friends will potentially no longer wish to visit me. The appeal of where I live is how pristine and quiet it is in contrast to the devastation of all areas around due to coal mining.
Please do not approve this project.
Thanks for your consideration.
Clint Thomas
Object
Clint Thomas
Message
Attachments
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
I would like to oppose the proposal of the Bowmans Creek wind farm. We often camp in the area and love the views and the serenity that the area offers. I feel very sorry for the affected locals and the loss of their land values shall this project go ahead.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
Our house is in the flight path of the rescue helicopter, I know that turbines can create turbulence and I am concerned how this may impact the rescue helicopter and its path to attend to people in Muswellbrook. As everyone in my family I am concerned about the noise that will be created by these turbines, we live very close, and live in a very quiet area. When I am playing in the backyard, I have been able to hear my neighbour talking to a visitor, he lives approximately 1km down the road. The noise travels and bounces around our valley. I don't want these turbines, our area is surrounded by mines, can't the animals have some place to live without it being taken over for the power needs to others.
Please do not approve this project, you wouldn't like something like this in your backyard, please don't let them put it in mine.
Lynette Logue
Object
Lynette Logue
Message
Muscle Creek is a beautiful area and community situated in a picturesque valley. I and my family have lived here for 40 years and value the beauty of the hills, clear night sky, native wildlife and peaceful surroundings. This is why we have chosen to live here. Turbines will be VISUAL not only from every visable advantage point around my home but from many scenic vantage points, forever changing the landscape and horizon. The thought of seeing the Turbines all day and then all night with the flashing red lights horrifies me.
Besides the visual impact from the turbines another concern to me is the exposure of the constant and unrelenting NOISE pollution from the Turbines. The well known noise impacts such as Lack of Sleep, Hearing Problems, Stress and Heart Issues are all very worrying to myself and my families wellbeing. We have worked hard all our life to provide our children and grandchildren a healthy and happy lifestyle here at Muscle Creek.
Muscle Creek is a small but close community and in times of trouble help each other out. My husband has helped with the Bushfire Brigade for many years but as we age BUSHFIRES are a very scary threat to us and we do what we can regarding preparation and prevention on our own property. Turbines and Powerlines have a huge potential to cause fire . Because of the size of these turbines aerial water-bombing is hampered to a point of zero fire controlling. Our native FOREST and FAUNA is so precious particularly the KOALAS which have colonies in the proposed Turbine sites.
Like many of my Muscle Creek, McCullys Gap neighbours and family I am pro renewable energy projects, but I STRONGLY OBJECT to the proposed site of this one.
Thank you for considering these objections.
Regards Lynette Logue
Dan Boyd
Object
Dan Boyd
Message
1. Visual Impact- I did not purchase my land and build my home at Woodland Ridge to have my entire eastern view blanketed by 220m high turbines.
2. Noise Impact- I did not build my home in a rural residential area to have my family subjected to the unidentified effects of the 24hr a day, constant thrum, infra sound and wind chop of turbines in direct line of sight.
3.Property Value- I believe the property value of my home will suffer as a result of the Wind Farm.
4. Increased Bush fire Risk- I believe 70 turbines perched atop heavily wooded ridge lines will increase the risk of bush fire threat. Should we need RFS to attend as a result of an ignition along the turbines proposed route, they would face a single route of travel both in and out of the area & as fire fighting aircraft will not fly in the vicinity of turbines, they would receive no aerial support from water bombers.
5. Increased Land care costs- Those land users that have relied in the past on aerial crop dusters for aerial spraying, seeding etc would see costs increase as they seek alternative application methods.
6. Reduced Strategic Program results- The same no fly zones that effect crop dusters apply to aircraft involved in both pest management and wildlife support programs.
7. Traffic Hazards increased- The increase in associated traffic in our local area to accommodate the infrastructure required for the construction of the wind farm would in my opinion be unacceptable.
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
I object to the poor planning on who and how the turbines will be decommissioned
I object to the eyesore that this will have on the picturesque landscape
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
Attachments
Moira Etheridge
Object
Moira Etheridge
Message
Brigitte Thomas
Object
Brigitte Thomas
Message
Attachments
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
Epuron have also shown they are not interested in community consultation, in their first round of community information sessions, the Muscle Creek information session had the highest attendance. This is to be expected as the census data that Epuron have used in the EIS shows that Muscle Creek has the highest number of impacted residents and the highest number of families. Epuron has used this information and conducted their final round of information sessions, in the school holidays and away from Muscle Creek in areas where the impact is not felt by as many.
Please find attached my objection in which I have summarised my additional concerns. I reserve the right to add more information, between work and life it has been a struggle to find the time to read a document that has close to 2000 pages in such a short time. It took them two years with paid specialists to write it and I am awarded 45 days to review it. I definitely feel like the underdog. I would also like to note that this is my second attempt at a submission as the website has frozen on me twice already.
Attachments
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
- visual and noise impact across the property
- financial impact due to sterilisation of future rural /lifestyle development within the buffer areas crossing our boundaries, which have been defined by the wind farm project
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
My solution. Find an area that is easily accessible and not within areas of preserved natural
Landscape. This will not only provide greater ease to install the turbines but in future it can allow for easy de installation and the appropriate recycling of materials once it becomes disused. It is imperative that the end of life of such huge machines are considered and the future impact it has on the environment hence my sincere objection to the wind farms within the Bowman’s Creek region specifically.
Thank you.