Hills of Gold Wind Farm

It will provide local jobs and be a valuable resource for the area

I attach Submission 6 with objections to the Hills of Gold Wind Farm SSD- 9679. Are submissions concerned with other relevant parts of theEIS will follow.

This submission deals with the following objections:
-that the wind farm should be stopped due to the assessment of the land and soils under the Land and Soil Capability (LSC) classification which shows the Project area to be totally unsuitable for construction of a wind farm, being suitable for grazing and nature conservation only
-the extremely high risk of soil erosion from the high ridgeline as result of excavation, resulting in potential landslide activity with dire consequences.

With Liddell Power Station closing I think better to have wind farms than another power station being built.

To whom it may concern:

I object to the Hills Of Gold Wind Farm application Number SSD 9679 on the below points:

Social Unrest
The proposed Wind Farm development in the Nundle area has been by far the most negatively impacting social event I have ever witnessed in my life.

My own research and interactions with the current wind developer has confirmed my understanding that the current process by which government and wind developers engage rural communities has consistently been causing community division and this fact has been well documented in Australia since 2006, and Nundle is no exception. The gig is up!

The process by which the developer snakes his way through community negotiating backdoor deals with potential wind turbine hosts and then rendering them silent from meaningful community discussions with legal "gag" orders unequivocally leads to social division.

Community cohesion is further eroded when local community groups have bags of fictitious “Community Enhancement Fund” money waived in front of them by the developer, naturally pitching these group members against individual members of the community who are directly opposed to the development or stand to be directly impacted.

Nundle will never be the same. A once cohesive and friendly place to live and shop has turned into a place of evil glances and bitterness. Shame on Government and the flawed approach by which wind developers are allowed to engage and manipulate rural communities. Moving forward, when the majority of a community says "No" (like it has in Nundle it should be the biggest deciding factor in an approval process).

Heritage
Nundle has built its entire identity and outgoing media off the back of its heritage and areas like the Crawney" Teamsters Rest" camp ground South of Nundle should remain unaffected by an industrialised landscape and blinking lights for generations to come.

Tourism
The developer and the industry in general sell the wind farm concept as being a tourism draw card but if the New England is touted to be the next renewable energy hub and every community has a wind farm in their backyard how will Nundle ever be able to market itself as being or having anything unique?

Land Value
We own an off grid property and the true value in our property is in its sense of wilderness and remoteness. This will change overnight as we are within the 3km impact zone of the wind development project.

Effect on Business
Our line of business is showing people what the moon looks like for any given date: www.moonglow.com.au

The companies business plan was to bring people to this property and have moon gazing nights through a high powered telescope. We have approved development plans for the construction of a Japanese "Moon Gazing" cabin with Tamworth City Council. This tourism activity was to be promoted through the the Nundle Business and Tourism group. We have put these plans on hold as we have understood that the "dark" night skies will be ruined by the proposed blinking aviation lights from the wind towers.

Nature Reserve impact
The 300 acre nature reserve that surrounds our property and adjoins the wind development corridor (Teamsters Rest Lot#26 Plan #755349 Reserve #97581) is a High Conservation valued parcel of land. No studies or mention of mitigation has been made by the developer on the impact that this wind development will have on this adjoining nature reserve. The illegal land clearing of Flora and Fauna that has already taken place in the proposed wind project area coupled with the expected 206 hectares of expected land clearing (including Koala habitat) will put more pressure on this already stressed nature reserve for flora and fauna refuge.

Dust
The developer has suggested through their traffic impact report that there will be no use of the Crawney Road adjacent to our property by wind farm development vehicles. My family have zero confidence that this will be true. We have not seen anything from the developer that aims to mitigate the current condition or improvement of (any section) of Crawney road with an increase in heavy vehicle traffic.

If it is indeed determined that there is an increase in traffic by sub-contractors and heavy vehicles (linked to the development) coming out of the Newcastle area (South of Nundle) during the 2 year construction period it will unequivocally have a negative effect on our rain water harvesting vessels due to our roofs being located near the road. We currently have no faith in the developer to mitigate the increase in dust from this development on our home. This will have an adverse effect on our water and air quality.

Soil
We have since learned that the developers EIS was reviewed by a prominent soil scientist in the area and we were shocked to learn that incorrect soil category maps and soil erosion calculations were submitted. Local knowledge surfaced very early in community discussions surrounding the proposed project area having historically high land movement and high erosion hazards. It appears that the developers EIS has played this known fact down. As well, if the erosion calculations and soil classifications are wrong then surely inadequate engineering costs have been made to overcome the project areas soil limitations, which could be considered fraudulent in nature.

Concerned Nundle/ Crawney Rd Resident

Shawn Stone

Be good for the area, creating jobs and a more sustainable and clean type of energy. Great for the environment

To whom it may concern,

I live on a lifestyle hobby farm on the Crawney Road within the 3 Kilometre impact zone of the proposed wind farm development . 

I object to the project because I don't believe in destroying highly significant and vulnerable flora and fauna communities for a renewable energy project. I have understood that the main land holder has allegedly cleared remnant Snow Gum communities in preparation for this State significant project and believe that this is a Federal offence as the project has not been approved.

It has also been understood within the community that this same proponent of the project has allegedly simply factored in receiving fines from government agencies for these illegal land clearing activities into their overall budget in preparing their property to receive the wind farm project, prior to official approval. This draws significant light to a flawed wind farm approval process by various government agencies.

On a personal level, I have children who live in this magical place. I want them to be able to enjoy the same reasons why we chose to move to this peaceful, quiet and natural place. We want an uninterrupted sunrise and sunset over our hills.

I live 15 km’s from the town of Nundle and my children take the local bus in everyday and I want to express my genuine concern over the amount of increased vehicle traffic predicted during the construction period. The safety of our children waiting for the bus, in transit and entering/exiting school, going to the pool and shops is in jeopardy and as a community member I strongly oppose this project where the traffic is planned to go straight through our village.

Our home is within 30 meters of an unsealed road and the increase in wind farm development vehicle traffic will directly impact the health and well being of my family and young children due to the increased dust.

We are within the 3km impact zone of the proposed wind farm and the constant sound frequencies that are predicted to emanate from the project will impact my families quality of life.

I feel we owe it to the next generation to do all we can to protect the environment but not at the cost of destroying and fragmenting the landscape ecosystem further, in the process. I ask you to please not approve this project and protect this very special place. I have understood that this project is not crucial in contributing to the country’s overall renewable energy target and that there are other renewable projects in more appropriate landscapes already approved in the region rendering this development approval unnecessary.

The social impacts of this proposed project on our little community will forever be felt with friendships being lost, enemies created and long standing community initiatives being dissolved due to community members not wanting to work with each other due to social division over the project.

I moved to this community because of the beauty, its natural environment, the social cohesion of a small village and most of all because I wanted to live in an area that I could connect with nature on a deeper level. Never would I have thought I would be fighting a renewable energy project in my back yard, but here I am, pleading that you reject this project and look elsewhere.

Nundle is a refuge for busy people who want to get away from “progress” and man made industrial landscapes and deserves to be protected as a destination.

I believe it is your departments responsibility to do its full due diligence in assessing the impact of this project on all levels of this community and specifically the consequences it will have on the natural environments of Ben Halls Gap Nature Reserve, the Crawney National Park, Crawney TSR, Crawney Teamsters Rest camp ground and the head waters of 3 major water catchments. 

It is well documented that the majority of our award winning community have come together to oppose this project and we need you to respect our collective voice.

A very concerned Crawney Road resident,
Treva Stone

This area is a wonderful natural environment. Wind farms are completely the reverse. They are an eyesore and can be located in less beautiful unspoiled areas. They are very high impact visually, are noisy and have a proven detrimental effect on wildlife. I realise there are roads and buildings in the area but the impact of these are far less than wind farms which break the horizon line and look disgusting. We travel to Nundle from Qld to camp and enjoy the quiet natural environment, and will be terribly disappointed if the area is ruined by these unsightly monsters.
Furthermore, there is very much evidence that they cost more to create than they save, they have limited lifespans with huge environmental costs to dispose of. They only work when the “right” amount of wind blows. They are not viable without huge subsidies. They are political virtue signalling, and any government worth electing would be advocating nuclear power in preference.

To whom it may concern,

I've been in Nundle/Crawney my whole life. Seeing the beautiful rolling hills stretch as far as the eye can see for 14 years...it's remarkable, seeing, breathing and touching, absolute beauty. The sunset hits that perfect spot, just above the ridge gleaming that ray of pink and orange. Where I'd rather die right in that spot, then anywhere else in the world. 

I want to be able to show my kids the same beautifying feeling that I did throughout my childhood. Not staring at tall, lifeless machines, that suck that feeling of peace and tranquility from the land. 

I not only live here, but I am also a part of here. This is my home and I will come back here until my final breath is taken on this Earth. 

You're not just putting poles in the ground, you're ripping our once united town apart and if a 14 year old boy can realise this, then you should to.

I strongly encourage you to reject the wind farm proposal.

*Having visited this unique place on several occasions I am horrified that this location has been considered for a Large wind farm.
*The proposed Hills of Gold Wind Farm is not a choice between fossil fuels and renewables, but a choice about environmentally sensitive siting of renewables.
*We should not be destroying the Environment to save the environment, i acknowledge that we need to find a better way but this is not the place for these enormous turbines.
*Visual amenity, noise, environment, water,soil, flora & fauna are all aspects that show this is not the place for turbines. This will have a great effect onour Koalas, wedge tail eagles, spotted tail quoll, squirrel gliders, echidnas
*There is a need for Community Consent to be a part of the decisions making and for the impact of these things on ones everyday life.
*There is no Government Policy for Turbines of this size, and there should be no applications for this size Turbines until a Policy has been written.
*Traffic Impacts along the proposed transport route through Muswellbrook LGA along Wybong, Kayuga and Dartbrook Roads as they are not suitable for oversize and long loads.
These roads are also very busy during shift change with mine workers using these roads when oversize loads are expected to be using these minor roads. Even with significant modifications the roads are not suitable. A condition should be imposed that the ENGIE contribute to road network upgrades within the Muswellbrook Shire LGA transport route. It seems from investigation that no Consultation has occurred with Muswellbrook Shire Council ?
*Decommisioning is of major concern to me, as with what is hapopening around the world, how will our Government ensure that these are disposed of in an environmentally accepted way, at cost to the Wind Farm Operators, not the landholders or Tax payers dollars. The concrete footings and related infrastructure should also have to be removed so not to cause enviromental damage for our future generations eg underground water courses, soil, flora & fauna.
* Night lighting of the Turbines will ruin the visual of the clear night skies Nundle and surrounds is know and visited for amoung other attributes.
* We need to be looking at sites that have little or no effect to the Community, and where the greedy land owner chooses money from Developers to Host Turbines without consideration of their neighbours amnety.
These Wind Farms have been proved to be dividing communities, these communities have lived harmoniously together for many many generations. Then along comes a Wind Farm proposal and the Community is divided and angry. It impacts and hurts all the local Community services as people do not wish to associate with the Turbine Hosts.
In these current times we should be embracing our culture and the Aussie way of life living harmoniously together.

I wish to submitted my approval for the Hill's of Gold Wind farm. I believe this venture to be a major asset to the town of Nundle. I have 2 young children & have visited Nundle a few times of the past 8 years. Once during the Easter celebration with the Chinese dragon festival, another time to attend a Wedding at 'The Dag' and other times will passing through to visit snow at Hanging Rock. As a family, we have eaten at the small cafe in town & also enjoyed a counter lunch at the local pub. During our time in Nundle we have never stayed too long as we found not much to do to entertain our children.
In my belief I feel the town would hugely benefit from the Wind Farm, the extra money going into the town will help to town produce many more activities & resources for young children & the elderly who may wish to look at Nundle for retirement.
I currently live in Muswellbrook which has a large pollution content due to the large amounts of coal mines in the area. If I had my choice (husband works in a coal mine) I would pack my children up & happily move them to a town containing wind farms & less coal mines.
I feel the elderly currently in the town & ones willing to move for retirement would be healthier & happier knowing that their electricity/energy is coming from a renewable source.
Nundle is a beautiful small community & I feel the town will be positively impacted by the go ahead of the Hill's of Gold Wind Farm.
The wind farms will not only produce beautiful clean energy, they will also supply many jobs to the local community for years to come & the opportunity for the local schools to take children on excursions to learn about renewable, clean, energy.
In conclusion I believe the Hill's of Gold Wind Farm will be a major asset to the town of Nundle, not only now but for many, many years to come.

I was born in Nundle, grew up there and worked in the area for many years undertaking shearing, farmhand and Plant Operating work. I also worked on the Chaffey Dam Project. I eventually was forced to leave the area due to lack of ongoing employment. I have now lived in Singleton for many years and work mostly in the Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter area as a Plant Operator.

I totally support this project as I am confident that it will inject much needed life and prosperity into not only the town, but the whole area. My Family still live in Gill St, Nundle and I am a very frequent visitor back to the town. Over the years since I have left I have noticed a generally backward movement in employment prospects and overall amenity in the area. To me the area is stagnant. Although a number of tourists do come here, they generally come in caravans, stay a couple of days only and leave with only having visited the old Woollen Mill, Hotel, once a year dog races and Easter festival. I feel that the building and operation of a wind farm up along the Hanging Rock to Crawney ridgeline will, in itself invite many, many tourists to the area.

Working in the Upper Hunter as I do, I know only too well that the old Power Station at Liddell will be closing shortly as it has reached the end of its productive life. The effect of pullution from the Coal Fired Power Stations is obvious to everyone who lives or travels through the Upper Hunter area. We neede a cleaner alternative. Wind, solar and battery storage are in my view, excellent alternatives to coal fired power stations. Nuclear is not an option.

Once again the project has my full support.

Geoff Sipple

I support the development of renewable energy in all its forms but there are particular issues with the Hills of Gold Wind Farm that need to be addressed.
The project is located on a high ridge line with a preferred access route that will be difficult to modify without doing significant environmental damage as well as having an impact on an important historical item. Both access routes have so many associated issues that it may make the whole project not viable. To explain my major concern in relation to the proposed Devils Elbow Bypass on Barry Rd I have attached the following PDF: Black Snake Gold Mine.pdf

There is an inconsistency that is difficult to explain in relation to payment when comparing the Community Enhancement Fund and the Neighbour Benefit Agreement.
The Community Fund is not "Enhancement" and the Neighbour Agreement is not "Benefit". Both payment schemes are "Compensation" for having a large wind farm nearby. In that way they are similar.
The Community Fund involves a payment (compensation) of $2,500 p/a for each turbine making a total of $175,000 p/a to be shared by 3 Council Zones. The offer is made as a firm commitment by the Proponent. In the Neighbour Agreement the Proponent asks the neighbour to agree to impacts (such as turbines closer than 3.1km and potential visual and noise impacts) in return for an annual payment (compensation). The Proponent implies that the Agreement must be signed as part of the Approval Process and that the offer will not be available after Determination. Please note that the Proponent is asking the neighbour to agree to "Proposed" turbines when the agreement should be decided when turbines are "Approved" as I understand is the case with the Community Fund. The Proponent should not be able to use the Neighbour Agreement as a factor to add to other compliancy issues (visual, noise impacts) to be addressed for turbines to be located close to a dwelling. Outsiders in the community may have the belief that neighbours close to the wind farm are rewarded with generous payment schemes. This is not so. The payment fails to compensate for the impact. The amount paid is certainly not a great financial benefit and it's absolutely not a benefit to have large turbines close to a dwelling even if visual and noise impacts are compliant. To conclude, there must be something seriously wrong with the Neighbour Agreements for the Hills of Gold Wind Farm because very few neighbours have signed. The question remains, will they be able to sign and receive "Benefit" if and when the project is approved and the turbines are operational? That is a very important question. It is clearly understood that the Community Enhancement Fund will be paid once the project is operational. I have tried to explain this dilemma in an attached file: Community Fund - Neighbour Agreement.pdf

I support renewable energy in all its forms because green power is essential as the world transitions from a dependence on fossil fuels.
Over the past three years I have had difficulty trying to accept the proposal of a large wind farm project to be located along 24kms of ridge line adjacent to my property.
I do not oppose wind farms but I object to several aspects of the Hills of Gold Wind Farm project as outlined in the EIS.

• Seven 230m high turbines will be within 3.1kms of my dwelling which is too close for comfort
• Neighbour Benefit Agreement is a flawed document making it difficult to reach agreement
• Preferred transport route should be changed as it will seriously impact my property
• Cumulative Visual Impact is assessed as “acceptable” on paper but in reality it will be “high to severe”
These concerns and additional comments are outlined further in my attached PDF: HoG EIS Submission CONFLICTED

I live in Tamworth, near Nundle, but spend a good deal of time in the area for both work and personal reasons. Whilst I am in full support of the instigation, development & (as soon as possible) complete reliance on renewable energies, I, through personal observation & informed conversation have absolutely no doubt that the Hills of Gold windfarm proposal is in the wrong place altogether. For geological, botanical and social reasons among others, were this project to proceed, it will cause irreversible damage in a multitude of respects. Please, do not allow this project to proceed at this location.

I am highly supportive of this project, as the construction of new avenues of renewable energy generation is a positive development for Australia and the planet. As the world comes to terms with the realities of climate change, it is becoming clearer and clearer that we cannot go on as usual with traditional means of energy generation, and we need to rapidly convert to sustainable energy sources. Australia is well placed to lead the way on this front- as a vast land with plenty of sun and wind. Yet our government is lagging behind- which is why projects such as this are so important. They show the way of the future- where large scale energy production is clean and renewable. I hope this project gets development approval and becomes a signifier of Australia's potential to be a leader in the future of clean energy.

I attach Submission 7 with objections to the Hills of Gold Wind Farm SSD- 9679.

This submission deals with the following objections:
- there is a significant impact to the threatened species of the koala as a result of this Project as assessed under the Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES)
- the removal and destruction of vegetation as part of this Project is "critical to the survival of the koala" . Therefore the Project poses a significant threat to the koala's survival in this region.
- the Project does not abide by the Sustainable Development Principles and should be rejected.

I am in favour of well planned and located renewable energy projects, but I have concerns about where this proposed wind farm is to be sited, as well as the thoroughness of the planning and consultation process.
The area has been identified as bushfire prone land and the steep gradient intensifies any potential fire and makes access for firefighting difficult. Windfarms carry the risk of a turbine being a fire hazard and it is therefore only appropriate in cleared farming land. Given the catastrophic fires we witnessed in the area, this risk must factor highly.
The bushland in and around the development footprint contains high value forest and is home to 13 critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable plants and animals with another 24 species potentially impacted by transporting components to the proposed site. Species include the Koala, Regent Honeyeater, Booroolong Frog, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Euphrasia arguta, Fragrant Pepperbush, and New England Peppermint. It neighbours scientific reference Ben Halls Gap Nature Reserve, including old growth eucalypt forest, Snow Gum, and sphagnum moss mounds endangered ecological community, and Crawney Pass National Park.
I have concerns about the planing and community consultation process. I am aware that not all of the neighboring properties were adequately consulted and it appears other corners were cut in the planning process. I don't have confidence in the safety of the project or that it is in the best nature for the area and do not think it should proceed.
There are other more suitable locations for a windfarm that will have less visual and other impacts.

I OBJECT to the Hills of Gold Wind Farm Project.

The project has been mismanaged from the start with lack of communication with key landholders, relevant information missing from Critical maps such as the Legend of the Soil map stating that it is unstable soil. The native wild life and flora and fauna will be at risk due to the wind turbine blades, the wedge tail eagles will be at great risk as they do not see straight ahead they see side to side not front forward, they will not be able to see the blades. The Vortex created by the wind blades will suck in migrating birds and kill them. This includes natives birds and indigenous rare wildlife.

I wish to object to the proposal to build the Hills of Gold Wind Farm.

I give the following reasons:

Private & Public Amenity of the Area

The proposal in my opinion will have a disastrous effect on the amenity of the area by destroying the character and historic nature of Nundle, Hanging Rock and surrounds. The town and surrounding area is renowned for its natural rural beauty and scenery and the proposal to put dozens of 200m tall wind turbines along the mountaintop ridge will destroy that beauty with the visual pollution of the turbines. Being a local resident of 18 years, I cannot abide the thought of the natural beauty of the area being destroyed by these monstrosities. Anecdotal evidence from people I know in the area, as well as those I have I have seen and heard at the public meetings about this proposal, indicates to me that the majority of residents of Nundle, Hanging Rock and surrounds, object to the wind farm. Surely this should be a major consideration for rejection, if the majority of residents oppose the project.

Ecological Factors

The ridge where the wind farm is proposed is the catchment area for the Peel and Barnard Rivers, as well as numerous creeks and springs. I think the risk of contamination of these vital waterways by the wind farm is too great to be considered. I believe there have been other submissions from people far more knowledgeable in these matters than myself, who also say that the risk of ground and surface water contamination is too great to run.

I also object to the proposal on the risk it poses to the unique flora and fauna of the area, which is home to a number of threatened species including koalas and greater gliders. The proposal includes clearing a significant amount of habitat these creatures rely on. Wind turbines are also known to kill many birds. In particular, they would be a significant danger to wedge tail eagles which are common in the area.

Noise Factors

I am extremely concerned with the possible (if not probable!) impact of noise from the turbines, particularly at my property. I am situated in the Barnard River valley, only a short distance away from the proposed turbines. The valley acts like a natural funnel for noise from the top of the mountain ridge where the turbines will be located. In favourable conditions, particularly with westerly winds blowing, which are the predominant winds more than 50% of the time, noise made by vehicles and other machinery can be clearly heard at our property by being funnelled down the valley by the westerly winds and amplified by the mountain range on either side. Despite assurances that the noise generated by the turbines is minimal, it cannot be guaranteed that there will be no noise impact, especially given the number of turbines proposed. It is impossible to know exactly how much noise the turbines will generate until they are built and operating. I believe that the risk of continuous and excessive noise from the turbines is too much for residents near the proposal to be expected to risk.

Economic Factors

I do not believe that the proposal will have any advantageous effect on the economy of either Nundle or the surrounding area, except in the short term during the construction phase. Nundle’s main attraction is that it is a sleepy little tourist town with a history, that is attractive to visitors. This proposal will, in my opinion, ruin that attraction for the majority of visitors and quite probably have a negative rather than positive effect on tourist numbers, with the effect that less money will come into the town.

The other objection I have to the proposal is that the main proponent of the project is also the landholder who will gain the most financial benefit from the development for themselves. There is very little scope, in my opinion, for the economic benefits of this proposal to be shared by others. The lions’ share of the economic benefit will go to a single landholder.

Summary

The above is just a brief overview. I find it difficult to put into writing in a short and concise way the many, many reasons why I feel this development is a bad idea in an area such as this. It is completely the wrong sort of development for the character and history of places like Nundle and Hanging Rock, which rely on their natural beauty and history for their attraction to residents and tourists alike. This proposal has the potential to completely destroy these attributes and turn the area into nothing more than a 21st century industrial complex.

Yes, there are some people locally who support the development and obviously will make their opposite feelings known. However from what I hear, I am only one of the vast majority of people in the area affected by this development, who are not in favour of it. The evidence to me suggests clearly that this proposal does not have the support of the majority of local residents. I urge you to consider the views of what I believe is the majority of people in Nundle, Hanging Rock and surrounds, to heed our collective voice and reject this proposal.


Thank you