MOD 2 - Worker accommodation facility and infrastructure changes

Please find attached a submission to YDWF MOD 2

It is my view that the process for gaining approval for the whole project, but most definitely the infrastructure and accommodation was fundamentally flawed and prematurely given. This is affecting fairness and good sense in planning infrastructure to best be located to work in with other projects and cause least impact to the whole area over to the Dinawan substation.
Little detail was given in the initial EIS and what was given was wildly inaccurate and in no way meeting the strict parameters expected of other projects regarding size, location and distance between power poles of lines returning to the substation, access roads, both within and to the properties. The impact on both landholders and the environment was in no way properly assessed. No consultation with the nearest neighbour of the accommodation was performed leading to shock when the location was finally announced. We are of the opinion that this EIS should be completed as if from scratch; not as amendments and therefore timeline determined by a hasty and ill-considered application. The workability of using single lane dirt roads thinly sheeted with gravel and heavy clay beneath for hundreds of trucks a day without any consideration to the current users of the roads has not been addressed anywhere near adequately, and is frankly quite scary and dangerous both to stock and drivers of cars and heavy machinery on the roads. These roads are designed for about 10 vehicle movements per day. Not 200-400 heavy trucks.
It has been the experience so far of having an accommodation camp in the area that rent, medical facilities to name the most impacted are made extremely hard to access for locals. These projects have been billed as a plus for the area but our experience so far has been the opposite.
I am also concerned that no consideration has been given to the underground implications of the sheer volume of cement in the vicinity of our only source of water out here; the groundwater basin. Nobody expects that cement holds its integrity forever, and in fact the one study I have been able to find at all relating to this endicates that about 70 years is the maximum before damaging chemicals will begin to be released. It beggars belief that one environmental problem is being 'solved' by creating such an atrocious decimation of such vast tracts of land.

Submission Attached

The addition of Worker Accommodation for 850 people is a major variance from the Original EIS
Submission that Virya Energy submitted in 2023. The increase in traffic on local roads, road
maintenance and safety, and security to nearby properties are all factors that concern us. The increased
water requirements from groundwater bores needs to be strictly monitored to be aware of the effects
on salinity thresholds and groundwater eco systems.
WTG relocations with increased disturbance footprint for foundations excavation and hardstand,
increased disturbance for cable routes not on tracks, a 750mt 330kv line on Kidman Way to Dinawan
and expansion of Dinawan substation, this has increased the disturbance footprint by 700% from 238ha
to 1,625ha – as stated in the modifications.
The two Projects granted access to the Dinawan Substation should be working together to mitigate the
disturbance to roadside vegetation. The YDWF Modifications include increased disturbance footprint
for transmission connection to Dinawan 33kv substation along McLennons Bore Road, Cadell Road
within road reserves. If landowners are willing to have Transmission lines on private property where
firebreaks are already cleared, thereby saving roadside vegetation, why isn’t this happening.
Energy Co should be co-ordinating this – but are not!
Telecommunication connectivity is an ongoing issue since Dinawan HUB construction began and it is
hoped Origin will continue to pursue with upgrades to the network.
Noise, fire risk and visual impacts will carry a heavy toll on farming families used to the quiet,
undisturbed landscape which is already impacting the mental health of those closely affected. We travel
to and from work and to Jerilderie and schools and worry about safety with huge increase in volume of
traffic on dirt roads and Wind Farm workers who are not used to sharing roads.

I believe the wind farm will bring many benefits to our community. We are already seeing benefits such as to the sports club and the new medical centre is really needed. Thanks to Origin it will happen. The local new jobs will also help our community.

We run large scale entertainment venues and kids attractions and this proposal will allow for higher population, more local spending, and bring life to the local school and community organisations. This will increase the changes of higher revenue and income for not only our business - but also every single local community business and organisation will benefit - without the additional load on the towns water or sewerage supply.

See attachment

I support the workers accom on the farmers land rather than the town having to put them up.

See attached.

The addition of Worker Accommodation for 850 people is a major variance from the Original EIS Submission that Virya Energy submitted in 2023. The increase in traffic on local roads, road maintenance and safety, and security to nearby properties are all factors that concern us. The increased water requirements from groundwater bores needs to be strictly monitored to be aware of the effects on salinity thresholds and groundwater eco systems.
WTG relocations with increased disturbance footprint for foundations excavation and hardstand, increased disturbance for cable routes not on tracks, a 750mt 330kv line on Kidman Way to Dinawan and expansion of Dinawan substation, this has increased the disturbance footprint by 700% from 238ha to 1,625ha – as stated in the modifications.
The two Projects granted access to the Dinawan Substation should be working together to mitigate the disturbance to roadside vegetation. The YDWF Modifications include increased disturbance footprint for transmission connection to Dinawan 33kv substation along McLennons Bore Road, Cadell Road within road reserves. If landowners are willing to have Transmission lines on private property where firebreaks are already cleared, thereby saving roadside vegetation, why isn’t this happening.
Energy Co should be co-ordinating this – but are not!
Telecommunication connectivity is an ongoing issue since Dinawan HUB construction began and it is hoped Origin will continue to pursue with upgrades to the network.
Noise, fire risk and visual impacts will carry a heavy toll on farming families used to the quiet, undisturbed landscape which is already impacting the mental health of those closely affected. We travel to and from work and to Jerilderie and schools and worry about safety with huge increase in volume of traffic on dirt roads and Wind Farm workers who are not used to sharing roads.

I object to the project due to the
- the severe risk of fire, and no definite fire plan for fire control. There needs to be trained personnel, and dedicated equipment not local RFS volunteers
-environmental impact wind turbines on bird life, and flora and fauna. What about the endangered Plains Wanderer bird
-The visual impact to adjacent landholders, and the Jerilderie Village is appalling (especially the separate towers block close to Jerilderie) is a visual disturbance
-blades cannot be recycled, as shown in other Australian wind turbine projects and countries.Fly into pieces. We were told by Origin that they are working on how to recycle the blades, but nothing in writing
-plague locust control around turbines
-Telecommunications affected locally by demand of the workers village and project
-increase demand on local hospital and Gp, with double population during project build
-

Please refer to attached submission