Winterbourne Wind Farm

• As a health practitioners with 38yrs of working in Walcha, I am greatly concerned about how this industrial work will impact our health system and emergency services, especially medical retrievals.
• Medical retrievals are time critical and I am very concerned that ANY time delays could lead to a negative patient outcome, ie long term health complications, disability, and even the death of the patient.
• Walcha is traditionally a rich agriculture district supported by tourism and a robust timber industry. The nature of these existing industries means that outdoor activities and road infrastructure are at a premium.
• I am concerned that the very incomplete traffic report provided by ERM, in the amended EIS is incomplete and without detail. I am concerned that the effect on medical retrevals has not been considered at all.
• The Oxley Highway that has been deemed unsuitable for OSOM traffic movements for the project, it seems unacceptable to think that Thunderbolts Way supporting several projects of similar size could be deemed a ‘better solution’. The 1660 OSOM truck movements taking up the whole road, 50 to 60 per month for 30 months, 6 days a week, won’t have and effect on existing traffic flows and in case of emergency and medical retrieval services seemed unlikely!
• It was either cute, clumsy or strategic that the developer and their consultants have not included the Ruby hills project or Energy Co transmission projects as part of their cumulative impact assessment. This could possibly be catastrophic to any medical retrieval.
• These projects are of similar size to the proposed Winterbourne project and are time lined to overlap this could mean more than double in the OSOM truck impacts on Thunderbolts Way.
• To state that the trucks will travel at or near signed speed limits and reduce risk by the use of CB radios and slowing sown around school children seems a weak attempt at risk mitigation.
• The word ‘may be,’ was used 72 times in relation to a gravel source within the project footprint. ‘May be” is not good enough to assess what could be another 300 thousand truck movements on our local road if all or part of this ‘may be” doesn’t materialize.
• I call for a 10 km buffer to be enforced around town to reduce risks and impacts on our thriving township,
• As far as aerial agriculture, is concerned, we rely on this to improve farm productivity and farm income.
• We also rely on the rescue helicopter as a critical life saving service in case of a medical accident.
• I cannot see how this service won’t be affected with 118 turbines erected for the Winterbourne project with an additional 140-150 in the Ruby Hills project all within a 35 km radius of Walcha.

Cathy Lisle
Resident of Walcha

I Objection to the proposed Winterbourne Wind development.

The two main areas I object to that remain unanswered by the Amendment report are the Noise and traffic impacts.

As a resident of Walcha noise is a concern with the closest turbine only 6km from town and with the reconfiguration of clusters of turbines I call for a 10km buffer. Experts such as Dr Roger Welch have detailed the adverse effect of low frequency noise and infrasonic emissions from wind turbines. In the Voice for Walcha’s peer review submitted by Les Houson and Associates – said the Winterbourne project wasn’t compliant to background noise as detailed in the 2016 guidelines. I’m concerned that the noise from these turbines we will most likely hear in town, and will have a negative effect on people living in Walcha.

My second area of concern is the traffic and transport impacts that remain void of detail for proper assessment in the Amendment Report. For what we can glean the 1660 OSOM truct movements under police escort, 50 to 60 per month, 6 days a week travel at or near sign posted limits is as fanciful as thinking that this developer could benefit the states energy supply by building a wind factory in this prestine agricultural environment surrounded by world heritage National Park.

Give me detail of how my way of life will not be effected during the construction the 52 month construction period.

In short the biodiversity impacts, the impacts to community have a net cost if this project proceeds, that is unbearable.

Angie Wood

The project’s EIS has identified various impacts but falls short in addressing the full carbon lifecycle, risks associated with toxic materials, and cumulative environmental effects. Based on recent research and case studies—including carbon assessments outlined in FullCAM and comparative data from renewable projects like the Lotus Creek and Capital Wind Farms—this analysis emphasizes breaches in comprehensive carbon accounting, potential ecosystem contamination from construction materials, and broader environmental consequences.

I wish, once again, to voice my Objection to the proposed Winterbourne Wind development.
• The project is too big and will take too long to build affecting the local businesses, tourism and the community in general.
• Increased traffic on Thunderbolts way (the preferred new route) will have an impact on emergency services, livestock movements and general local traffic for years to come.
• On the proposed timeline, running for 52 months it could be considered that there are the cumulative impacts of up to 9 other large scale industrial projects between Tamworth, Walcha and Armidale. Why haven’t the details of the other projects been included in the amendment report.
• I would like to think that the Department of Planning consider a 10km buffer (at least) around the Walcha Township and the same around the National Park.
• Why was the peers review into the Noise impact disregarded? We still need a noise study into the real noise level mid winter - a more accurate representation.
• I am still concerned about the effect on flora and fauna – and that needless destruction of old growth trees that are habitat to vast array of native animals – including koalas and smaller mammals – this destruction will have an enormous effect on their population.
• The amendment report has not provided us with an adequate explanation of how they have reduced the biodiversity offset quota when the footprint remains essentially the same.
• I am concerned about the effect these project will have on land values and the changing landscape from a rich agricultural base to an industrial one.

I also wish to point out the I fully support the submission and issues raised in the Voice for Walcha community submission.

Margaret Wellings
Walcha Resident

I object to the project.
The size of the proposed project is too large.
The damage to our roads with the increase in traffic and no responsibility to make good.
The volume of gravel and water will impact on our community resources
to our detriment.
The wind towers have a limited life and the developer has no responsibility for removal and disposal of the blades etc.
My objection to the proposed development goes back to Minister Kean determining that New England should be a REZ area without consulting our community as this would have revealed that they did not have the support of our community

I grew up in Walcha and return to visit family regularly. 50 years ago Walcha's main industries were wool, red meat and timber. The 3 timber mills have closed (Walcha and Nowendoc) and wool is on the decline. Diversification into other agricultural commodities is limited due to topography and climate, leaving red meat as the principle farm income source. Walcha CDB had no vacant premises, supported 3 licensed clubs and 4 pubs. About half remain. Council had no debt. When I visit Walcha now I notice an aging demographic and a town that is struggling to attract industry, due to distance from larger regional centres. I view the Winterbourne Wind Farm as an excellent opportunity to revitalise Walcha.

We strongly object to the Winterbourne Wind Farm:
We are a small family owned business.
We have many reasons for objecting to the Winterbourne Wind Farm. However, in the interests of brevity, we will outline our largest concerns below.
EMPLOYMENT:
The Winterbourne Wind Farm project predicts it will generate up to 390 FTE jobs during construction, with 1/3 coming from local employment. Walcha as a town does not have an employment pool large enough to service these additional jobs.
We are a small family owned business, competing on a national level against large international corporations. If the Winterbourne Wind Farm goes ahead, we will have to increase wages to be competitive for employees compared to Winterbourne Wind Farm. Like a lot of other business in Walcha, we simply cannot afford to pay grossly inflated wages, and so, will likely lose employees to the Winterbourne Wind Farm. Multiple businesses in town will likely go broke if they cannot find employees for a reasonable rate. When construction of the wind farm is complete, there will no longer be small businesses for the construction employees to return to.
The jobs offered by Winterbourne Wind Farm are only short term, but the devastating affect they will have on our business and many others like it in Walcha will be permanent.

ACCOMODATION:
We are concerned that the project will put pressure on an already tight housing rental market. This will have a detrimental effect on enticing new employees to move to town. Walcha is a small rural town, and has a major shortage of qualified tradesman. The lack of housing, both rental and for purchase, makes it hard to attract and retain employees from out of town.
We often have customers travelling long distances, both to inspect machines before purchasing, and to collect machines after purchase. These customers need somewhere to stay when they come to visit Walcha. If the project goes ahead, it is likely that most short term accomodation will be fully booked by people associated with the project. This will be detrimental to our sales.

TRANSPORT:
As a manufacturing business, we are reliant on freight services from Tamworth and Armidale to supply parts and also deliver finished goods to customers. If the Winterbourne Wind Farm goes ahead, the significant traffic congestion will have a large impact on freight. The expected delays from all the traffic and OSOM movements will mean that parts no longer arrive in a timely fashion. It will also mean that the cost of freight will increase, whilst local freight businesses will be under extreme financial and time pressure.
SUPPLIES:
Whilst the majority of our components come from nationwide suppliers, we often rely on local businesses to supply the “last minute” components required to complete custom machines. If the Winterbourne Wind Farm goes ahead, it is likely that they will put pressure on local hardware stores, and when we need parts in a hurry, we will be met with “sorry, the Wind Farm took the last one”

ENGAGEMENT:
Winterbourne Wind claim to have engaged with local businesses. We have had no engagement with Winterbourne Wind. According to their report “On the 18th January 2023, 12 local businesses were visited. Most of the businesses visited indicated support for the Project.” There are over 600 businesses in Walcha. This is less than 2%. It is likely that these 12 businesses were hand picked, as they would provide favourable feedback.

CUMULATIVE IMPACT:
The Winterbourne Wind Farm is just one of many turbine projects being considered for the Walcha LGA. As such, this project will set a precedent for future projects. The cumulative affect of all proposed wind farms must be taken into account when assessing the Winterbourne Wind Farm project.

Please see attached document for comments

I support the Winterbourne Wind farm project as it will generate off farm income from hosting the turbines.

Our company will benefit from the off farm income it will receive from hosting the turbines.

The Winterbourne Wind project may bring extra families to the community who may attend our church services.

I support the project. Our company will benefit from the off farm income the project will generate.

I am in full support of the Winterbourne Wind Farm.

I am originally from a country where the electricity supply was a huge issue. I have seen firsthand how it cripples businesses and makes running households so much more difficult. Walcha is now my home, and I don't think many people realise how much our lives would change if electricity shortages really took hold, so much of our lives now-days revolve around electricity, internet and phone connection. Renewable energy projects are the key for our lives to continue in the normalcy we have grown reliant on.

Walcha is a wonderful town and community, but is is an ageing community. With job creation during project construction and ongoing service and technician jobs being made, it will provide work for community members and hopefully encourage new young families to move to the area. Something that could only benefit the town in the long run.

The Walcha Council is also in need of financial assistance, particularly now with taking on Riverview Aged Care. Anyone who refuses the significant financial benefit that the council and community would receive from this project are not thinking of the bigger picture with the entire community, infrastructure of the town and future generations in mind.

Wind energy is also comparatively cheap compared to fossil fuel production, without the obvious issues with fossil fuel production. Wind energy production is not a new concept and there are huge numbers of wind turbines on farms around the world, and none of these horrific, scare tactic things people are saying will happen to us here happen in those places. We will still be able to farm as we do, in harmony with renewable energy. This wind farm will singlehandedly provide about 3% of the NSW 2030 emissions reduction targets and I think that is something to be incredibly proud of.

The amended project proposal has responded to all of the valid and reasonable concerns raised in the first proposal. The amount of work, effort and time that has been put into this project behind the scenes is more than so many people realise and appreciate. The constant monitoring of the wind and discussions in regards to this project have been going on for twenty plus years, initially initiated by landowners looking to protect their livelihoods and have a secure income, regardless of farming season. I hope that the project will be progressing to the next step after this public exhibition.

The Winterbourne Wind project will bring many benefits to the Walcha community. I support this project.

The project is too big for our closely settled rural community. There are many other areas in NSW far more suitable for such a project.

Attached in file

I fully support this project and the roll out of renewable energy. We need renewable energy to keep the lights on and combat climate change. These large scale projects need to be approved immediately to ensure that we have enough power to supply house holds and manufacturing services.

I support the Winterbourne Wind project for the economic opportunities that it will present to our town and the surrounding area.
The community benefit fund, the jobs that it will create and an influx of people will give our town a much needed lift. Clean green energy is the way of the future.

I support the Winterbourne Wind Farm ,We have a very good wind resource in the Walcha area and I believe it should be used for the benefit of the whole country.
The wind farm will give a much needed financial boost to the Walcha area.

I support the project as long as:
1. NSW government and/or taxpayers will not be liable for rehabilitation costs in 2060 during decommissioning.
2. Sufficient flora & fauna offsets are acquired by the applicant for the land disturbed both during construction and operational phases of the project.