Flyers Creek Wind Farm

My submission will be delivered by hand on Monday 19 th December 2011

I object to the proposal due to research of too many negative affects - noise, NOT environmentally friendly, health hazards and destruction / murder of wildlife.

I disagree with wind turbine because of faulty engineering designs, unefficent engines and production of energy - not good for cost or environment, health hazards such as infrasound and destruction of birds and bats.

A hard copy of my response to the application was posted to the Dept of Planning Dec 15 2011.

I have tried to attach a copy via the file attachments below, however the attachments link directly through to my computer which is not satisfactory.

Wind power is one of the cleanest forms of energy available. The fuel is free, inexhaustible, and abundant. No carbon dioxide or waste is produced when energy is being generated through these wind turbines. They are one of the most technologically advanced of the renewable sources of energy and one of the most cost-effective. Our world needs all the clean energy it can get if it is to overcome the growing threat posed by climate change. Lately, we hear the impacts of climate change from various sources are getting worse and are happening sooner, than anticipated. We are seeing evidence of the human suffering and economic cost of extremes of weather in many other parts of the world at the moment. This will get far worse unless we start cutting emissions of climate changing gases, such as carbon dioxide, very soon.

I am pleased with the initiative of the farmers who formed a consortium to build the Flyers Creek Wind Farm Project, in cooperation with the contractor and Country Energy. Such projects should be of high priority to tackle climate change and backing the role of wind energy in helping to reduce emissions. There is no doubt there will be large amounts of benefits to the economic growth of the region; more employment and clean and sustainable energy in the coming years once this project becomes operational.

I therefore give my support for the Flyers Creek Wind Farm Project.

Flyers Creek Wind Farm Proposal MP08-0252 : OBJECTION

December 16 2011

Mr Toby Philip
Senior Planning Officer
NSW Department of Planning
23-33 Bridge Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Re: Submission with regards to the Flyers Creek Wind Farm (Application MP08-0252)

Dear Mr Philip

I wish to lodge my STRONG OBJECTION to this proposal:

There are many reasons for my objection to this proposed development.
- The rights of landholders of non host properties within the vicinity have not been dealt with in a fair and reasonable way.
- There has been no consultation seeking approval from non host residents in regards to the proposed locations of both turbines and the substation. Although these structures will not be on their properties, they will still have a major impact on these residents. Some structures as close as 300metres from a home.
- Impacts of noise, flicker and possible health affects have been glossed over. The size of the turbines is yet to be determined, therefore how have accurate assesments of the impact been determined?
- Although no ill health affects have been conclusively linked to turbines, there is some doubt. Therefore in my opinion untill such time that there is conclusive proof caution should be taken. Especially when a school in within the area. Who will be held responsible if down the track links are made and there a compensation cases to pay?
- Why do the structures have to be so close to existing residents homes? In other states the set back of 2km is being enforced. Why not here in NSW? This does not seem to be an unreasonable distance. Due to insufficient regulations in NSW, blatant disregard for surounding residents has caused an outcry of disaproval. I am sure resistance would not be so strong if reasonable limits were respected.
- The whole process of development so far has ripped a once close community apart. This includes members of my family. It is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The emotions are running high and it will not be a happy Christmas this year.
- I am not against wind power. I am just pleading that common sense and respect for the community has some place here. I am sure that a more positive outcome can be achieved if there was some more communication between the affected parties.

Regards
Shona Tulloch
A concerned onlooker

I am in support of Flyers Creek wind farm project. We have a renewable resourse here so why not use it, it just makes sense.
The project will also bring some much needed money into the area , not only during construction but as an ongoing income stream to the community.

Attention: Toby Philp

We are aware of the proposal to construct up to 44 wind turbines in the Flyers Creek area, approximately 20 kilometres from Orange, NSW
We do not give permission for our personal details to be released to the proponent, the public or any other government department.

We wish to lodge our strong objection to this wind turbine proposal because of the following:

1. Minimal advertising and awareness given to the community regarding the "community consultations" in November 2010:
- For a 220 million dollar development we were only given 5 days notice about the "community consultation". Fortunately we were able to attend, however this did not cater for those in the community that were unable to attend for various reasons. Why was there not a series of "community consultations" over a period of time?
-Maps & photos made available were both outdated and grossly not to scale. Factual evidence of this is that our house and property were not even included on the maps provided as were many others. When we asked Jonathon Upson (Infigen) if the maps were up to date he assured us they were. We then asked why our property was not on the map (bearing in mind a wind turbine was positioned on the Infigen map less than 250m from our boundary!). Jonathon told us it was an oversight. Again for a 220 million dollar development this is ludicrous that a convenient oversight could occur.
-Initially at the time of these consultations residents in the wider community (Millthorpe, Carcoar, Blayney) were not made aware by Infigen or the local council of the "community consultations" in November 2010. For a 220 million dollar project why wasn't the wider community made aware by individual postage to ensure everyone was included. This lack of honest awareness has created mistrust and anger from the beginning and to date.

2. If this is such a great project for the community, why so secretive?
- For at least the past two years rumour in the community about the proposed wind farm has been spreading and yet we were only officially notified days before the "community consultation". This secrecy has caused division in the community between both neighbours and families over the past two years and continuing. Opponents of this project have been made to feel as though they are jealous, where as we simply want to protect our land our community and sky line from this outdated and inefficient industrial eye sores.
-Why are the landholders that have agreed to host the turbines on their properties made to sign water tight contracts and confidentially agreements with Infigen? And why is it so impossible to get out of the contract for those who may have since changed their mind (if there is nothing to hide)?
- The way in which Infigen offered the vulnerable land holder (including the elderly) a $5000 "buttering up holding fee" to prevent them from signing a contract with another wind development company is concerning.
- Why are we dealing with a foreign owned company and one that has diminishing share price? Is it not obvious that this alone should have alarm bells ringing!

3. Significant farming land is at high risk of becoming industrialised:
- Our property as with others in and around the vicinity of the project is a significant farming and grazing enterprise. We would like to protect the asset we have built for ourselves and for our children's future.
- The visual impact of our beautiful landscape will be ruined by these inefficient monstrosities!! We simply DO NOT WANT THEM IN OUR BACKYARD OR ANYONE ELSE'S. When you are reviewing this submission and others of the same opinion please have a think about whether you would like to have these industrial 150m or more turbines in your proximity or skyline everyday.
- Can Infigen supply us with a written guarantee that the market value of our property prior to "the wind farm talk" has not and will not reduce due to this unwanted project. If not, why not?

4. The Health impacts:
-Research has been done and is continuing on the negative health effects with regards to the wind turbines and residence nearby. We want a stop to these turbines until conclusive evidence can be proven either way. We are talking about human lives in Australia that are being effected by these turbines. Please look in to why people are currently and in the past leaving their farms and houses. Do you really think they are leaving for any other reason but that the turbines are having an ill effect on them?
-Have you looked into the tragic deaths of those people involved with the construction of the turbines and also the deaths and injuries occurred by people from towers catching on fire and blades dislodging.
-Birds are at high risk of being killed or injured by the rotating blades not to mention a hazard for light aircrafts.

5.Hazard for our roads:
-If you are not already aware, our current roads that Infigen intend on using during construction are inferior and neglected and dangerous enough without the added heavy vehicle movements and construction traffic that will be required if this proposal is approved. In a recent "council community" meeting it was stated that Infigen would fund the council $220,000 a year for improvement of the roads. This amount would not cover the repairs and maintenance needed.

We strongly object to the Flyers Creek Wind Turbine Proposal for the abovementioned reasons. We ask that you consider our and others realistic concerns and at the very least put a hold on the approval until further research has been sought regarding health issues, stability of Infigen and the likelihood of alternate and more efficient forms of energy. We also believe that Infigen should provide the controlling authority with an adequate bond for the decommissioning and rehabilitation of the site should this go ahead.

Thankyou for reading our submission and we look forward to your reply,

Dear Mr Philp,

My name is Matthew Robson, and I am the son of a property owner involved with the Flyers Creek Wind Farm proposal. I wholly support the proposal but only under the proviso of a diligent and competent life cycle design and the establishment of the correct assurances and guarantees.

A project such as this, which involves a variety of stakeholders, must be approached with a high level of competence. During the planning, implementation, operation and decommissioning stages assurances must be established to safe guard all stakeholders from any negative eventualities.

A bond should be deposited (if it is not already required) to cover the costs involved with the continual operation and maintenance or removal and site remediation if, due to unforeseen circumstances, the owner is unable to do so.

Assurances must also be made to safeguard the stakeholder's contracted stipulations and company commitments in the event of a transfer of project ownership.

I'm sure you are aware of all the available information regarding wind farms, both for the affirmative and negative view points. From my point of view the potential benefits far outweigh any established consequences of a wind farm installation.

I've recently completed my Bachelor of Engineering (Mining). With that knowledge of the extraction, refining and energy production processes involved in the coal and gas industry and how unsustainable and environmentally detrimental they are its hard not to look at supplementary power sources.

It's pretty obvious that the remuneration packages granted for the installation of wind turbines has had the greatest weight in deciding for or against for the project. It seems that the minority against the project are those who will have views of the towers but have gained little or no reimbursement.

For those who have been granted packages, the remunerations, to a degree, can drought proof a property and be put towards maintenance and property improvements. This can include the maintenance of farming equipment, stock proofing and fencing, control/elimination of introduced weed species and pasture improvements. Such activities are usually the first to be neglected during harder financial periods, which leads to a rapid increase in property neglect and devaluation.

The loss of land, specifically in our case, is negligible when compared to the benefits. The proposed location for the wind turbines and access roads are along the ridges of the hills within our property, and such areas are of relatively low pastoral value which consists mostly of exposed rock and sparse vegetation.

A valid point had been made which outlines that the subdividing of rural properties into smaller 1 to 5 acre residential lots has had a far greater impact on the availability of productive agricultural land when compared with the land requirements of a large wind farm.

Thank you for your time and consideration into the proposal.

Regards,

Matthew Robson

What guarantee if any is there that the proponent will not install further turbines in the future within the current confines of the project area and what legislative process/processes would the proponent be required to apply though in such circumstances and does this depend on the number of additional turbines that would be under consideration

My family and I live 1100 meters from 7 of the proposed wind turbines and am very concerned as to the health effects that the wind turbines may have on people living so close to them.
Given the growing amount of stories from overseas about people suffering from health effects due to the wind turbines I believe that the approval for this project should not be given until suitable research into the health effects has been done.

Refer attached PDF

Pleae find attached

I am writing to you with my objections regarding the proposed plan for the erection of a 44 industrial turbine farm to be 135 m (441.75 ft) up to 150 m (490ft) high to be located at Flyers Creek on the Central Tablelands of NSW on prime agricultural land A classed farming land. Where these turbines are to be located are in an area which is becoming more populated. Some of these turbines are only 1.1 km from dwellings as well there is Errowanbang School with 2 pointing right at the school.It is now becoming more apparent that these turbines are causing many problems including continuous noise recognised now by the South Australia government (Quinn versus AGL) as you would be aware of. Many other countries from around the world also have noise and medical problems and also recognised with peer-reviewed evidence. People in England have just received compensation for having to evacuate their home made unliveable by these turbines as many have also moved out of their homes in Australia. What kind of people would allow these so-called farms to be placed in areas where they are forced to leave their homes without any restrictions places on the siting of turbines.? I note Victoria has a 2km setback applied, in this area there is no setback. Many problems are occuring much further than 2 kilometres and concerns for health must be considered why should you have to leave your home because you are suffering from these turbines. Put them where they won't cause any problems. I attended a meeting at Blayney 28/11/2011 with Council members and public were invited to voice their opinions. One newspaper at the meeting said that 80% of those who attended opposed the turbine farm. A Mr. Jonathan Upson from Infigen energy was there he admitted while giving his side of the story that he did not pick this area for the proposed development. I believe a full moritorium must be carried out before any more decisions are made on the siting of these turbines as well as any more projects of this nature. All these issues must be addressed as well this area is in a training area for Orange airport which is going to be extended to accommodate larger aircraft such as a 737 Boeing Jet. This area may also be affected by the farm as it is only 13km from the airport. A new enquiry must be made to CASA as some of the flight trainers knew nothing about a wind farm proposed for this area.Please see attachments regarding my opinions. Ron Burton

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