Winterbourne Wind Farm

I am writing to express my views regarding the Winterbourne Wind Farm. As a member of the community, I believe it is essential to recognise the benefit of the project.
Renewable Energy Generation: The Winterbourne Wind Farm has the potential to provide significant amounts of clean, renewable energy, contributing to regional and national energy targets and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Economic Benefits: The project will create jobs during the construction and operational phases, providing a boost to the local economy.
Environmental Impact: Wind energy is one of the cleanest forms of energy. The development could contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions and help combat climate change.

As a grazing business in the Walcha district, I fully support the Winterbourne Wind farm.
A wind farm in Walcha will bring a multitude of benefits
*Environmental
*Social & Economic
*Will work in synergy with our grazing industry
*Huge capital injection to the town with the on-going Community Benefit Fund
*Essential transition of fossil fuel to renewable energy generation

As a grazier in the Walcha district and having grown up here, I very much see & feel the effects of our changing climate on our landscape. In the New England I see trees dying, degradation of our soils, loss of biodiversity and in general, the landscape becoming more fragile by the year.
Our farm boundaries the National Park and I have witnessed the literal devastation of the park from the ever increasing natural disasters, particularly the wind storm & bushfires of the last few years. The Parks will never be the same.... the loss of fauna & flora through this time has been abominable...... how, have we as humans & stewards of our land, let this happen??
We can make a difference to our own little plot as individuals, as many are, but having the opportunity to host a wind farm that will make a substantial difference to Australia's carbon footprint to help reverse the effects of our changing climate and the absolutely essential transition from fossil fuel electricity generation to renewable electricity generation is an opportunity we must take!
Walcha is a beautiful town with an amazing community. We are small and privileged, but cannot remain economically viable without some kind of new industry in town. The Winterbourne Wind Farm can give us that. It will give our town economic & social benefits through local employment and business opportunities, foot traffic through shops, opportunities for our young people such as apprenticeships & traineeships, new skills, new families to settle in our town with skilled partners & children, not to mention the on-going Community Benefit Fund.
The beauty of a wind farm, is that it can co-exist beautifully with what Walcha is renowned for.... grazing. We can continue to do what we do. Walcha has a huge opportunity here, to benefit our town and benefit the environment. What better industry to town could we ask for?
Change is not easy, but we have to adapt. If we don't take responsibility I don't want to even imagine what our district will look like in another 10 or 15 years.
I fully support the Winterbourne Wind Farm.

# Yerrawun Grazing Pty Ltd farms on Myamba which is a turbine host in the proposed Winterbourne Wind Farm. This sheep and cattle grazing operation has been in the same family for over 50 years and has experienced the ups and downs of drought and low commodity prices.
# The host turbine income from this project will significantly improve the profitability and viability of the farm business. In addition the regular income will add resilience and diversification in tough times.
# The combined benefits of this business income across over 40 agricultural businesses in the district who are hosts to the Wind Farm will lead to flow on benefits to the Walcha Community.
# The proposed development will create jobs in the Walcha Community and the Community Benefit Fund will help improve the Walcha town

# The Community Benefit Fund is substantial at $750K per year indexed. Council will administer the fund on advice from a community committee
# Both Walcha and Uralla Councils have negotiated and agreed on the the VPA. The future viability of Walcha Council relies on future economic development.
# The Walcha Community needs an economic boost and this project will help providing 16 long term jobs and accommodation opportunities. There will be nearly 400 jobs during construction which is good for local business
# Host landholders receive extra funds which helps drought proof there own agribusiness as well as improve the resilience of the whole community

I fully support the Winterbourne Wind Project as it promises to deliver substantial benefits to the local community, including a significant financial contribution to Walcha and Uralla. Beyond the economic impact of job creation—nearly 400 roles during construction and long-term opportunities for local technicians—it will also support local landowners and help ensure a sustainable future for families in the region. This project represents a forward-thinking investment that not only bolsters the economy but also supports clean, renewable energy, contributing meaningfully to NSW’s 2030 emissions reduction goals.

I support the development of renewable energy projects that our state so desperately needs. The submissions report for the Winterbourne Wind Farm project demonstrates that the environmental consequences of building the wind farm have been thoroughly investigated and that the benefits of the project in terms of support within the local community, the project's contribution to the state's net-zero targets, and the manageable impact to the local environment and heritage show that the project should be approved.

This has been going on for years it needs to be done, the people who are opposing it oppose everything they don't like change and please we need something to change in this town, it is a lovely town with most people being friendly we need to come into the 21st century and get our heads out of the sand. It will be good for the town to progress good for the council to have some funds injected into their balance. Please stop the stalling and bowing down to a selected few who try to bully other people into their way of thinking and as for Voice for Walcha no one in Walcha were asked if they would like them to speak on our behalf.

My family farm will be directly affected by the Winterbourne Wind Farm proposal. We have been in negotiation with them for several years and are happy that our concerns have been heard & addresed in this latest submission. As a family, we are also keen to take part in providing a sustainable legacy for future of Australian generations to come. We don't want this opportunity to slip past which might lead to regret and higher costs in the coming years when our wonderful country will have to play catch up. We would absolutely love a longer viewed approach to be taken in the present.

See attached letter detailing support for the project.

Australia requires more renewables and the Winterbourne project fits the requirements perfect. Not only will it enable businesses to reduce emissions, enhance sustainability credentials and reduce exposure to future price volatility. It will create employment opportunities in the future for the district and help wean NSW off dirty coal.

If Australia wants to achieve it's ambition of net zero, we need more projects like these to go ahead.

It is difficult to find the right location for a wind farm to be constructed. You need the wind resource and have very few houses that will be directly impacted in the close proximity. You also need to be close to major transmission lines. I feel Winterbourne Wind Farm is in an ideal location and it will bring much needed investment to the local community. I am a host land owner and see this project will enable off farm income to be generated especially during drought years. I support the project.

I support the project.

We have engaged with the proponent, Vestas, over a number of years and continue to stand by the agreement negotiated with them for our part in this important State Significant Project

I own land in the Winterbourne area and support the project for following reasons :
1. The project will deliver direct and indirect financial benefits to the local community .
2. It will create employment and result in upgrades of local infrastructure .
3. It will provide off-farm income for those with turbines to assist in times of inevitable low farm income . It will probably result in increased farm production .
4. When the Snowy Mountains Hydro was proposed in the 1950's there were similar issues raised against the project to those against the wind farms . On completion of the project those issues all evaporated as the value of the project to Australia became obvious to all . How would we be now if it had not gone ahead ?
5. Australia has some of the most expensive electricity in the world . It is now adversely effecting our international economic viability . If , as it would appear , the community wishes to have renewable electricity sources we need to get on with it and play our part in creating a solution for the greater good . There appears to be a " not in our backyard " syndrome in play ?

Rob Royle
0407646180

I, Richard Jeffcote, support approval for development of the Winterbourne Wind Farm.
The amendments to this project can be summarised as the developer demonstrating competence in facilitating the design of a constructible and economical wind farm, while actively mitigating concerns raised by the local community.
I have participated, as a site-based engineering professional, in the development and construction of more than a dozen renewable energy projects over the past decade, often relocating my family to the project location. In a majority of these locations, I witnessed a noticeable reduction in anti- wind farm sentiment as benefits to the local community are realised and concerns prove to be unfounded or exaggerated.
With this experience I believe I am well placed to provide the following views:
• The new transport route and on-site quarry will reduce the impact of over-size over-mass (OSOM) and other heavy vehicles on the local road network.
• Recent realignment of access locations, internal access tracks and electrical infrastructure will significantly reduce the impact to biodiversity while also improving constructability.
• The updated layout reflects a realistic and constructable wind farm.
• The project is well located, with:
o Geotechnical and topographical data suggesting that modest earthworks (proportional to power generated) will be required.
o Nearby road and power infrastructure well suited to supporting the scope of works.
o Investigations showing that “site-won” materials (i.e. gravel and aggregates) will be available on site.
I believe the following should also be considered:
• Civil and electrical design has been progressed to a greater extent than typical prior to development approval, showing substantial commitment to the project from the developer.
• The developer, understanding that it may prompt re-exhibition to the detriment of their project timeline, added an internal quarry and amended the transport route to address community concerns about traffic on the local road network.
• Since the initial exhibition for WBWF, the developer has had a significant wind farm in North Queensland approved with construction now underway.
• The developer has not rushed their response to submissions, allowing additional time (at their cost) to properly consider and amend the project.

The Winterbourne Wind Farm project represents a critical step towards addressing the urgent need to replace coal generation in our energy market. As the detrimental effects of coal-fired power plants on both the environment and public health become increasingly apparent, transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind power is imperative.

Wind energy offers a sustainable and clean alternative that can significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, thereby mitigating the adverse impacts of coal on air quality and climate change. The timely implementation of the Winterbourne Wind Farm will not only help meet our current energy demands but also pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure.

In the long term, the Winterbourne Wind Farm will play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions, a key factor in combating global warming and climate change. By harnessing wind power, we can generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases, unlike traditional coal power plants. This shift to renewable energy is essential for achieving our carbon reduction targets and ensuring a healthier planet for future generations. The wind farm’s capacity to produce clean energy will contribute significantly to lowering our carbon footprint, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Moreover, the Winterbourne Wind Farm project promises substantial benefits for the local community through its incredible community benefit fund. This fund is designed to support local initiatives, enhance community facilities, and provide financial assistance for various projects that improve the quality of life for residents. By investing in the community, the wind farm not only fosters economic growth but also strengthens social cohesion and resilience. The community benefit fund ensures that the advantages of renewable energy extend beyond environmental gains, creating a positive and lasting impact on the local population.

i fully support this project and the overall transition to renewable energy. The Project has minimised impacts and provides substantial benefits to the local community and the long-term transition to net zero.

I object to the Winterbourne Wind Project for the following reasons.

1) BIODIVERSITY - the close proximity to the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park/World Heritage Area, the slight movements of towers does not satisfactorily mitigate against the closeness of these turbines to this area, and the impact to wildlife corridors will still be highly significant.

2) IMPACT TO AIR SERVICES - Walcha is reliant on being able to have access by air - either planes or helicopters for emergencies, firefighting, spreading of fertilizer and tourism. The substantial number of turbines over a large area will have a serious and detrimental impact to these services.

3) ROADS/TRANSPORT and ACCESS - The large number of truck movements over a period of greater than 3 years will have a huge impact on the ability for residents and business to access to URALLA and ARMIDALE, our closest towns. Many people commute using Thunderbolts way for work, education, medical and other purposes on a daily basis. The mitigation offered by the proponent to solve the issues raised in regards to the Oxley Highway, by using Staces Road and Thunderbolts way only transfer many of the existing issues, and create other access issues as mentioned above, that the proponent has not satisfactorily mitigated. Thunderbolts Way is also a road maintained by Uralla and Walcha Councils and the proponent has not negotiated any agreements with either of these councils in relation to the road use and maintenance. Consent needs to be subject to both Councils being satisfied that the funding for road improvements and any increased maintenance is covered by these agreements.

4) DECOMISSIONING - The issues and concerns raised during the EIS exhibition, in relation to the decommissioning have been totally ignored by the proponent, even when a number of supporting submissions from involved landowners have also raised concerns about this issue. There needs to be better protection for landowners and communities, to prevent the proponents from being able to abandon projects owned by special purpose vehicle companies towards the end of their life time, to avoid the possibility of reneging on commitments made during the proposal of projects, that may never be honoured.

We need renewable energy.

Creates jobs

Walcha needs it