Junction Rivers Wind Farm (formerly Burrawong Wind Farm)

We know that the environment with its uniqueness, endangered flora and fauna are not high on the developers list, but they are ours! These enormous structures have no place on our agricultural lands. Their real output is overstated and is not enough to disregard the size of the footprint this project is planning.
This project is an environmental and visual abomination. The carbon footprint of the footings is huge and totally hypocritical. As lifetime farmers and Grazier s in the district we believe it is to the environments detriment.

I am a shareholder of the Kyalite hotel. I object for the following reasons:
- prime agricultural land (known as the golden triangle) which should be used as such.
- subsidies paid by government with profits going overseas and not remaining in community.
- while the short term profit to local business would be positive due to building requirements of the project, it is short sighted and the preference would be to support communities for longevity such as agricultural businesses that encourage families to settle and grow communities.
- environmental factors ( drift to neighbouring farms of spray; killing of bird life in an area that has fostered wetlands in conjunction with universities, farmers, local indigenous).
- division of what is currently an agricultural community that supports a range of agricultural industry.
- very productive land which is prime agricultural real estate. This will be devalued.
The pecuniary and non-pecuniary loss would need to be measured prior to consideration.

A thought: why not work out how to put them on top of highrise buildings in the city where the wind would be at its best, it wouldn’t be impacting Australia lucrative agricultural industry or way of life.

SAY NO TO THE WINDFARM!
This is a risk to fires in our areas, how will this be environmentally friendly putting tonnes and tonnes of concrete in the ground! Who will be responsible to disposing them in 30 years when the company will be shut down to this ridiculous idea! Since day one you have lied to all the farmers, residents and community! Giving false information and straight out lies! SAY NO TO THE WINDFARM!! We will be heavily affected by the noise and we do not give permission!

This project must NOT proceed.
There are other far better placed wind farm projects further to the east of this project that are far better suited to renewable energy production with NO impact to adjacent landowners.
This project has not resolved outstanding issues such as
1/. Plains wander Bird populations - pg 406 Biodiversity report, this does not address if there is or is not populations present , the report states "A population of this species is not considered to be present within the subject land." This is not good enough , is there a population or not ? This species is on the critically endangered list.
2/. The Fauna report did only 2 years of studies and even then was very limited and had big changes in populations between the 2 years ( based on rainfall?) This Fauna/ Bird study needs at least another 2 years of studies
3/. The Fauna report in the 1st reporting period had no Wedge Tailed Eagles and then the next report period had a significant number of Wedge Tailed eagles , a species that will be significantly impacted by these larger turbines.( significantly higher impact than the smaller Turbines that have been modelled for bird strike).
4/. There is approximately 78 Hectares of flora to be destroyed for the development ( just under 10% of the total area of the project 786 Hectares). What is the procedure to replace / regenerate the impacted areas? What is the offset ( land / biodiversity ) that the project must purchase to reduce the impact of this destruction? is it still 10:1 ? if not why not? If any landholder destroyed this amount of area there would be repercussions, legally and there has been criminal cases bought against land clearing.
5/. Why hasn't the record of stakeholder engagement mentioned meetings with impacted neighbouring businesses? even if under the privacy issue, these should at least be noted.
6/. What is the setback distance of the tower structure from neighbouring businesses boundaries?

I am a previous employee of Windlab and have visited a school fete at Balranald. There seemed to be clear community support for a project that brings more activity to the region, and that provides jobs and reasons for families to move to or stay in the region. I strongly support the need for renewable energy and the benefits it can bring to regional areas.

I unequivocally object to the location of these wind turbines!
The EIS statement on the aviation visual report has a photo depicting the area as scrubland. Under this photo it reports
"The land is primarily flat and generally featureless scrubland!"
These are Junction River Wind Farms words, not mine!
These photos and statements are simply inaccurate and NOT TRUE!
This would have to be the WORST location decision to allow the construction of 96, 300 m high wind turbines to be erected, in the Kyalite agricultural area - known as the "Golden Triangle."
It is prime agricultural/cropping land.
The land can only be described as undulating, fertile, rich, red soil sand, that features green crops as far as the eye can see in the winter & gold when its time to harvest in the spring!
The land here grows, amazing crops of wheat, barley, lentils, vetch, hay, oates and canola.
The question has to be asked, Why would you misuse land that feeds the nation?
When other sites are available that in your own words can be described as "generally featureless scrubland!"
PLEASE .... Build these visual eyesores somewhere else!

Concerns about noise on neighbours properties. Impact to land values for neighbouring properties. impacts to the land regarding the amount of concrete used to build the infrastructures. Impacts to animals that use the land.

Say no to the Windfarm as it will cause a bad impact on wild life, loud noises, a fire hazard, dust, will impact neighbouring properties

Despite decades of rolling out wind and solar plants in many countries the CO2 emissions still rise every year. Wind and solar projects, including this proposed stand alone BESS project, just make no difference. This Wind and BESS works will increase atmospheric CO2 and increase our NEM electricity system costs to me and other end consumers. I object to any project that costs me heaps for no benefit at all. Don't approve this useless project!


Also, I object to this Electricity Generating Works proposal because I cannot support a project that relies on slave labour to provide some of the materials and manufacture of tonnes of large scale toxic batteries.

Your sincerely
An Unhappy Australian

My oppositions to this proposed project are many but in particular I am very concerned about the use of industrial lithium batteries. They require many minerals to be mined, including in wilderness areas, that are toxic and, in some cases, require the use of slave labour to keep costs down. The recycling of thousands of tonnes of lithium batteries is not yet viable and, due to their short economic lives, will pollute our environments in a few short years. They pose fire and toxic smoke risks to fire-fighters and nearby residents and towns that will continue to occur despite the claims by the Proponent.


Also, stop the green washing! This project will not lower retail electricity prices nor effect the climate even though it would add to CO2e emissions. Nor will it be reliable as it is dependent on highly variable weather conditions. This year my electricity cost was already 4.38 times greater than it was in 2019 for exactly the same consumption pattern and number of days. It rose every year despite changing to the lowest cost retail plans five times. Why? Because subsidised projects such as these cannibalise reliable near 24/7 base-load power plants. There are now low emissions high efficiency 24/7 base-load power plants being built around the world to meet emissions, affordability and reliability requirements. The Proponent knows this but is driven by profit regardless of the realties for Australians and the damage it will do to them and our businesses. Shame, shame, shame, shame!

Your faithfully
A Concerned Citizen

I oppose Junction Rivers Wind Farm project and would like to address the EIS statement in Appendix 19 Telecommunications.
As stated I am a farmer and an opposing neighbor to the submission of 96, 300m high wind turbines.
The only barrier between the wind turbine factory and my farm, is a barbed wire, boundary fence, that sits a mere 30-50m to the closest wind turbines.
I will refer to your EIS statement pg. 20 of 33 appendix 19 telecommunications. WTG 2km Buffer zone.
"Satellite services will only be impacted where receivers are sited in close proximity to turbines."
"There is a low to moderate likelihood these dwellings may experience some degradation of satellite services. As these dwellings are involved with the project, management of any satellite services impact will be arranged privately between the proponent and the associated land holder."
At NO time has the company discussed with me, interruptions to mobile phone coverage or GPS satellite navigation systems. They are aware of my farms proximity to the turbines and the issues were never privately raised or discussed prior to the EIS application being submitted.

It is not just dwellings which will be affected by these telecommunication issues.
We are Farmers, our work is done in the paddocks.
My farm will be impacted greatly by the "degradation of satellite services."
I have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in GPS mapping of my 10,000 acres of cropping farm. GPS technology allows my machinery to measure grain & fertilizer to sow the crops. It allows spraying of chemical to be precise with no overlapping and keeping the machine in a straight line. My GPS satellite connection with Trimble RTX is efficient and I could not farm without it. Any interference with this connection will render the farm machines useless.
Mobile phone coverage -
refer to EIS pg. 18 of 33
"In the immediate vicinity of the wind turbines some reduction in signal may occur."
I will reiterate, my land is adjacent to the wind turbines-THERE IS NO 2 km BUFFER ZONE! This reduction in signal will occur!
It is integral my phone be in full service to conduct the day to day running of my farming agricultural business whilst sitting on a tractor, my phone is never silent from ordering & delivering fuel & chemical supplies, communicating with contractors, agronomists, accountants, bank managers, insurance guys etc.
My mobile phone allows me to constantly check the BOM weather radar as to wind & weather conditions. This weather report is essential in running the farming business.
AND THEN.... Just imagine there is a farming accident in the paddock and the phone signal is down!
WHY AM I PUTTING MY LIFE, MY FAMILIES LIVES, MY CONTRACTORS LIVES AT RISK, WHEN YOUR COMPANY CAN NOT BE PROVIDE HONEST INFORMATION AS TO WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE TRYING TO FARM AROUND THESE INDUSTRIAL MONSTROSITIES!

Subject: Strong Opposition to Proposed Wind Farm Development in Our Community

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express my deep concerns and strong opposition to the proposed wind farm development in our community. While I acknowledge the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources, I firmly believe that the construction of a wind farm in our area poses significant risks that outweigh the potential benefits. My objections are centered around the potential for community division and the environmental interferences that such a project may bring.

One of the foremost reasons for my opposition is the potential for the wind farm to create division within our close-knit community. The mere proposal of this development has already sparked heated debates and disagreements among residents, leading to a palpable sense of discord and tension. The prospect of erecting towering wind turbines in our midst has polarized opinions and fostered mistrust among neighbors and friends. The long-term social implications of such division are concerning, as it may fracture the unity and cohesion that have defined our community for many years. This also goes hand in hand with our community’s mental state. As a recent widow to mental illness, it is concerning to see the stress this project has caused on my family and friends within in the community. Mental illness towards these particular projects cannot be overlooked and for the sake of everyone in this community I urge you to rethink the potential harm the Wind Farm has/or may have created already.

Moreover, beyond the social ramifications, I am deeply troubled by the environmental interferences that the wind farm could cause. While I support the shift towards clean energy, I believe that the chosen location for the wind farm raises serious environmental red flags. The construction and operation of large wind turbines have the potential to disrupt delicate ecosystems, endanger wildlife habitats, and alter the natural landscape of our area irreversibly. The visual and auditory impact of these structures may not only disturb residents but also pose health risks and disrupt the ecological balance of our surroundings.
We are fortunate to be surrounded by two amazing water sources; The Wakool River and The Edwards River. My concern there is what kind of effect Infrasound from the wind turbines will have on our waterways. Our River systems are home to a huge array of animal species including, but not subject to The Murray cod, The Murray Cray and there have been very limited sightings of the platypus. With some turbines proposed to be under 10km away from our rivers, what kind adverse affects with they have on the species’ breeding and feeding routines? This concern, in my opinion, has been blindly overlooked. More research is needed.
Equally concerning, is the effect that wind turbines have on our bird population. A major concern is that of ‘The Major Mitchell Cockatoo’ (please find the picture attached eating seeds from our pine trees in our backyard) which is now on the vulnerable to extinction list. We are fortunate to be visited regularly by a family of these birds who enjoy eating the seeds from our pine trees. The Major Mitchell population is very concerning and more concerning is the fact that their habitat will be destroyed in the installation of turbines and also destroyed by the improvements and widening of our existing roads that lead to these turbines. Hundreds, if not thousands of trees that could be potential nesting locations for the Major Mitchell will be destroyed.
The Major Mitchell cockatoo is only one species of bird that will be impacted from the proposed wind farm, with many more species in the firing line e.g The wedged-tail eagle, The White-bellied Sea eagle and The Bush Stone-Curlew (Who is on the endangered species in NSW and when we are lucky we can hear them of a night on the farms surrounding Kyalite.

Furthermore, the visual pollution that would result from the installation of wind turbines is a concern shared by many in our community. Our flat landscape provides unobstructed views of the natural beauty that surrounds us. The presence of industrial structures such as wind turbines would mar this pristine scenery, serving as a constant reminder of what we stand to lose if this project moves forward.

In light of these pressing concerns, I implore you to reconsider the proposal for the wind farm development in our community. Rather than forging ahead with a project that risks sowing discord and causing environmental harm, I urge a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to energy development. By engaging with residents, exploring alternative solutions, and prioritizing sustainability and community well-being, we can chart a course that respects both our environment and the social fabric of our community.

I sincerely hope that my objections are taken into account and that together, we can find a more harmonious and environmentally responsible path forward. Thank you for considering the viewpoints of concerned residents like myself as you deliberate on this important issue.

Warm regards,

Margaret Bruton

It is dangerous to the farming communities. If you want windfarms, put them at parliament house not in our backyards!

I am not against renewables. The issue I have with this project is its location in prime wheat growing country, and the unknown effect on the value of surrounding property. I think projects of this type should be located in more remote areas regardless of transmission costs.

I object too project with concerns of noice, dust and traffic issues.

I am deeply troubled by the proposed 300-meter-high windmill farm. The sheer scale of these towering structures casts a long, ominous shadow over our once serene and fertile farmlands. As I gaze upon the fields, the thought of these colossal wind turbines invading our landscape fills me with a profound sense of loss and dread.

The heart of our community has always been our farms, passed down through generations, where the soil and sky merge in a harmonious dance of life and sustenance. But these towering windmills threaten to shatter this delicate balance. Their massive blades will not only dominate the skyline but also disrupt the tranquility that our crops and livestock depend on. The relentless noise and vibrations from the turbines will disturb the natural rhythms of the land, causing undue stress to animals and plants alike.

Furthermore, the installation and maintenance of these windmills will scar our fields, leaving permanent marks on the land we cherish. Heavy machinery will compact the soil, reducing its fertility and making it harder for crops to grow. The shadow of the windmills will cast a literal and figurative darkness over our farming future, as the land becomes less productive and our yields diminish.

The emotional toll on our farming community cannot be overstated. Our connection to the land is more than just economic; it is deeply personal and spiritual. These windmills represent an intrusion, a violation of the bond we have with the earth. They symbolize a future where our way of life is overshadowed by industrial machinery, where the quiet beauty of our fields is replaced by the constant hum of progress at the cost of our heritage.

In the end, the 300-meter-high windmill farm is not just a physical imposition; it is a profound threat to the essence of our farming community. It is a future where our fields are no longer our own, where the legacy we hoped to pass down to our children is irreversibly altered. I stand against this project with every fiber of my being, driven by a love for the land that has nurtured us for generations and a fear of what its loss would mean for our future.

This project will affect the farmers and community of Kyalite, there for will effect my business. I’m a small owner operator transport business and my main income for the year is harvest, carting grain.

This will also affect peoples mental health and tear the community apart

I do not support this project at all, surely there is other areas to put these huge wind farms instead of in people's backyards where they grow crops. This project has torn the community apart and is affecting everyone's mental health. Very un Australian

Bad for the environment

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