The Plains Wind Farm

Wind projects are simply not going to solve any issues of replacing proven, 24/7 reliable, cheap and environmentally friendly conventional power. They are unreliable, expensive (very expensive if you include the costs of transmission and backing up by conventional power), environmentally destructive and intrusive on landholders properties and remnant bush and iconic animals.
What you are doing is not 'saving the planet' you are, in effect 'destroying the planet'.

Submission attached

There are two general objections to net zero proposals to build more RE facilities.

1. The ABC of intermittent energy explains that the transition to wind and solar power is impossible with current storage technology.
See attached and also https://www.flickerpower.com/index.php/search/categories/general/list-of-briefing-notes

2. A resolution at the last UN COP conference stated that the pursuit of net zero should not be done at the expense of productive agricultural land for food production.

The wide open farming plains of Hay may not appear to be habitat for very much biodiversity, but they are home to a plethoria of protected fauna that have co-existed with farming for generations, a few of which are as follows: The Black Falcon (threateded), Koala (endandered), Australoian Bustard (vulnerable), Little Eagle (vulnerable), Pink Tailed Lizard (vulnerable), and numerous other species.
Not only are the plains habitat to much biodiversity, they provide a reliable supply of quality food to Australia's population, and should not be sacrificed to unreliable wind and solar factories.
There is also contamination issues to be considered. Please see attached:

I oppose this Project and all other WIND FACTORIES IN Australia with a pathetic Energy Factor of 25-30 % efficiency.
It will have no positive effect on saving the planet and environment and will have zero effect on the climate that DOES NOT NEED SAVING.
NET ZERO IS A CORRUPT LIE

I object to this project. Is it directly threatening the plans wander, a flightless bird.
Agricultural land should be kept for food production not industrialised with uncontrollable unreliable intermittent energy generation

I strongly object to this project which is nothing more than environmental vandalism due to impacts to vulnerable and threatened species by this major Wind development includes:
The 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

I object to this major 450mw BESS proposal going ahead due to the impacted vulnerable and threatened species by this major Solar BESS development includes:
Koala – Endangered
Masked Owl - Breeding
Pink tailed Legless Lizard - V
Australian Bustard BC Act – Endangered
Curlew Sandpiper – CE
White Bellied Sea Eagle – V
Litte Eagle (Breeding) – V
Swift Parrot – E
Southern Bell Frog – (BC Act Endangered)
Major Mitchels Cockatoo – Breeding – V
Plains wanderer (Breeding) – Critically Endangered
A spear-grass - Austrostipa wakoolica - V
Claypan Daisy – Brachyscome muelleroides – V
Mossgiel Daisy – Brachyscome – V
A burr -daisy – Calotis morrei – E
Bindweed – Convolvulus (BC Act E)
The 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

I object to this submission
There are a number vulnerable and threatened species by this major Wind development includes:
1. The Black Falcon – Falco subniger
2. Redthroat – Pyrrholaemus brunneus
3. Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis
4. Yellow bellied Sheath – Saccolaimus flaviventris
5. White-fronted Chat – Epthianura albifrons
6. Southern Myotis – Myotis Macropus
7. Southern Whiteface – Aphelocephala leucopsis
and many other vulnerable and threatened species.

There are a number vulnerable and threatened species by this major Wind development includes:
1. The Black Falcon – Falco subniger
2. Redthroat – Pyrrholaemus brunneus
3. Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis
4. Yellow bellied Sheath – Saccolaimus flaviventris
5. White-fronted Chat – Epthianura albifrons
6. Southern Myotis – Myotis Macropus
7. Southern Whiteface – Aphelocephala leucopsis
and many other vulnerable and threatened species.

Besides the well documented impact on local wildlife, the practical aspects of this project is fraught with impracticalities
The area is know for extensive wind droughts
The fire risk of malfunction turbines is immense
The risk to the extensive ariel agriculture is immense
The storage of expired turbine blades has not bee advised as these cannot be reused or recycled- there are here forever
The return on capital invested is abysmal maybe even none existent
What happens to the thousands of litres of turbine oil that has to be changed every 3 months? the smaller turbines have an oil capacity of 1100 litres
The end of l ife of the very short production period of about 20 years with two changes of turbine blades, has not been addressed as to who cleans up the mess - the land owner? the local council at ratepayer expense? the developer who has on sold this disaster to others

I have no association with the proponent or its consultants. I am familiar with the site selection and planning assessment processes for renewable energy projects across a number of States including NSW. The site is located in extensive grazing land. The proposal will have minimal impact at a regional level on agricultural land and productivity. The biodiversity assessment is thorough and credible, and set off no alarm bells. Projects like this are vital for Australia’s mitigation of climate risk while supporting energy security as the coal-fired power station fleet retires. There is no impact on landscape qualities of note in a narrow visual sense. I cannot comment on indigenous cultural values, but that aside this project demonstrates considerable planning merit and is non-contentious given that securing clean energy resources is a national priority.

i object to the Plains Wind Farm construction.
This ugly monstrosity will be visible for many km in every direction.
It is not environmentally friendly, components are not locally produced or recyclable and it isn't even a reliable energy resource.
Destruction of native wildlife and their habitat.

Totally object !
We have the most beautiful country in the world these ugly windfarms are destroying our beautiful country, wildlife and their habitat.
They are not an environmentally or economically effective resource.
We also have the most efficient farmers in the world and the rural communities are being destroyed by these ugly projects.

Engie Plains Windfarm has supported our organisation and the community of Hay.
As a small RURAL isolated town, This Grant has given members of the community The opportunity to gain training in suicide prevention. this is an issue in our town which affects every member of the community, directly or indirectly. This education will give community members practical life skills and knowledge. Thank you to Engie for the support of the Hay community and the CASE organisation. The CASE organisation is a voluntary group and does not get any Government funding and thanks to the Engie support we are able to continue our community education, for which we are greatful.

- Strongly against project
- Not viable for this area. We are a long way from where the energy needs to be.
- Affecting our livelihoods and our rights as land holders

I object to the windfarm proposal.
It is an ugly irresponsable mark on our beautiful country.
wind is not a reliable energy resource that is destroying the environment and our communities leaving us with a mess to clean up after its short lifespan.

Health risks & Landfill when they are past used by dates.

Wind "farms" do not provide a reliable source of Energy Security. They are weather dependant with a limited lifespan.
There is no plan for environmentally responsible disposal at end of life, often with the cost of the disposal borne by the land owner.
The visual impact of these wind turbines will be unthinkable - this is not what we want in Country NSW, in our backyard.
Regional NSW should not have to bear the burden of supporting metropolitan cities and their power usage.
It is due to these so-called renewable energy projects that rural NSW farmers are being expected to host these repulsive 500Kv Transmission Lines that restrict the land owners ability to farm around them.
Components for this renewable energy project would likely be sourced from China and their slave labour supply chains, not supporting Australian Industries.
The renewable energy project is not viable in their own right - it is heavy subsided by Government.
It has been suggested that to obtain 100% Green Energy up to 70% of productive farm land would be required and taken out of production to achieve this target. This project is using irreplaceable agricultural land, land that is used for food and fibre production, threating our future food security.

I object to this project.
It will destroy the environment, native animals and farming communities.
Wind farms are not environmentally friendly at all.
The components used to build them come from communist countries that don’t have any regard for the environment or the welfare of the poor workers ( slave labour)