I support this project as it will support the local economy in construction, maintenance and operational roles, as well as provide efficient clean energy for the nation.

I believe this project is important for Australia’s future in renewable energy.

To Whom it may concern:
Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission in regard to the Wind Farm at Hanging Rock / Nundle.

The name: The Hills of Gold Wind Farm
I object to the name of this wind farm referencing Hills of Gold. I find the use of this name offensive. When this project was first raised to Nundle & Hanging Rock residents, the proposed project was called the Nundle Renewable Energy Park. After the first meeting with residents attended by Someva (Jamie Chivers) in March 2018, a number of community members mentioned the beauty of the Hills of Gold, of what could be destroyed by the wind turbines. A short time later, the project was renamed 'Hills of Gold Wind Farm'. It was like the proponents felt that the best way to get the community on side was to humiliate them. The Hills of Gold has an important historical reference since white man first made their way to the Nundle gold fields. The Hills also turn a beautiful shade of gold in the afternoon sun, the view is stunning, visitors and residents love "OUR" Hills of Gold. The wind farm should not use this reference to name an industrial structure.

Consultation with Community:
Someva & Wind Energy Partners have obviously ticked all the boxes in regard to consultation of residents and businesses to satisfy Department of Planning approval. The project would not have got this far without these boxes being ticked. However, their ability to consult with the community has been appalling, if you have made it clear you are not in favour of the project, answers to questions are vague or without substance. It is clear that have been through this process before (other wind farm proposals), they know how to manage people's concerns in way that attrcts least amount of interaction. I am sure they see "less communication is more".

Visual aspect of the proposal:
I object to visual aspect of this proposal. Nundle sits at about 660m ASL, the proposed wind farm is at 1200 to 1400m ASL but is only a short 4-9 klms from farming communities and the residents of Nundle. To have the wind towers sit so high (230m AGL = total of 1646m see EIS) on the ridge-line will change the look of the mountain range forever. Nundle, Hanging Rock and surrounding areas have welcomed visitors for many hundreds of years, possibly thousands of years, we do not want the hills destroyed forever by this offensive view.

View from Golf Club / Bowling Club:
I am a member of the Nundle Golf Club and enjoy our beautiful course and welcome golfers from all over the state. Nundle is one of the most scenic course one could play.
Golf courses trade on their scenic surroundings and Nundle Golf Club golfers would have their enjoyment of the current highly scenic mountain range, impaired by highly visible 230m wind turbines on a 1200-1400m range. As mentioned above, the highest tip is at 1646m ASL. From Appendix F LVIA Appendix C from the Bowling Club entrance suggests "An assessment based on topography alone identifies around 60-70 WTG’s associated with project may be visible along the ridgeline from this location". Even if only half the towers could be seen from this location, it would be a disaster.

Community Division:
It is so sad to see the division this project has caused in our little communities. It is clear almost 70% of the community oppose this proposal (a signed document has been presented to Kevin Anderson MP, Local state member). Of the balance, possibly 20% of the community are fence sitters, with the balance (possibly 10%) being supportive of the project. Of those supportive of the proposal, many are family or employees of those families who are receiving a financial benefit.
We were once friendly and cooperative communities, now there are people, neighbors , community groups who are unable to speak with each other. This proposal has been devastating to community cohesion and the ability to work together. Regretfully, whether this proposal goes ahead or not, the community division is here to stay. There are no community winners out of projects like these, if the majority of a community does not support projects like these (coal, solar, CSG, wind), they should be stopped. A solar project was recently approved near Tamworth, because the community was onboard. This project at Hanging Rock should not be approved because it is the community that must live with the project, not the developer or the decision maker at the Department of Planning.

Clearing of natural habitat.
Although the host land holder has made it clear that no flora or fauna has been displaced as a result of this proposed development, google maps tell a very different story. The land clearing that has occurred (both legally and illegally) coincidentally marries nicely with the proposed location of the turbines. A further 500 hectares is proposed to be removed to make way for the wind farm, this area is extremely sensitive, stop the clearing of this area now, please do not approve this project.

Entry to ridge line via Devils Elbow by-pass (northern end of project).
A road has been proposed in the EIS that will by-pass Devils Elbow, the only access from Nundle to Hanging Rock. The road that is proposed is via and extremely steep rise up the mountain range that will have a devastating impact on the local flora and fauna. The devils elbow was built alternative access was considered too steep. Please make sure Department of Planning engineers walk this proposed access before the project is approved, the proposed road way is fanciful.

Climate change is destroying the environment and changing weather patterns to be more extreme and unsustainable for human civilisation. This wind farm will be a great project for the state and the local communities by providing cheap, clean renewable energy.

I support this project and strongly believe that this project will benefit the whole state by providing clean, cheap renewable energy. The project will have a long term benefit the local communities as well as the country.

1. - I strongly object on environmental grounds.
The proposed site for the Wind Farm lies on a high ridgeline that forms the headwaters for the at present pristine waters for 3 river catchments.
- the Isis River flowing south into the Hunter Valley
- the Barnard River flowing east to the Manning Valley
- the Peel River flowing West into the Murray Darling System
This area has a special status in that is the high point of connection of these 3 water catchments.
Already over many years development including clearing and road building has taken place in preparation for this project prior to any Development consent. A quick look at historical Google Map images can confirm this.
2. - I strongly object on the impact on Visual Aesthetics.
When we came to this area one of the main reasons was our incredible view of the mountains. Now we are fearful of losing this value. What was a view of high timbered rangeland will become a ringfenced border of ugly spinning towers.
3. - I strongly object on the damage to Community Cohesion.
From the first meeting our Community has been damaged. The few supporters of the scheme are well and truly outnumbered by those who oppose. There is one main landholder beneficiary of the scheme who obviously will be a big winner if the scheme goes ahead. This will guarantee Community angst for years to come.
4.- I strongly object as I believe the correct Process has not occurred.
I made several attempts to make contact via email with no reply, until telephoning directly with regards to the impact of the Project on us. I specifically asked that when the Wind Tower Group was next in the area to arrange a meeting. I have not received any further communications regarding this.
5. - I strongly object to the incomplete nature of the Development Application.
The proposed transmission route is just that, and leaves a lot of unanswered questions as to its route and impact.

6. - THERE MUST BE BETTER PLACES THAN THIS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS.

I support this project as i understand that renewable energy projects help lower electricity prices for consumers and they help create a world without fossil fuels, which will mean a cleaner more sustainable environment for everyone to live in.

I believe that wind projects, including this one, are important steps to create clean energy, support local jobs and move away from current systems of electricity generation which rely on fossil fuels and contribute to the destruction of local environments and global environmental degradation. I also believe that the team behind this project will ensure they are following appropriate guidelines, including those established by the EPBC, in order to protect the integrity of the project and the safety of local humans and non-humans. The NSW government should invest in this project, and similar projects, to move our communities towards systems of electricity generation which respect our NSW residents and our local environments, which are precious.

I support the Hills of Gold Wind Farm Project. The 70 turbines with accompanying battery will be a significant addition to the renewable energy sources for NSW energy needs. The NSW Government is taking important steps to reducing greenhouse emissions, far ahead of the Australian Government, and this project is in line with the trajectory being followed in NSW.
I believe that local supporters outnumber detractors of the project and the benefits to the community, as well as to the nation and the planet, will be many. Benefits include job creation, lease payments to farmers and payments to community projects including road upgrades.
That The Honorable Barnaby Joyce is against the wind farm does not, in my view, 'count' as a valid objection. There are many ideologues in the present Coalition Australian Government and may I say, Barnaby Joyce is one of them. International leaders are calling on the Australian Government to do more to mitigate the effects of climate change but it seems that it is up to State Governments to carry the flag. Thus the role of the NSW Government, in particular here, that the Planning Department looks squarely at the evidence and approves this Hills of Gold Wind Farm Project. Thank you.

The Hills Of Gold windfarm will be an important step towards a cleaner energy future for Eastern Australia. The New England is becoming a renewable energy hub, and I see this project as part of that positive regional move to renewables. The project's proximity to main power lines and the high wind properties of the area make this a viable and potentially massive source of energy, for a future where people are placing increasing demands on the electricity grid to power their lives and businesses.