The Plains Wind Farm

This project will destroy the environment, cost taxpayers and electricity users and provide intermittent energy at best.

Agricultural land will be permanently contaminated, the environment will be destroyed and native flora and fauna irreverisibly impacted.

This project is not in the public interest.

This is world class environmental vandalism.

This project will permanently contaminate agricultural land and native habitat.

Taxpayers and electricity users will suffer. This project is not in the public interest.

This project is not sustainable. The cost of erecting this project does not outweigh the energy gained. The landfill it will take after such a Short life. Also Outweigh any energy gains.

Please find attached opposing submission

OK. How did this get through those other Red Tapes our Government enjoy putting up to get a Agenda onto Our Country, that Has Many Endangered Species under Threat from Agenda Renewables aka 3 Bladed Wind Turbines I Demand Cease and Desist Right Now, Immediately.
Immediately.
Now.
Don't you know why, or Don't you Care, gov.au, very much , very much, very much Quite Responsible for Harm and Loss to Internationally Protected Species being Internationally Protected Migratory Birds. Under Agreements Not being Met by Australian Government, State Governments, Councils, eh.
Gone gone gone are Eagles from my area near the Maybole Mountains Northern Tablelands where Wind Farms are on All the Ridge tops in a Line Across the Top of the Range Northern Tablelands, highest Ridges region Maybole region, Glen Innes.
Gone they are, Raptors.
So Stop 3 Bladed Wind Turbines Now. Right Now. Now. In Australia and Worldwide.
Cease and Desist 3 Bladed Wind Turbines Now. Immediately.
Care for Life, Planetary. Planetary. Yes, Planetary. Care for It - Life , Planetary, and Do So, as your very future will be Threatened by Loss of Internationally Protected Migratory Birds Australia Has to Protect. Has to. Under Agreements International re Protected Migratory Birds is Australia.
Ignored are Agreements re Protection of Internationally Protected Migratory Birds ? Looks like it.
How do you get away with it Australian Government, State Government, Local Councils ?
I Demand an Inquiry, International, into Renewables aka 3 Bladed Wind Turbines that Kill Endangered Species of Birds AND Bats, as well as Internationally Protected Migratory Birds under Protection not, not, Not.
What are we doing to Our Environment please ?
Stop it Now.
I already offered an Objection to this project, but here it is into the Next round.
I Do Demand a International Inquiry into Renewables, especially 3 Bladed Wind Turbines Known to Kill Birds that are International Protection, Endangered.
Endangered. EnDangered.
Endangered. Does it mean anything to the ones in the Office , Oblivious to the Issues 3 Bladed Wind Turbines create in the Environment, Earth.
Doesn't seem so.
Sad that is.
We Love Birds.
We do. Yes.
We view them Every Day - you know, Ibis, flying in Flocks, under Threat now, yes, from 3 Bladed Wind Turbines our Governments in Australia, and those Worldwide, Will Not Ban. Ban. Stop. Cease.

Right. Raptors. Are you Aware of what they Do in the Air, Theirs, Yes, Theirs ?
Are we not getting through to Australian Government or State government re Death to Threatened, Endangered, Internationally Protected Migratory Birds ?
I Demand a International Inquiry Now.
I Demand Demand Demand an International Inquiry into 3 Bladed Wind Turbines Immediately.
How can I get this ?
By saying so on a public portal.
Raptors view.
Raptors Love. Love. Revere. Honour, Hey.
Raptors, the Masters upon Earth, Correct, but yet Ignored by those following Agenda Renewables of Harm and Loss to Environment All On Country Environment, for No reason but Profit, and that Is Correct.
I Demand. I Demand, and I Do Demand, I Do Demand an International Inquiry into 3 Bladed Wind Turbines that are getting Larger. I Cannot understand Why 3 Bladed Wind Turbines are still even on Our Nation, where the people in Australia Allow them ? It is Awful, that the Australian people Allow 3 Bladed Wind Turbines On the Land, where the Raptors, Migratory Birds, Internationally Protected Migratory Birds fly, fly, yes Fly.
Cease and Desist The Plains Wind , Hay My God Right Now.
Right Now.

The Plains Wind belongs in PLANNING PURGATORY FOREVER as it’s yet another pathetic part of the despicable, Fake Green, Weather Dependent, RenewaBULL - Wind/Solar Energy Poverty Swindle that’s an ECOCIDAL catastrophe, ripping off & torturing everyday Australians, causing our Cost of Living Crisis, wrecking our future & plunging us all into Electrification Hell!

I Object & DO NOT CONSENT TO CONtrolling, Greedy Billionnaire Carpetbaggers, Vested Interests & Evil Bureaucratic Ideologues implementing their Blackout Nightmare of Stupidity that is the ANTITHESIS OF CARING FOR COUNTRY, NOT PROTECTING NATURE &
NOT FOR THE GREATER GOOD!

Only Ideological Blockheads/RenewaBULL Cultists would approve contaminating Wind Turbine monstrosities shedding toxic Bisphenol A (lethal to young children & as toxic as blue asbestos) throughout 53,984 ha of Australia’s RU1 Primary Production Land - cursing our healthy air quality, life sustaining soil, water & our children’s Intergenerational Equity with microplastics!

It’s totally disingenuous of the Agricultural Impact Assessment author & Engie to pretend that this horrible Industrialised Electricity Generating Works + BESS has little impact on Agriculture, Nature or People when these ECOCIDAL, Toxic Contaminating Monstrosities are making people seriously ill, causing infertility & deformities, forcing children to wear earmuffs to bed & muddying our groundwater pile driving the bases.

Continuing to run infrasound & microplastic free Merino sheep for meat/wool & cattle grazing on uncontaminated native rangelands & utilising irrigated cropping land is the healthy, Australian benefiting priority!

Approving this RenewaBULL JUNK is NOT ‘NATURE POSITIVE’ IT’S AUSTRALIA NEGATIVE!
Inflicting this MORAL HAZARD on the Hay Council/Community & people of Australia would be GROSS NEGLIGENCE:- “a lack of care that demonstrates reckless disregard for the safety or lives of others, which is so great it appears to be a conscious violation of other people's rights to safety.”

Australians deserve far superior, reliable, efficient, plentiful, affordable, secure, 24/7 Australian Coal, Gas & a clean, safe Nuclear Power future NOT CCP reliant, Slave Labour based, Pathetic Power JUNK - built using child slavery sourced Cobalt from the Congo.

Besides being as UGLY AS SIN - blighting Hay’s iconic landscapes with 188 Fake Green Killing Machines is a Public Health & Safety Risk that undermines Australia’s Food Security, Independent Energy Security, Economic Prosperity & National Security.

References
**RenewaBULL Rip-Off
Preying on consumers because they can and fully aware the Government won’t chase them because they are part of the ISP.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-03/demand-power-tariffs-shock-to-australian-households/103913030

**Warnings Australia's energy transition 'out of control' as NSW market quietly melts down - ABC News - 26/05/24
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-26/nsw-market-meltdown-sparks-energy-transition-warning/103890282
'We'll lose the community'
Mr Dimery was more forthright. 
"That (the risk of blackouts) is an immediate issue we need to solve — no one will accept that in the Australian community and why should they," Mr Dimery said.
"The second question is about cost and efficiency.
"Again, I think … the government will lose the support of the community, we as an industry will lose the support of the community, if we can't manage this transition in a cost efficient way.
"And there is ample evidence right now that that is not the case."

**WIND TURBINES ARE A FAKE GREEN SCOURGE - SHEDDING TONNES OF MICROPLASTICS FROM WIND TURBINE BLADES (KNOWN AS ‘LEADING EDGE EROSION’) - AFTER ONLY A FEW YEARS OF OPERATION. 
Bisphenol A - a toxic chemical used in the epoxy resins that are used to make turbine blades. High speed spinning blades 300 KM/H collide with dust particles, rain and hail chipping off small particles of the resin coating.

Mark Twichell spells out the Poisonous Truth - Why Wind Turbines are a Dangerous Idea.
The Buffalo News October 2022.

"Wind Turbine Blades leave a toxic waste legacy for centuries to come, but there is an even more immediate threat - their blades naturally erode during operation - spreading tonnes of microplastics far & wide.
The epoxy compounds they shed contain toxins that are finding their way into our oceans & drinking water.

The particles eroded from Wind Turbine blades includes epoxy resin which is 40% Bisphenol (BPA) - a frequently banned endocrine disrupter & neurotoxin” - equally as toxic as blue asbestos & lethal to young children.

“Academic research has shown the potential for 137 pounds of epoxy micro particles to be shed per turbine per year.
The resulting annual BPA release can potentially contaminate 17 million gallons of drinking water per turbine while threatening aquatic & terrestrial life.

Minimising the shedding depends on specialised blade coatings that contain toxic ingredients from the PFAS family of 'forever' chemicals which are biologically cumulative & non-degradable.
These coatings likely need replacement after a few years.
PFAS is a common ingredient in lubricants & hydraulic fluids which routinely leak from Wind Turbines."

**18th August 2022 - Dr Eric Blondeel says:- 
“That the plastics in the blades are toxic - is without doubt!”

As far back as 2012 the World Health Organisation warned about potential carcinogenic properties of endocrine disrupters & concluded that these substances pose a global threat to public health.
Unborn & young children are especially vulnerable because their hormone system is still developing.

*https://stopthesethings.com/category/bisphenol-a-wind-turbine-blades/

*https://greatlakeswindtruth.org/newsworthy/media-release-na-paw-will-bisphenol-a-be-the-end-game-for-industrial-wind-the-pfos-poly-and-perfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-pfos-is-used-in-lubricants-coatings-paints-varnishes-plastics-and/
https://greatlakeswindtruth.org/newsworthy/essay-by-dr-ir-eric-blondeel/

*https://bergensia.com/bisphenol-a-in-wind-turbines-damages-human-fertility/ (https://bergensia.com/bisphenol-a-in-wind-turbines-damages-human-fertility/)

5th April 2024
Cowboy State Daily.com
Meet the Expert on Climate Eagle Deaths The Wind

*GROUND WATER SUPPLIES MUDDIED BY PILE DRIVING FOR THE MASSIVE WIND TURBINE BASES.
*Wind farm woes continue as Victorian turbines fail after only five years – www.cairnsnews.org - 11th April 2024
https://cairnsnews.org/2024/04/11/wind-farm-woes-continue-as-victorian-turbines-fail-after-only-five-years/
Overseas in Ontario, Canada, farmers are regretting the day they signed up with wind farm operators back in the early 2000s. What they didn’t bargain on was their groundwater supplies being muddied up by pile-driving for the massive wind tower bases and the ongoing effects of blade vibrations. Incredibly, some claim that the vibrations cause deformities in the feet of livestock.
Bill Clarke, an independent hydrogeological consultant who ran Waterloo Geoscience Consultants Ltd, says he is opposed to those developments that may cause serious and possibly irreparable damage to the environment.
“It is obvious to me that the main aquifer under the Chatham-Kent area of southern Ontario is being affected by the construction and operation of wind turbine towers. These problems are being exacerbated as a result of developers not responding to catastrophic issues for many private wells in the immediate area.
Simply stated, wind towers, for generating electrical power, should never have been constructed over the extremely fragile contact aquifer of the Kettle Point shale,” he recently wrote.
Rural landowners in the Dover area were approached in the early 2000s, and some agreed to have towers erected on their land. Wind tower construction was initiated in 2007 in the Marsh Line Wind farm, as stage one of a series of stages.
“Within a week of pile driving, one resident observed heavily turbid water. Within months of operation, many wells in the Dover area were pumping ground water that was highly turbid, expressing itself as everything from cloudy water to totally plugging up the pressure tanks.
The number of affected wells is unknown since the agreements to place towers on private land also included gag orders that prevented the residents from reporting any detrimental affects on the quality of the well water.
It was impossible to compare pre-construction conditions to post-construction conditions because there was no meaningful data collected to characterize the ground water quality or quantity from a single well in the Dover area.”

EIS
Page 20 - Waste Management – require a waste management agreement with Council
Page 29 – Proposed VPA – notes discussions ongoing at time of writing – could now update to reflect signed letter of intent (LoI)
Page 65 - has an actual assessment been undertaken to get the OSOM vehicle for the BESS through Hay township i.e. Hay Bridge is only rated for B-Doubles (not High Mass) – will need TfNSW approval?
Page 68 - is there any proposed bond to cover decommissioning costs if this occurs – as the document states the applicant will fund the decommissioning – how is this ensured?
Page 69 - Environmental Management Systems – talks about EMS however no detail….
Page 74 - Fisheries permit – states not required – however earlier talks about creek crossings – these typically require a Fisheries Permit.
Page 153 - Council will require PSG to be used as part of West Burraboggie Road widening
Page 164 & 165 - Impact on aerodrome operations and increase in LSALT – applicant to meet costs with implementation of adjusted airport operational requirements
Page 216 - – biosecurity mitigation measures need more detail – wash down where and how?
Page 217 - 300mm decommissioning depth would appear to be insufficient. Suggest should be 1000mm.
Page 242 - Hay Shire Council ask for required of approval to have a Waste Management Agreement with the developer and we can work together in waste management and recycling
Page 251 - WM4 refers to Tamworth Regional Council

Hydrology Assessment
Page 38 - Fisheries Permit will be required for temporary access routes and permanent access.

Traffic Assessment
Page 4- s138 Approval required from Council which will include TMP review
Page 61 - Council will require PSG to be used as part of West Burraboggie Road widening; the design of intersection of Cobb Highway & West Burraboggie Road will need to be approved by both TfNSW and Council.
Appendix A - has an actual assessment been undertaken to get the OSOM vehicle for the blades through Hay township i.e. Hay Bridge is only rated for B-Doubles (not High Mass) – will need TfNSW approval?

Economic Assessment
Page 24 - “ Early provision of additional accommodation options can reduce housing price impacts.” – How will this be achieved?

Bushfire Assessment
Page 21-26 – An Emergency Management and Operations Plan needs to be completed before construction commences, in conjunction with the local RFS brigades. This should contain the following:
• The incorporation of the “learnings” as mentioned on page 21
• The distances and response times of local RFS brigades.
• Potential water sources.
What will the firefighting capabilities of the operator be?
Will the operator have a mechanism to shut down all the turbines during bushfires to minimise EMI interference?
Page 24 – the lack of obstacle lighting mentioned will be a concern for Council.

Aviation Assessment
• All actions stipulated herein should be at the applicant’s cost.
• The applicant should communicate the findings and all relevant conditions of approval to the Hay Aerodrome users.

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Page 99 – Wind turbine design and colouring should be conditioned as per 16.2.2
Appendix E - All mitigation plantings for the identified dwellings should be at the applicants cost. Access should be negotiated with the individual landowners.

Noise Assessment
Conditions regarding the proposed environmental management measures needs to be included in any approvals:
• Revised noise modelling following the finalisation of selected equipment.
• Implementation of an operational noise management plan, inclusive of post construction testing at sensitive land uses, or at a representative location, to confirm the noise levels achieve the requirements.
• Establishment of a complaints management system for site operations.
The complaints management system needs to be include the Council and the EPA.

ACHAR
The recommendations to be included in any conditions of approval.

I fully support The Solar Farm Development along with The Wind Farm development. 12 kilometers south of Hay. The proposed project design has incorporated our need to retain the ability to graze and still perform farming practices. I recognise Engie's considerable efforts to engage with local businesses and community.

I support The Plains Project and its potential to support the renewable transition in New South Wales, and recognize Engie's past positive contribution to Hay and fully trust the company's capacity to deliver the Project in a responsible and beneficial way

Out of human tragedy beyond belief, CA4SE was formed. Since that time, with no government funding, we have been able to put well over 200 people through a suicide prevention program, as well as conduct mental health days at our high school every year. On top of that, our response to a phone call is usually met face to face within 15 minutes. Although we've had a few suicides in the last 14 years, we believe that in the main we have stopped many.

Funding in the bush is often hard to get. The commitment from ENGIE to our organisation has been tremendous in that it will allow us to further commit our resources to the community of Hay.

The use of graft and corruption is often a way of achieving goals. The commitment from ENGIE in no way suggests this way of doing business.

It is enlightening when a company commits to the people of the bush, as it is a rarity. If successful in their endeavours, I am positive that they will continue to support this great Riverina town.

I object to this project. This will cause more harm to the environment and communities than good. The communities surrounding this will not benefit from the project at all.

The proposed development of The Plains Wind Farm in the Hay community brings several significant benefits:

Economic Growth: The project will create local employment and contractor opportunities during both construction and operation. This increased economic activity will benefit the local economy by supporting businesses and livelihoods.
Cleaner Energy: By harnessing wind resources, The Plains Wind Farm contributes to the transition toward cleaner energy sources.
Social Cohesion: The project to date has fostered community engagement through information sessions, consultations and investing in many community programs.
Skilled Workforce: The Plains Wind Farm will introduce a new skilled workforce to the community. This scale of development represents an exciting opportunity for Hay, bringing expertise and growth that hasn’t been seen before.

Overall, The Plains Wind Farm development promises positive impacts on the environment, economy, and social fabric of the local community, making it a valuable endeavour for Hay and its residents.

Since the inception of The Plains Wind Farm in our community, the Committee for Rainbow on the Plains has observed a positive impact that Engie has had on our local area. This impact stems from their consistent consultation, early engagement with community members, and their genuine connection to our small but vibrant community.

The presence of The Plains Wind Farm in Hay promises significant benefits for our already diverse community. It will create new opportunities in terms of employment, education, and networking. Hay, with its latent enthusiasm for innovation, eagerly anticipates this development. Our interactions with community members reveal widespread excitement about the project.

Engie’s commitment to being an integral part of the Hay community is commendable. Locals recognise and respect the Engie team, who have become a trusted source of information. Their physical presence in our main street, including the employment of a local to run the shop front, further solidifies their connection.

The Plains Wind Farm not only brings social and economic advantages but also positively impacts our natural surroundings. The wind turbines, arranged across the landscape, harness renewable energy from the sun, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. As a result, the farm contributes to a cleaner environment by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the integration of wind turbines can enhance the visual appeal of the region, creating a harmonious blend of technology and nature. The undulating plains, now adorned with wind turbines, symbolise progress and sustainability.

Regarding our event, the Rainbow on the Plains Festival, Engie’s support has enabled us to run it successfully for the past two years. This event provides a safe and enjoyable space for rural and remote LGBTIQA+ community members to connect, prioritising their mental well-being. Engie’s ongoing support has been invaluable.

In summary, the time and effort invested by Engie in fostering these strong community connections cannot be replaced overnight. Their continued involvement is crucial for our community’s growth and well-being.

Destruction of the plains wildlife and habitat.
Lack of community consultation or consideration.
Not environmentally friendly as components can be recycled after their lifespan.
Environmental hazard.

Since the inception of The Plains Solar Farm in our community, the Committee for Rainbow on the Plains has observed a positive impact that Engie has had on our local area. This impact stems from their consistent consultation, early engagement with community members, and their genuine connection to our small but vibrant community.

The presence of The Plains Solar Farm in Hay promises significant benefits for our already diverse community. It will create new opportunities in terms of employment, education, and networking. Hay, with its latent enthusiasm for innovation, eagerly anticipates this development. Our interactions with community members reveal widespread excitement about the project.

Engie’s commitment to being an integral part of the Hay community is commendable. Locals recognise and respect the Engie team, who have become a trusted source of information. Their physical presence in our main street, including the employment of a local to run the shop front, further solidifies their connection.

The Plains Solar Farm not only brings social and economic advantages but also positively impacts our natural surroundings. The solar panels, arranged across the landscape, harness renewable energy from the sun, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. As a result, the farm contributes to a cleaner environment by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the integration of solar infrastructure can enhance the visual appeal of the region, creating a harmonious blend of technology and nature. The undulating plains, now adorned with solar panels, symbolize progress and sustainability.

Regarding our event, the Rainbow on the Plains Festival, Engie’s support has enabled us to run it successfully for the past two years. This event provides a safe and enjoyable space for rural and remote LGBTIQA+ community members to connect, prioritising their mental well-being. Engie’s ongoing support has been invaluable.

In summary, the time and effort invested by Engie in fostering these strong community connections cannot be replaced overnight. Their continued involvement is crucial for our community’s growth and well-being.

Renewables are not renewable and have failed everywhere in the world. Solar works less than 10 hours a day and Wind is unknown . Solar panels and Wind turbines last less than 25 years and cannot be recycled. Wind and Solar are supplying less that 10% of electricity at 6.30 pm at night. Electricity will be unaffordable

Submission that The Plains Wind Farm should be declared a controlled action.
Those projects supporting Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) claim that “The intermittent nature of wind and solar resources creates the need for ‘back-up’ capacity to support any supply gaps”.
This statement alone clearly sets out. That by their intermittent and unreliable nature of electricity production, (because of an unreliable supply of ‘weather’ fuel) solar farms and wind farms. Should never be considered as an economic or dependable electricity generator for supplying baseload electricity to a modern electricity grid. To add a BESS to the mix, does not produce one MWh of power and only increases the price to the end user. High prices do as much damage to economies as shortages of supply.
Wind Turbines are powered by a weather fuel the Wind. At 12am on any day, there is no certainty that the fuel tank will have any fuel available as the weather may be calm. Because they can only produce electricity, when the wind speed is between 12kms/hr and 90kms/hr. The industry reports that Wind Turbines only produce electricity on average for only 35% of their rated capacity or on average for eight hours per day. Wind Turbines can be becalmed for days at a time, producing no electricity. Likewise, if a gale blows for several days no electricity is produced. https://www.energysage.com/about-clean-energy/wind/pros-cons-wind-energy/
I believe it would be highly irresponsible to grant a planning permit or allow construction of The Plains Wind Farm, as rather than being able to make a positive contribution to the Grid, its inclusion would be totally negative and uneconomic.
Further points of objection.
1. Consisting of so much compact electrification, The Plains Wind Farm will create an extreme fire hazard to surrounding areas, particularly on a Total Fire Ban Day with the temperature at 43dC and a NW wind blowing at 50km/hr. With wind turbines on 250m towers, a fire in a turbine could not be fought from the ground and water bombers have to stay at least 4 or 5 kilometres from wind turbines, and so are useless in fighting fires in a wind factory. The surrounding land owners should be very concerned about their welfare.

2. If a fire was to occur the risk of soil contamination, would be very great. With unknown consequences.


3. If it should be approved to be built, then it should be mandated that The Plains Wind Farm should have a Public Liability policy to cover fire and other possible damage to surrounding areas of at least $500million to $1billion.

4. Unless The Plains Wind Farm puts up a restoration bond, there will be nothing stopping them from walking away and leaving the local Council and community with a very expensive noxious, Junkheap, that will desecrate the whole area.
For the above reasons I strongly believe The Plains Wind Farm should be declared a controlled action

There are many flora and fauna including vulnerable species threatened by this major Wind development including:
Black Falcon – Falco subniger
Redthroat – Pyrrholaemus brunneus
Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis
Yellow bellied Sheath – Saccolaimus flaviventris
White-fronted Chat – Epthianura albifrons
Southern Myotis – Myotis Macropus
Southern Whiteface – Aphelocephala leucopsis
and many other vulnerable and threatened species.
Wind developers have a very poor record in conducting true and faithful report
This is being proposed in an agricultural area, agriculture must be preserved in an ever increasing need for food and fibre.


.

The wind plains factory must not go ahead. The environment distraction from manufacturing the components to construction then decommission far out weights any savings that are alleged by the supporters of this type of energy production. How can you base our energy production such and an reliable fuel source, the weather.

Wind farms reduce the available soil moisture downwind/. They can create increased fire risk for the whole neighbourhood.