Winterbourne Wind Farm

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposal for the Winterbourne Wind Farm. It is clear that an enormous effort has been expended on justifying this major proposal. The EIS appears to demonstrate that every potential issue identified to DoP has been addressed. I state it appears as it is not practical for any individual to effectively review a 3000 document spread over 24 documents. I assume however that DoP has reviewed its adequacy before exhibiting it to the public.
The EIS addresses 14 areas of potential impact ranging from noise through visual impact, waste management and even world heritage. Not surprisingly the project is demonstrated to be able to manage its impacts within guidelines. This is unsurprising given the demonstrated low impacts of wind projects. In his 2021 report, the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner noted that only 6.5% of complaints related to operating wind farms. These consisted of only 14 items of which 9 were closed during the period.
The proponent appears to have been engaging and informing the local community for a protracted period covering at least 2-3 years. During this time there appears to have been little or no negative mention of the project in the press. Based on this and absence of negative material impacts it seems reasonable that the project should be approved with limited conditions of consent. A concerning feature of this, and all other NSW projects is the presence on both a community fund and discussions on a neighbour benefit fund. However well-intentioned these funds are they do raise concerns on their interaction with the assessment process. If the NSW government believes that major projects; and in particular renewable energy; need to pay additional taxes on the electricity they produce would it not be better that NSW tax and distribute funds? This would eliminate one potential issue of perceived influence. In addition, it would not restrict project owners from contributing to the local community when projects are operating as other rural (and urban) industries do.
On a project basis I hope that DoP will promptly recommend this project for approval.
There are however greater issues which this project raises which should also drive a timely process. The world, Australia and even NSW needs to take immediate action to address the causes of climate change. NSW has set targets for renewable energy build which it is going to find challenging. Examining the project documents on the Major Projects site it appears to have taken the proponent 3 ½ years to get to this point. This implies the period to get a wind project from concept to operation in NSW is 7¬ 10 years. Around 3 years of this appears to be related to the approval process.
Based on the reports of the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, wind energy projects are not producing significant impacts on neighbouring communities. Neither are they generating significant regulatory activities related to compliance. Given that NSW needs to develop additional renewable generation is the approval process that is being carried out fit for purpose? The 3000 page EIS produced for this project is a significant work but is it appropriate? It is certainly a daunting and opaque document for concerned community groups to assess. In addition, its size is more likely to raise concern rather than allay them. I note that for Winterbourne the submission period has been extended. I speculate that this reflects the fact that the EIS requested by DoP is proving difficult for interested parties to digest? An extended period is unlikely to change the overall assessment, but it will delay the likely operation of the project by at least another 2 months.
Much of the time taken for the EIS appears to have been taken by protracted flora surveys, noise and visual modelling. Given that wind farms occupy less than 2% of the properties they operate on and that quantitative limits for noise and visibility are available why are such extensive studies needed? If it is conceded that overall wind farms can be complying developments then limited description of the works is required coupled with standard conditions such as; comply with NSW noise guidelines. While any change to process would not assist Winterbourne I would ask that DoP considers its process to allow timely development of renewable energy projects to meet NSW and global needs while keeping climate change to +1.5C is still a possibility.

I grew up in Walcha, and my family farm is still there, and I am supportive of this project for a number of reasons:
- the project will create numerous jobs in regional NSW and inject money into the local economies of Walcha and uralla.
- There is a Requirement for the world to turn to renewal energy which will in turn reduce gas emissions (less fossil fuel burning) to slow climate change.
- This project assists with NSW goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030.

Renewable projects such as the Winterbourne Wind Farm are a vital component of Australia's response to emissions reduction. The EIS for the Winterbourne project is supported by very detailed and considered specialist reports that have been developed over a couple of years of research and consultation. The reports appear to the layperson to be comprehensive and considered in terms of balancing the impacts of the project and making project changes to reduce as far as practical these impacts. The extensive amount of EIS reporting and the time this puts onto the approval process for renewable projects overall is not sustainable however, and as was mentioned in the speech by Tanya Plibersek today, changes have to be made to enable renewable projects to have greater certainty and faster approval times. If Australia is to meet our emissions targets then Winterbourne Wind Farm must be approved and future wind and solar projects needs to be approved faster. Opposition to the Winterbourne Project tends to come from the NIMBY elements of the population and government approval agencies should not be swayed by this. We all want cheaper power and we all want to see the light come on as soon as we flick the switch. If this is our expectation than we should be happy to see the infrastructure needed to generate this power. Humans show a lot of hubris in being concerned at having to look at or distantly hear the generation of power when they expect it to always be at their fingertips at an affordable price. If we are to shift from fossil fuels we need to embrace renewable energy with urgency. The Winterbourne project is a fantastic example of a project that has really undertaken deep research and consultation and we need this project, with its large number of turbines (119) and 700 MW power generation to come on line as quick as is humanly possible.

I currently live in a metro area but spent my formative years living in a regional area and continue to have family that live regionally as well. I am passionate about the renewables industry, the regional jobs it provides, the transition from fossil fuels (ashamed to say I worked in the petroleum industry in my younger years), and the opportunities it provides for us to move away from a depleting resource. I strive to do better for my daughter to have a more positive future, and this is the only way we can ensure our children's health, economic stability and the most importantly, stop climate change. These projects inject money into regions that have always had to rely on agriculture and moreover, the fickle weather that drives the agricultural industry. I know that coming from a regional town, where my brother still struggles to produce on the land due to the hectic and unpredictable nature of the climate we now have. Too many families have had to send their children away from regional areas in order to commence study and careers that are often centered in metro areas, and the older generation are left to do the heavy lifting on the land, most often the younger generation do not return. These renewable projects not only inject capital into regional areas, assisting landowners to progress and develop their own land, but they also inject new ideas, ways of working and much needed population boosts to keep towns thriving. They shine a light on the communities and the environment in the area - some would say the environmental impacts are negative but I have seen first hand the positive impacts of wind farms in highlighting environmental aspects and contributing positively to monitoring of bird populations that otherwise would not receive funding.
We owe it to our future generations to accelerate our progress towards 2030 targets and beyond. These projects must go ahead or we and our children face many more years of catastrophic climate outcomes. I thank you for considering my submission.

The Project will create over 200 jobs during construction stage which will bring huge benefit to the local communities, particularly the local hospitality industry. A huge amount of accommodation will be required which will benefit the local businesses.

The Gov is targeting to replace the coal fired generators by renewable energy in the coming decades. So we desperately need this project and more wind and solar projects to be approved.

The project had gone through a thorough environmental study. The outcome in the report shows the project will bring more benefit than damage to our environment and the broader earth.

The project proposed a great community benefit sharing program. I reckon it is a great thing for the local community.

The Project will create over 200 jobs during construction stage which will bring huge benefit to the local communities, particularly the local hospitality industry. A huge amount of accommodation will be required which will benefit the local businesses.

Renewables are not a nice to have, they are a most have for us to have a more cost effective (in the medium term) and cleaner energy future. Wind, solar, hydro all play a part in the mix, not just one. With coal generation being removed from our grid at an increased level there is a great need to start addressing this removal with the addition of sources like wind. I strongly support this project.

I am a Science graduate who undertook my post-graduate study at UNE in Armidale 50 years ago. I have had an ongoing interest in the New England area since then.

I am now a retired academic after 30 years as a university lecturer in Maths & Applied Sciences.

My primary objection to this project is the impact of BPA resin, a dangerous toxin which is a major component of wind turbine blades.

BPA resin from the turbine blades can contaminate the soil and the water table, thereby entering the food chain, in a number of ways -

1. As the wind turbine blades age, bits of BPA resin flake off. Research at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, showed that a 70 metre turbine blade, rotating at 80-100 metres per second, would flake off 60 kg of chemical particles per blade per annum. For the Winterbourne Wind Project with 119 wind turbines, this translates to more than 7.4 tonnes of toxic chemical worn off those blades EVERY YEAR. This is an unacceptable contamination of prime agricultural land and the underlying water table.

2. Rain, hail and snow have the same effect in accelerating the rate at which toxic chemicals are flaked off the turbine blades.

3. When the wind turbines are de-commissioned at the end of their life, it is critical that the de-commissioned blades are not buried as land fill where there would be ongoing contamination of the soil and water table. An explicit End-Of-Life Policy is required at the outset to mandate what will be done with the turbine blades when they are de-commissioned several years down the track.

I object to the project because I cannot envisage any way of avoiding disastrous consequences for this area of prime agricultural land if the project proceeds.

John Cormack BSc(UQld), MLitt(UNE)

The meme that carbon dioxide or any "green house gas" is/can cause serious global warming is not proven so we are probably wasting serious effort.
In this case we are generating serious disruption in an otherwise quiet remote community.
We note that these disruptions to scenery are not going to be in the backyard of those that will use the electricity generated. These unsightly machines create many environmental and social hazards for a bit of electricity that will be used elsewhere.

The Winterbourne wind farm will assist Australia's goal to reduce carbon emissions and to phase out our reliance on fossil fuels to generate electricity. Wind farms have minimal impact on the environment when compared to coal mining and gas drilling and the EIS for the project indicates that all impacts have been considered and appropriately mitigated. Wind farms are essential for Australia and their development must be encouraged; especially if they are designed in a way that respects the local environment, protects local heritage values (Aboriginal and historic), and are undertaken with robust community consultation that is conducted transparently. The EIS demonstrates that the Winterbourne wind farm project has achieved all of these aspects. For these reasons, I support this project and hope that it gains approval consent to assist Australia in its mammoth task to de-carbonise our economy.

It is essential for the health of our environment, children, flora, and fauna that we transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and support investors to deliver projects which will slow down the rate of climate change, provide jobs and invest in the future.

A wind farm with a good view and strong energy is provided.

I believe the longer-term benefits for the region, state, nation as a whole outweighs that of environmental, social, financial concerns currently being voiced

I support this project.

As a resident of rural NSW (Yamba) and just having visited the Orange area during the floods, every community needs to do what we can to help lessen the impacts of climate change. And, wind power and solar will lower our energy bills in NSW. We have to get off of coal and on to renewables. Personally I've visited a number of wind farms and talked to people who live nearby and even grilled a number of wind farm engineers. I don't have any hesitation that this project is the right one given the experts who have done the assessment for placement of the turbines. Bring on the wind!

Create great job opportunities for the area.

Renewable energy efficiency provide greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

I am an individual who has grown up in Walcha on a neighbouring property of the proposed Winterbourne Wind Farm project. In the future I would continue to live on this property as a landowner without the impact of a wind farm. Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission.

I would like to outline my key concerns from the environmental impact statement. The EIS discusses how economic opportunities will be stimulated. 400 full time jobs in construction and 39 FTE ongoing jobs with significant stated direct wages and profits are proposed. I do not believe that jobs would be filled by local residents. The businesses in Walcha already have difficulty gaining employees. The EIS states that local contractors and businesses would be able to supply services. Local contractors are already overwhelmed with meeting local demand. I believe further information should be provided to allow the community to understand which businesses would be supplying services to the wind farm and how this would occur.

Within the EIS it discusses that income provided to landowners hosting wind farms helps make farms more resilient to droughts, fires and commodity price fluctuations. The only individuals benefiting are the landowners receiving income. Surrounding landowners will continue to struggle with these occurrences.

Another concern I have is related to roads and transport. Roads around Walcha are already poorly maintained and unsafe. Despite the information provided, from personal experience Winterbourne Road does not allow two vehicles to safely pass without moving to the side of the road. Roads would need to be significantly upgraded prior to the commencement of construction to ensure the safety of all road users. Ongoing maintenance would also need to be provided. The submission needs to provide a plan of how this would be funded and undertaken. School children are picked up and dropped off by buses twice a day on these roads. How would this occur with significant changes to road use?

By undertaking a simple google search of ‘Walcha’, you can find the terms rivers, waterfalls, natural beauty, country charm and strong sense of community. How does the development of a wind farm meet these terms? Tourism is an important aspect of Walcha’s income. What terms would be related to land covered with wind turbines? Individuals and families looking to live in a rural area and enjoy the benefits of this lifestyle would most likely look to purchase and live in areas away from a wind farm.

My last concern is the use and access of water. Walcha already has difficulty with access to water during drought. Is the excessive use of our water suitable for the development of a wind farm? If the Winterbourne Wind Farm project accesses water by drilling bores, how will this impact the supply of water to neighbouring properties, groundwater flow and future supply.

I am concerned about the impact on individuals living around the proposed wind farm and the impact on the environment. The proposal needs to be amended to directly discuss these concerns and provide information on how there will be minimal impact to property owners such as myself on quality of life and the quality of the environment.

I am an individual who has grown up in Walcha on a neighbouring property of the proposed Winterbourne Wind Farm project. In the future I would continue to live on this property as a landowner without the impact of a wind farm. Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission.

I would like to outline my key concerns from the environmental impact statement. The EIS discusses how economic opportunities will be stimulated. 400 full time jobs in construction and 39 FTE ongoing jobs with significant stated direct wages and profits are proposed. I do not believe that jobs would be filled by local residents. The businesses in Walcha already have difficulty gaining employees. The EIS states that local contractors and businesses would be able to supply services. Local contractors are already overwhelmed with meeting local demand. I believe further information should be provided to allow the community to understand which businesses would be supplying services to the wind farm and how this would occur.

Within the EIS it discusses that income provided to landowners hosting wind farms helps make farms more resilient to droughts, fires and commodity price fluctuations. The only individuals benefiting are the landowners receiving income. Surrounding landowners will continue to struggle with these occurrences.

Another concern I have is related to roads and transport. Roads around Walcha are already poorly maintained and unsafe. Despite the information provided, from personal experience Winterbourne Road does not allow two vehicles to safely pass without moving to the side of the road. Roads would need to be significantly upgraded prior to the commencement of construction to ensure the safety of all road users. Ongoing maintenance would also need to be provided. The submission needs to provide a plan of how this would be funded and undertaken. School children are picked up and dropped off by buses twice a day on these roads. How would this occur with significant changes to road use?

By undertaking a simple google search of ‘Walcha’, you can find the terms rivers, waterfalls, natural beauty, country charm and strong sense of community. How does the development of a wind farm meet these terms? Tourism is an important aspect of Walcha’s income. What terms would be related to land covered with wind turbines? Individuals and families looking to live in a rural area and enjoy the benefits of this lifestyle would most likely look to purchase and live in areas away from a wind farm.

My last concern is the use and access of water. Walcha already has difficulty with access to water during drought. Is the excessive use of our water suitable for the development of a wind farm? If the Winterbourne Wind Farm project accesses water by drilling bores, how will this impact the supply of water to neighbouring properties, groundwater flow and future supply.

I am concerned about the impact on individuals living around the proposed wind farm and the impact on the environment. The proposal needs to be amended to directly discuss these concerns and provide information on how there will be minimal impact to property owners such as myself on quality of life and the quality of the environment.

We are in the midst of climate change and can no longer sit and wait. It is imperative that green energy like wind comes online as soon as possible. It is irresponsible to deny such a project as the Winterbourne Wind Project. The project has invested years in research and community support to enable a project that benefits the community as well as the environment. It is for these reasons that I support the project.

see attachment