Winterbourne Wind Farm

This project has a significant opportunity to achieve the 2030 energy and carbon targets. With the current state of play in NSW, I strongly believe that NSW needs to get going quickly to meet these targets, especially as NSW retires coal fired power plants we will need to replace them with something better. This project will also create jobs, and income for the farmers that let them use their land to host the turbines. Up to 400 jobs will be created during construction, and 16 permanent operations jobs.

I object to this project going ahead as it will destroy the town. This community is so unique, our land will be devalued by the wind farms being built, our children will have to deal with them when they no longer work ,and the actual enormity of the towers are going to be a complete eyesore for the residents and tourists alike. Roads will be destroyed in the process of development, and the benefits don't outweigh what the residents really love about Walcha, it's natural beauty, the connected community and hard working Australian farmers.

There has been a major decline in population, youth and industrial in our town, so WALCHA has slowed down. If these projects inject money, families, work people into our district it should be let happen to boost our economy and for our future youth and generations.

Hi there,

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission. I object to this development based on the following writings from a local resident:

"This particular wind farm is extremely site sensitive, in that the developer proposes to build 119 skyscrapers (this will be the biggest wind farm ever built anywhere in Australia and in one of the smallest rural communities - it should be in the Far West Region of NSW) on the western rim of The Oxley Wild Rivers National Park (Australia’s version of The Grand Canyon}. I personally find this to be outrageous and a travesty beyond comprehension. The park contains The World Heritage Listed Gondwana Rainforests and many colonies of iconic wedge-tailed eagles. It also provides enjoyment to thousands of people, including many tourists seeking relief from the built environment.

Due to Walcha’s somewhat remote location, there are many other problems associated with this development, but I see the major impacts being due to poor site selection. As follows:

Deleterious effects of noise and infrasound on the physical and mental health of humans, farm animals and native fauna. The turbines which are 2 to 3 times bigger than the ones currently in operation elsewhere in Australia (2 to 3MW), that are proposed for this wind farm are new generation and no one really knows what amplitude of infrasound they will be actually emitting. But modeling, probability and common sense would suggest that a 6.2MW turbine will far exceed the critical health amplitude threshold of 80 dB chronic exposure of infrasound across a distance of 20 klms or more. That distance will encompass most of the National Park and the township of Walcha."

Please do not build this windfarm but instead seek alternative pathways to a renewable energy transition in Australia.

Best wishes.

Australia must urgently switch over from polluting and costly fossil fuel (specifically coal) for generating electricity. We must do this for our planet, our kids, and to make our 2030 self imposed emissions targets, which we are falling behind on.

The Winterbourne project is large enough to make a measurably dent in our 2030 targets. It will also create jobs and income for local host farmers.

As we retire our existing coal facilities we will urgently require more projects like this.

I support the project because it good for nearby residents.

The Winterbourne wind farm development is of great concern should it go ahead.
The massive 6.2mw turbines to be built will far exceed the critical health amplitude threshold of 80db chronic exposure of infrasound across a distance of 20kms or more. Such a level of infrasound could be deleterious to the mental and physical health of “vulnerable to infrasound” residents living in the town of Walcha and surrounding districts.
Infrasound adverse reaction is a significant issue for the infrasound vulnerable and for many of those who don’t, under normal circumstances, consider themselves to be vulnerable. See the accompanying treatise on infrasound forwarded to the Apsley Advocate.
The calculated death by turbine blades of 23,000 birds, particularly raptors, per year by the 119 turbines in this wind farm is unsustainable and not acceptable. The turbine blade deaths of flight path insects, including flower pollinating and cross fertilising bees, is also unacceptable. The damage to agriculture wrought by their destruction overtime could be inestimable.
If this development goes ahead its adverse effects on humans, fauna and livestock will, in time, become so manifest that the pressure will come from many directions to replace turbines with modular nuclear. And modular nuclear is certainly coming. Like iPhones, there’s no stopping it. We can all see that since Cop 27.
So why don’t we just cut to the chase and put a modular unit into the Walcha district now? This would prevent all the stress and financial loss for the farmers that is otherwise coming. I don’t see things ending well for the easy, fast wind turbine dollar seduced farmer who, in time, my understanding is, will have to pay up to $500,000 per unit to pull these things down when they’re past their use by date. The whole sad sorry saga brings to mind Ovid’s stated warning in his deification of Julius Caesar – “Grasp all, lose all”.
Thank you for your time in considering this submission and its call for duty of care by Governments towards trusting farmers who don’t seem to understand what they are getting themselves into and what they stand to lose over time.

I am conditionally in favour of the project. I believe it needs to be built to enhance the power system and to help mitigate the possibility of dangerous climate change.
But: the town and district of Walcha are being asked to host an industrial project for the benefit of economies with no interest in our welfare.
I have strong reservations about how the construction phase will impact on the town and Shire of Walcha. Raw materials, particularly aggregate and water, are already in short supply. How this will be mitigated needs to be addressed publicly, before commencement.
Likewise, massive increases in heavy traffic are likely to impact on Shire roads. We need to know that ratepayers will not be required to fund construction and repairs, it is after all a State significant project.
It would be comforting (in a legal sense) to know that a bond rather than a covenant be in place to fund deconstruction, in the event that the developer (for what ever reason) is not on the scene at the end of the project’s life. Thank You for the opportunity to voice my support but also my reservations.
Andrew Burgess.

With the coal fire station closure annoucement recently, there is an urgent need to replace those coal fire plant with renewable energy. Currently both state and federal governments have showed great interest in New England REZ, identifying the opportunity to host a total of 8GW renewable energy project where Winterbourne is one of them. However, despite all the benefits of the REZ could bring to the NSW such as energy bill savings, emissions reduction, community benefit etc, a few projects within the New England REZ have been cancelled due to the community issue historically. Hopefully, with the progress that Winterbourne has made so far, people can change their minds towards renewable projects in the New England REZs and also help facilitate all the other projects in the area.

The climate change is more obvious and the energy source should be changed to more sustainable energy like wind farm.

NSW urgently requires new ways of generating electricity. The Winterbourne Wind project will generate new renewable electricity for the grid. The project is located in a high wind area suitable for wind power generation. The locations for the wind turbines will not affect agricultural production of the host land holders. Walcha township and surrounding shire will benefit from a new industry in the district and a large community fund ($750000 annually). The host landholders have worked together to ensure equality with the benefits of this project and are united.

I believe that this project helps protect the environment.

At the international level, this project supports the aims and policies of the UN, the IMF and the OECD. The UN has 17 Sustainable Development Goals which includes Goal 7 "Affordable and Clean Energy" with Target 7.2 "By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix". The IMF's Policy Paper "IMF Strategy to Help Members Address Climate Change-Policy Challengers" sets out how the IMF can assist with Capacity Development for member countries, like Australia. The OECD's commitment is contained in its "Climate Action Monitor 2022 - Helping Countries Advance Towards Net Zero" (07 November 2022).

At the Australian level, the Commonwealth Government and the NSW Government are committed to reducing our dependence on burning fossil fuels for electricity generation which increase CO2 & methane gasses. These in turn increases global warming's role in climate change. At the local level, Uralla Shire Council recognised the importance of climate change on its residents and environment with many statements in its "State of the Environment Report - 2017-2021". Walcha Council's policies and strategy are specifically stated in the "Walcha 2032 Community Strategic Plan". The Council's goals stated in CSP 6.4 are "Walcha will increase the use and production of renewable energy" using the strategy in CSP 6.4.1 "Establish alternate renewable energy supplies that will meet our energy needs".

The project has great advantages in improving the decentralised generation and distribution of electrical energy by connecting with the grid using the TransGrid transmission network. It therefore reduces the huge cost and environmental impact of large, centralised projects like Snowy Hydro II. That project involves building very large water transfer tunnels between dams with vast amounts of spoil to be distributed, as well as billions to be spent on upgrading the transmission lines to distribute the electricity. Local, community hubs for generating electricity and tapping into existing power infrastructure is a far more cost-effective approach. This project does that.

It is vital that the importance of the overarching goals of this project - to contribute to the decreasing production of CO2 - be given the highest priority. It is all too easy to allow concerns with less important issues like visual impacts, noise and vibration, biodiversity, traffic and transport to thwart the achievement of the main goal. Sometimes, loud and local community voices can be raised on these issues, which really emanate from protecting individual's self-interest. Or they might be hiding their belief that humans' activity does not contribute to climate change - climate deniers.

NSW harbours many of the oldest coal burning electrical generation plants in Australia. Banks and many financial institutions have no interest in financing their replacement both because of their environmental cost, and the cost of producing electricity this way is becoming increasing costly. Thus these plants will not be financially viable in the future. This leads to the need for a rapid build-up of alternative energy sources in a short timeframe.

Regional NSW will benefit greatly because of the large infrastructure investment required which creates jobs and develops skills for the future economy. I understand up to 400 jobs will be created during construction, and 16 permanent jobs for the ongoing operation of the turbines and other infrastructure. Further, the project will deliver about a $1 million upfront contribution and $750,000 per annum to a Community Benefit Fund for the Walcha and Uralla communities.

As a long-term resident of nearby Armidale for over 3 decades, (even though I am now living in the upper Blue Mountains) I was very involved in a number of community development programs in the New England Region. I wholeheartedly support this project.

The wind farm is a good way for using wind energy as renewable energy instead of traditional fossil.

The scale of the project, it’s location and the huge effect on the community, it’s roads, the livestock and environment are major issues. Not to mention the outdated technology being used by a desperate government to win votes in the city.

I believe this will benefit to our environment, our future generations and our home - the earth.

I believe there is an Urgent requirement for us in Australia to transition from fossil fuel generation to slow climate change. We have to ACT NOW to provide batter and sustainable future for our generation. The evidence of climate change is all around us. In recent years the drought, bushfire, floods, storms, loss of wildlife, rising temperatures events are on high.

Australia is truly blessed by natural resources such as sun and wind. Wind energy is far cheaper than new fossil fuel generation, with none of the air, water, and land pollution which is associated with coal. Based on my what I understand, that there is an urgent need to replace aging fossil fuel plants in NSW and Australia, with AEMO forecasting 60% of the existing coal generation will be withdrawn from the energy market by 2030…this will require a staggering buildout of renewables in a very short timeframe. This project will see hundreds of millions of dollars spent in regional NSW, creating jobs and skills for the future economy.

I think it's a good support and good for the society .

Now that climate change is proven, it is of extreme importance that Australia constructs renewable energy infrastructure that assists Australia reaching its renewable target.
The fact that no new fossil fuel power stations are being built and old ones being retired has resulted in a severe energy supply shortage in Australia which will get worse. This has resulted in Australian businesses having large increases in the cost of energy which makes them uncompetitive internationally which hurts our economy. Also, the increase in the cost of energy is hurting all Australians who use energy in their homes. We need this wind farm to provide clean energy ASAP.
The construction of this wind farm will provide a huge economic boost for the Walcha and Uralla communities initially and long term.
Hundreds of millions of dollars will be directly invested with 400 jobs created during construction and 16 permanent maintenance jobs. All these people will be spending on supplies and accommodation provided by Walcha and Uralla businesses. The project will provide a $1 million contribution and an ongoing $750,000 per year ( which is linked to CPI) to the Walcha and Uralla communities.
Also, all properties that will have turbines constructed on their properties and their neighbours will have an ongoing long term guaranteed income for the life of the wind farm.
These guaranteed incomes are not only great news for for all these property owners but for all residents of the Walcha and Uralla communities. This infusion of large amounts of money into this local economy long term will provide economic diversification and have a powerful multiplier effect on the economic health of these communities.
The local councils will have extra finance to improve roads and provide better infrastructure and services. With more money circulating throughout the communities current and new businesses can be successful and provide employment for local people and new people to the district.
The establishment of a successful wind farm with all the associated benefits will demonstrate to other local areas a means by which they too can economically diversify and financially benefit on a long term basis by setting up their own renewable energy infrastructure in whatever form it may take.
There are also more benefits that may arise with the building of the wind farm. New skills will be introduced to the districts and will be useful for other business to employ. Tourism may also benefit as has happened in areas of established wind farms. Many city people are very interested in seeing wind farms in operation.
In summing up I think this wind farm proposal is an outstanding opportunity for the people the Walcha and Uralla districts to provide substantial long term income and wonderful associated benefits for the whole population without having to borrow a vast amount
of money and then have to pay back the loan plus interest assuming a proposal was successful.
In this proposal we have nobody in the whole districts risking any of their own finance. We have a business that will provide all the finance, expertise and take all the risk to create the wind farm and the benefits to the local people are immense.
Over and above this the wind farm will provide energy that is environmentally sound for many years to come.
This is a golden, once in a life time opportunity for the people of Walcha and Uralla districts to help secure their economic future.
This is very important but what is also important is this wind farm's successful implementation and operation can show that the production of sustainable energy can work hand and hand with very profitable financial outcomes for rural and isolated districts.
This proposal is a no brainer and must not be allowed to fail.

It is imperative that we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy to minimise the impacts of climate change. This project will contribute around 3% to NSW's goal of 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, a target we are currently far from achieving, demonstrating how vital this project is in our transition away from fossil fuels.
In addition to reducing climate change, it will further provide jobs for regional NSW, both during its construction and for its continued operations, supporting our economy and our regional communities. It will also provide $1 million upfront contribution and $750,000 per annum to a Community Benefit Fund for the Walcha and Uralla communities.
Due to its combined benefit for the environment, the economy, regional communities and our future, I wholeheartedly support this project.