Winterbourne Wind Farm

Dear NSW Planning Authorities,

I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed Winterbourne Wind Farm project near Walcha in the New England region of NSW. This project aligns perfectly with the strategic planning objectives of NSW, Australia, and global sustainability goals.

Key planning and strategic alignment reasons to support this project include:
- Alignment with NSW Planning Goals: The project supports the NSW Government’s commitment to increasing renewable energy capacity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is a critical component of the state’s strategy to achieve its 2030 emissions reduction targets and transition to a sustainable energy future.

- Economic and Community Development: The project will provide a significant Community Benefit Fund, with $1 million upfront and at least $750,000 per year to support the Walcha and Uralla communities. This funding will enhance local infrastructure, services, and community projects, fostering a legacy of long-term community developments in line with regional planning objectives.

- Support for Local Landowners: All involved landowners (including hosts, neighbors etc.) will benefit from the project, helping a large number of families stay on their land and maintain their livelihoods. This support is crucial for sustaining the agricultural heritage of the region and aligns with land use planning principles.

- Job Creation and Economic Investment: The wind farm will create nearly 400 jobs during the construction phase and 16 long-term local service and technician roles. With a capital investment of $1.9 billion, the project will inject hundreds of millions of dollars into regional NSW, driving economic growth and developing skills in regional areas. This aligns with regional development plans and economic strategies.

- Environmental Sustainability: Wind energy is far cheaper than new fossil fuel generation and does not produce the air, water, and land pollution associated with burning coal. By supporting this project, we are taking a significant step towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, in line with both national and international environmental goals.

- Global and National Emissions Reduction: The Winterbourne Wind Farm will contribute approximately 3% towards the NSW 2030 emissions reduction targets (relative to 2019 levels). This is a critical contribution to our state’s efforts to combat climate change and reduce our carbon footprint, supporting Australia’s commitments under international climate agreements.

In conclusion, the Winterbourne Wind Farm project offers substantial economic, environmental, and social benefits, and aligns with the strategic planning objectives of NSW, Australia, and global sustainability goals. I urge the NSW planning authorities to approve this project and support our transition to a sustainable energy future.

Thank you for considering my submission.

This project will directly contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions by energy generation. Climate change is escalating and is already having a devastating global/local impacts on the environment. Hot days will be more frequent and intense, sea levels will rise, and extreme flooding will be the norm. This is directly correlated to the increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Part of the solution is to incorporate renewable energy generation, in which Winterbourne Wind Farm - if approved, can make a difference. The national energy market desperately needs new wind, solar and storage in order for the state government to achieve net zero by 2050. The project provides an opportunity to contribute towards the state net zero targets, encourage local job creation and support Australia transition away from coal/gas power generation.

Wind energy is far cheaper than new fossil fuel generation, with none of the air, water, and land pollution associated with burning coal

This project is to support clean energy for our future.

I’m really excited about the news of the Winterbourne Wind Farm coming to New South Wales! This is such a positive step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. With climate change being a growing concern, projects like this are exactly what we need—renewable energy that reduces emissions and moves us away from relying on fossil fuels.

Not only is wind power great for the environment, but this wind farm is also going to bring some fantastic benefits to the local community. It’ll create jobs, boost local businesses, and provide a reliable source of energy for the region, which is a huge win for everyone.

It’s awesome to see New South Wales leading the way with renewable energy projects like Winterbourne. I’m fully behind it, and I think it’s a really exciting time for all of us as we work toward a greener future.

These projects are essential for the state, the country and the planet.

I strongly support the Winterbourne Wind Farm Project.
I think this project will be an enormous benefit to the Walcha & Uralla districts families and organisations. The project will inject $1 million upfront & $750,000 annually at a time when our local councils are being asked to provide more services with less means. Walcha Council has recently agreed to take over the running of our local aged care facility from the Presbyterian Church. This facility looks after the majority of local aged care patients. The community benefit fund could prove to be invaluable in maintaining this essential service.
For host landholders Winterbourne Wind Project will provide a certainty of income in uncertain times with fluctuating commodity prices.
For Walcha, the project will provide a desperately needed new industry. The Winterbourne Wind Project will provide 16 permanent new jobs which will help our town at a time when it is experiencing population decline.
NSW desperately needs new forms of energy generation with zero admissions. With coal fire powered generation on the way out and nuclear power a distant dream.

To whom it may concern,
I am in support of the WWF Project. We need renewable power, as it would appear to be the only medium term solution to generate power, and thus we need to go with/approve such projects. Nuclear is a long way off, if ever, and is currently being used as a political football by those opposed to wind/solar renewables. No project will ever be perfect, but given the background work done already by WWF , I am happy for it to proceed. I should say that we will be a beneficiary of the project as we have negotiated with WWF a long term ( life of the line) remuneration for approx 6 km of 330 kva line through our property Eastlake . If we do nothing many of our power supply options will soon be decommissioned, resulting in insufficient power for homes and industry, and to sustain our living standards.
Sincerely, Gordon T Williams, Eastlake, Uralla, 2358.

Good to develop clean energy

Wind farm is good for saving the environment.

I travelled to New England Area through New England Highway in 2019 with my parents. It was a beautiful place. But the towns have been shrinking due to lack of local jobs.
Winterbourne Wind Farm will bring nearly 400 jobs during construction which will benefit the local community significantly. Also, it will create 16 permanent jobs for the whole life of the project. This will retain more young talent in the region ang bring more vibrancy.
Also, the generous community benefit fund will improve the local infrastructure and attract more talents to the community.
The income from the wind farm will help farmers survive through extreme weathers, i.e., droughts, floods,bush fires.
I hope the project will be approved and come into operation asap.

Winterbourne Wind Farm has offered generous community benefit fund, which will benefit the local community significantly.
Also, the studies and assessments listed in the report are comprehensive and professional. The design of the project took into account all important factors, including but not limited to terrain, wind resources, environmental impact, transport, water resources and grid availability. It is a very well designed and developed project.
The project has mature transport route and grid connection corridor secured.
In addition, the long list of community engagement activities shows the Developer's efforts and sincerity of working with the local community to achieve the maximum benefits for local communities and all involved stakeholders. The community has been given plenty of opportunities to express their opinions on the project.
NSW needs more wind farms such as this one, very well developed, designed and planned.

Replacing traditional fossil fuels with clean energy such ad solar or wind sourced energy becomes a trend due to it's high efficiency and zero pollution. It can reduce the cost of energy as well. We personally use solar at home which saved us bills. Hereby I fully support the project.

Due to the climate change, extreme weather damages the traditional agricultural industries. The farmers are struggling to make the ends meet. It is important to create extra incomes to the farmers and local communities. Wind Farms can perfectly co-exist with the cattle which is an ideal backup for farmers.
New England Region is blessed with abundant wind resources and transmission line capacity, which enables the development of wind farms.
Also, the generous community benefit fund proposed by the Developer will benefit the local communities. Also, more jobs will be created for the young generations.
I hope DPE will approve the project in the earliest convenience. The longer it delays, the more resources will be wasted, the more investment will be withdrawn from the Renewable Energy Industries which will damaged the whole energy market of Australia.

As a man aged over 70, I witnessed the pollution brought by traditional energy industry. Replacing the coal fired power station by renewable energy projects is urgent and important.
The New England region is elevated and blessed with wind energy. Winterbourne Wind Farm is very well positioned and designed to mitigate negative impact on environment and local community. Also, the developer proposed a generous Community Benefit Fund to support the local economy. Not only the turbine hosts but also the whole local community will benefit from this project. Not the current generations but also the future generations will benefit from the clean energy and extra income/jobs to the local community.
Any transition or revolution will trigger dispute between social groups, same as Winterbourne Wind Farm. It is important that the Gov and DPE will guide the ship to the right direction and approve the project ASAP to avoid waste of resources.

I visited one wind Farm in Victoria with my parents. The wind turbines coexist with the blue sky, the green paddocks and the sheep and cows very well. A lot of sheep stay in the shade of the turbines to avoid over-heat. It was lovely to see such harmony between renewable energy projects and the traditional agricultural industries.
Minimising the pollution caused by the traditional energy industries, i.e., coal, gas is a multi-generation task for all of us. I look forward to seeing Winterbourne Wind Farm and other very well developed Wind Farms come into fruition.

As a Victoria Sider, I benefit from the wind farms a lot. I hope NSW will catch up on the development of renewable energy projects.
Winterbourne Wind Farm is one of these projects which is very well developed and will bring great benefits to all residents in NSW and potentially the broader Australia.
The submission report presents professional and comprehensive studies/assessments. The community benefit proposal is particularly impressive comparing to other renewable energy projects.

The Submission report addressed all concerns raised in the Public Exhibition stage last time. All points are thoroughly explained and professionally validated. The quality of the report sets an example for other Wind Farms and renewable projects.
Earlier the project is approved, more benefit it will bring to the local community and the broader Australia Energy Market.

Wind energy is great

Wind energy helps save fuel for the continue develop