Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
BUNDURE
,
New South Wales
Message
Issues we are facing
1. The enormous social and economic costs and lack of compensation to near neighbours of Renewable Energy infrastructure and transmission lines is grossly underestimated by all forms of Government and Renewable Energy developers. The cumulative impacts of multiple developments in our local area amplifies this disruption.
Examples are:
Telecommunication connectivity is an ongoing issue since Dinawan HUB construction began in 2023. The 463 bed camp has reduced our telecommunications to near zero.
No Road maintenance combined with hugely increased volume of traffic on single lane raw clay roads has left our roads in ruin.
Security issues – incidences of trespass and damage to properties
Insurance and liability – a huge issue for landholders neighbouring developments which is not being addressed by Project Developers or Government depts or insurance companies. Landholders need legislated protection from claims of damages to renewable infrastructure.
Fire Control – we rely heavily on fixed wing air support to contain fast running grassfires and are extremely concerned that aerial suppression will be compromised with wind turbines.
Social and environmental disruption, mental health, noise and visual disruption, potential decreased land values and the negative impacts on biodiversity are all major issues for our community.
2. Energy Companies are not only failing to acknowledge the hidden costs, stress, and concern about the unknown issues associated with neighbouring their developments, Little respect is shown in the negotiation of individual neighbour agreements by including unacceptable demands. Compensation varies greatly from one Project to another and in one case a large Project developer does not see it necessary to offer much in compensation for their project to go ahead.
Burden is placed on landholders to navigate these agreements with NO support.
Landholders are being pressured to sign agreements, to then lose any right to object to unforeseen detrimental effects that may occur at a later time.
NSW Planning guidelines are too one sided to the developers favour and in some cases being used by developers to minimise their commitment to a negotiated agreement.
3. The transmission lines and issuing of access rights in the SWREZ lacked detailed planning and Departmental scrutiny that Projects of this size and importance to the National Energy transition would in normal circumstances be required.
Example :
The granting of planning consent by NSW Planning to YDWF prematurely in December 2023 has resulted in many and extremely consequential modifications to the project through the EPBC.
There was No detail in original EIS of construction camp (for 890 employees), or camp location, no transmission route to access the Substation, incomplete surveys and gross understatement of disruption to native grasslands, Myall Woodlands and groundwater.
Statistical change in environmental impact from original EIS for YDWF to the amendments sort by the developer:
Natural Grasslands original impact 130 hectares - New Impact 418 hectares - 223% increase in impact
Weeping Myall Woodlands original impact 5 hectares - New impact 159 hectares - 2967% increase in impact
Superb Parrot original impact 31 hectares - new impact 319 hectares - 919% increase in impact
Total project impact on native vegetation originally approved by EPBC 130 hectares - new impact 1269 hectares for a total 978% increase in environmental impact.
4. The coordination of The Energy companies to minimise the environmental footprint in our unique landscape has been nothing short of a disgrace.
Examples: One Developer has the Dinawan Substation Hub landlocked and are not allowing other energy companies access to the substation, resulting in transmission lines along McLennons Bore Road and the unnecessary removal of protected Weeping Myall.
Transmission lines need coordinating with ALL stakeholders. We question the role of Energy Co in co-ordinating transmission lines to the Substation.
5. There doesn’t appear to be a NSW government department willing to make energy companies accountable for their actions.
Local government is not well enough resourced to manage compliance issues.
Under what circumstances would AMEO revoke an energy companies access licence?
6.Community consultation and engagement has been inadequate as town ‘drop-in’ sessions are not attended by many towns people and they have little comprehension of the impacts of the development of REZ’s. We have suggested an open Q&A session with Energy Co and Project developers to increase transparency.
Where is the Cumulative Impacts Report that Energy Co has committed to (Too late )?
Energy Co committed to putting together a report on Cumulative Impacts. Was to be middle of last year, but nothing has been forthcoming?
Where is the NSW Governments review of the Just Terms Act which enables CGT ruling on Transmission Line compensation ?( Too late )
1. The enormous social and economic costs and lack of compensation to near neighbours of Renewable Energy infrastructure and transmission lines is grossly underestimated by all forms of Government and Renewable Energy developers. The cumulative impacts of multiple developments in our local area amplifies this disruption.
Examples are:
Telecommunication connectivity is an ongoing issue since Dinawan HUB construction began in 2023. The 463 bed camp has reduced our telecommunications to near zero.
No Road maintenance combined with hugely increased volume of traffic on single lane raw clay roads has left our roads in ruin.
Security issues – incidences of trespass and damage to properties
Insurance and liability – a huge issue for landholders neighbouring developments which is not being addressed by Project Developers or Government depts or insurance companies. Landholders need legislated protection from claims of damages to renewable infrastructure.
Fire Control – we rely heavily on fixed wing air support to contain fast running grassfires and are extremely concerned that aerial suppression will be compromised with wind turbines.
Social and environmental disruption, mental health, noise and visual disruption, potential decreased land values and the negative impacts on biodiversity are all major issues for our community.
2. Energy Companies are not only failing to acknowledge the hidden costs, stress, and concern about the unknown issues associated with neighbouring their developments, Little respect is shown in the negotiation of individual neighbour agreements by including unacceptable demands. Compensation varies greatly from one Project to another and in one case a large Project developer does not see it necessary to offer much in compensation for their project to go ahead.
Burden is placed on landholders to navigate these agreements with NO support.
Landholders are being pressured to sign agreements, to then lose any right to object to unforeseen detrimental effects that may occur at a later time.
NSW Planning guidelines are too one sided to the developers favour and in some cases being used by developers to minimise their commitment to a negotiated agreement.
3. The transmission lines and issuing of access rights in the SWREZ lacked detailed planning and Departmental scrutiny that Projects of this size and importance to the National Energy transition would in normal circumstances be required.
Example :
The granting of planning consent by NSW Planning to YDWF prematurely in December 2023 has resulted in many and extremely consequential modifications to the project through the EPBC.
There was No detail in original EIS of construction camp (for 890 employees), or camp location, no transmission route to access the Substation, incomplete surveys and gross understatement of disruption to native grasslands, Myall Woodlands and groundwater.
Statistical change in environmental impact from original EIS for YDWF to the amendments sort by the developer:
Natural Grasslands original impact 130 hectares - New Impact 418 hectares - 223% increase in impact
Weeping Myall Woodlands original impact 5 hectares - New impact 159 hectares - 2967% increase in impact
Superb Parrot original impact 31 hectares - new impact 319 hectares - 919% increase in impact
Total project impact on native vegetation originally approved by EPBC 130 hectares - new impact 1269 hectares for a total 978% increase in environmental impact.
4. The coordination of The Energy companies to minimise the environmental footprint in our unique landscape has been nothing short of a disgrace.
Examples: One Developer has the Dinawan Substation Hub landlocked and are not allowing other energy companies access to the substation, resulting in transmission lines along McLennons Bore Road and the unnecessary removal of protected Weeping Myall.
Transmission lines need coordinating with ALL stakeholders. We question the role of Energy Co in co-ordinating transmission lines to the Substation.
5. There doesn’t appear to be a NSW government department willing to make energy companies accountable for their actions.
Local government is not well enough resourced to manage compliance issues.
Under what circumstances would AMEO revoke an energy companies access licence?
6.Community consultation and engagement has been inadequate as town ‘drop-in’ sessions are not attended by many towns people and they have little comprehension of the impacts of the development of REZ’s. We have suggested an open Q&A session with Energy Co and Project developers to increase transparency.
Where is the Cumulative Impacts Report that Energy Co has committed to (Too late )?
Energy Co committed to putting together a report on Cumulative Impacts. Was to be middle of last year, but nothing has been forthcoming?
Where is the NSW Governments review of the Just Terms Act which enables CGT ruling on Transmission Line compensation ?( Too late )