I object to burrendong windfarm.
My family and I live on the Yarrabin road, a quiet local road. I have recently been made aware that burrendong windfarm would like to transport all turbines, heavy equipment and all relevant traffic that goes with it on our small road. Our road would need substantial upgrades to accommodate this. My family has owned the land that we live on for 4 generations with my children being 5th generation. We would have never thought that there would have ever been an upgrade to the Yarrabin road as there is nothing but local traffic out here. Land holders who live on this road have built there house close to the road. In fact our house is only 50m from the road. My first point is if we knew this was going to happen, we would have built our house at another location further from the road. We had a drone fly over all our houses around 12months ago with no permission from us not even a mention that this was happening. We then received a map with no other consultation from the wind farm pointing out road upgrades. When I viewed this document the boundries are not even correct, so how can a road be upgraded if the map is not correct. I informed the manager about this soon after but there was no follow up. It even showed the road going thru our front yard. Still no mention of anything from the company. It is stated in the EIS that there is to be acquisitions with land holders… I don’t even know what that is as I have had no consultation.
Also stated that the road needs to be widened to 5.5m. No mention of any tar road, fencing or any other issues that will arise.
Ark energy did not take into consideration the governing body, the mid western regional councils recommendations of a sealed 7.2m road.
Our road not only is a small dirt local road, but our property is open range to the road. Meaning that there is livestock grids at paddock boundaries and our livestock graze along the road 24/7.
There has been no consultation on this and it poses a threat to our primary production business, not only for the loss of land, but cutting of use to our cattle yards, sheep yards shearing shed etc.
We also have country along the river that is open to a paddock that is critical in drought situations and we need to utilise that paddock when our dams are dry. We are using that paddock as I write this submission. If that was to be cut of it would pose a huge threat to our livestock in drought conditions. Its not just the wind turbines that will put us at a loss it will also be the road.
I went to a meeting in mudgee that ark energy was hosting regarding the turbines and asked one simple question, what is the connection between wind turbines and micro - climates as in could that mean less rainfall. The general manager told me that he was not aware of studies around this… a complete lie. So what does the next generation of my family do. If the wind turbines create less rain, a direct hit to our income. And the road cuts thru our country and changes it from the way we have been running it for 4 generations and would be dealing with loosing land. Then we talk about the noise that will be generated from the traffic. I know that on a main road this type of traffic is normal, but we are right at the road and we will hear all traffic and it will disrupt sleep. If a car does happen to go past at night I will wake up to it so I won’t be told that it won’t disrupt sleep. There has been studies done around diesel partial fumes and the health risks, I believe my young children will be out at risk with increased traffic. We also have a family members house that is within 25 metres of the road and there has been no consultation that that house. With the costs of farming being at an all time high. Then the next generations will not be able to sustain the farming practices. there is generations of one family in one area at risk.


Issues with EIS


It states that the average traffic volume of the yarrabin road is 201 cars per day. This is the average traffic volume from the hill end road turn til the burrendong dam road intersection. There is no data from the burrendong dam turn to the 12 mile intersection. At our house we have an average of 4 cars a day. There has been no study on this section of road so the information is false.
it is proposed that the yarrabin road needs to be widened to 5.5m. Going against local council recommendation of a 7.2m sealed road for that amount of traffic. Also there is no wording about fencing or ramps etc.
states that there will be acquisitions of land from land holders. There has been no consultation around that and we live on yarrabin road.
Says that there will be large amounts of vegetation removal, our livestock shade under this vegetation.
States that there is to be 203 vehicles a day, big increase from a 4 car a day average.

For the last 15 years, I have been visiting 167 Rockford Lane Yarrabin nearly every year. I am so disappointed to discover that this incredible natural space is in possible danger.

I live in the city and to be able to travel a relatively short distance to be amongst such beauty, tranquility and to look up at the starry sky above the World’s End Ridgeline is such a privilege.

More recently my daughter had joined me on these trips - and every time I’m amazed at how much she changes. To be away from technology and deep in nature, seeing animals in the wild, looking at constellations in the sky - she learns so much about our beautiful land. She has grown immensely from these visits and she is only in early primary school! Imagine what’s to come.

For this incredible landscape to be scarred by the Burrendong Wind Farm is a travesty. It will be ruined for generations for come, and at its heart, that’s not what renewable energy is about.

I oppose this proposal and its scar across a beautiful landscape enjoyed by so many in the past, present and hopefully in the future.

I strongly object to this absurd proposal for a myriad of reasons.
Ark Energy has not listened, and has been quite dismissive, regarding the concerns of the property owners.
I am concerned about decreased value of my property. The reasons why I bought here, and why so many visitors come to the area, are under threat. It's a quiet, peaceful area with stunning views and lots of wildlife. We do not want wind turbines towering over us and ruining the landscape. One of the wonders out here are the magnificent Wedge-tailed Eagles that regularly soar over the Worlds End Ridgeline. It sickens me to think that some, or all, of them may be killed by the blades.
If these 'renewable energy' turbines are environmentally friendly why is 600+ hectares of bush being destroyed? How are these 'renewable energy' turbines manufactured? From mining and the use of fossil fuels of course. How is that environmentally friendly? What happens to the turbines after use? Do they biodegrade? No, they end up in landfill.
Wind turbines are inefficient, not environmentally friendly, not wildlife friendly, and they will ruin the beautiful natural landscape in this wild and wonderful region.
I am also very concerned about the fire risk. Should one of the turbines ignite it could be devastating for the area. We are an hour's drive from town (ie; from emergency services) in a remote area with poor road access and no mobile phone reception, and there are limited escape routes for residents.
The Worlds End Ridgeline is a beautiful & unique place, loved and frequented by humans and wildlife alike, and we wish for it to stay that way.

I object to solar, wind and battery projects. In my opinion, they will do far more damage to the environment than coal, oil and gas ever did. Beautiful farmland is being destroyed by these toxic projects with no regard to the lasting damage they will do when they no longer work. Toxic chemicals seeping into the land, birds, insects, etc. being killed by wind turbine blades, it is frightening.

Good Afternoon,
As a property owner in the area I object to the Burrendong Wind Farm,
I currently live full time at my property and This will have a severe impact to the environment and the natural surroundings of Hargraves,
I object the Burrendong Wind Farm as it will affect my peace and mental health staring at these turbines,
this Burrendong Wind Farm project has put a lot of stress and anxiety to my family and we do not want the project to go ahead,
Especially the turbines closest to us 67,68,69, and 70.
These are the main turbines that will impact our daily lives,
we have not received any photo montages for our property - therefore we still cant get an accurate visual impact drawing to show us what other turbines will impact our property.

Ark Energy have a duty of care to contact all landowners and provide details on how the turbines will affect individual properties and to date they have not done that.

I object to the proposed Burrendong Wind Farm project.
I and my family have been visiting the Yarrabin area and in particular the land to the east of the World's End Ridgeline for more than 20 years. Indeed, when we have international visitors we make a point of taking them to this glorious spot to highlight the beauty and space that we love so much.
The view we most enjoy is of an evening at Sunset, although I have photos of the Ridgeline at all times of the day - in rain, fog-bound and outlined by stars at night. This experience is priceless.
The size and scale of the turbines, their number and position on the ridgeline will dominate this area, particularly as where we stay faces west. There will be no escaping their presence. Even at night their lights will be constant.
Surely, the positioning of the turbines could be moved further west to ameliorate their impact and retain the beauty which has us return so often,
It is so easy to destroy something in the name of commerce; so very hard to preserve something of immense aesthetic value.
The people who live in the area have a deep connection to the land. Most have been there for decades. There is a reason they have developed homes here. It is a glorious part of the world that is irreplaceable.
I sincerely hope that the NSW Government consider a review where the views of the local community, who call this home, are given due consideration and weight before any final decision is made.
Thank you for your attention.
Martin Fogarty

I am writing to object to the wind farm.
I believe wind farms cause damage to the local environment, and fail to live up to the promises that they will save the planet from climate change.
I am a regular visitor and work and stay on a property at Hargraves and do not want to see any impact on the area or its surrounds. The area has amazing and diverse wildlife that we need to protect.
I would like to note that a minimum I request to reduce the impact the property I work and visit that you delete turbines 67,68,69 and 70 which are the turbines closest to the property.

With Thanks

We regularly visit and stay on an amazing property at Hargraves to admire the amazing birdlife and incredibly diversife wildlife.
My proposal is to ask for the windfarm not to be approved, but at a minimum to reduce the impact on the property we regulrly stay at and visit we request to delete turbines 67,68,69 and 70 which are the turbines closest to the property we use.

With Thanks

Melissa Thomson

Wellington Valley Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation (WVWAC) would like to thank you for your invitation to provide a response for This Aboriginal Cultural Heritage issue relevant to obligations to protect our Heritage within our Traditional Lands. Wellington Valley Wiradjuri represent traditional families with identified apical ancestry pre European occupation with our known Traditional Lands. We know our culture, country and continue with our association with our traditional lands (Ngurangbang). Traditionally Aboriginal People were wholistic land managers and we see Environmental and Heritage Issues as one.

Wellington Valley Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation (WVWAC) have through consultation with other Traditional Elders and Traditional Community with cultural knowledge have the following comments and or recommendations:

* All tracks that are to be used by this project should be fully surveyed to ensure that Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Material will not be destroyed by heavy vehicles or machinery. Any un-surveyed areas of which there are sections in maps within Appendix N - Aboriginal Cultural Heritage must be surveyed. This includes the actual route and locations of powerlines.

* All environmental offsets should be procured within the local area close to the project, the use of Credits does not sit well with the Aboriginal and other local community.

* In Appendix H - Biodiversity, Section 10.8 on page 42, there is High Concern of Collision Strike Modelling for At Rick Species, of which there are 4 listed and two additional of high concern. Of High concern are the White-Striped Freetail Bat and the Wedge Tail Eagle. For Local Aboriginal Community the Wedgetail Eagle or Maliyan is a Creation Spirit and for Some a Totem which makes these birds sacred to us. The High risk of collision is unacceptable. Community have also noticed a decline in the number of Wedge Tailed Eagles in the area compared to the mid 1990's and further loss may see them decline to the point of not being able to breed or have a population that is sustainable.

* In Appendix H - Biodiversity, Koalas are listed as of concern and some evidence of them being close to the Biodiversity sample sites were recorded. The report also shows that the NSW Listing Status as Vulnerable as does the EPBC Listing Status however this is different to the NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) as of 20 May 2022 listing Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus as an endangered species. Farmers and other community that have association with the project area have seen a continued decline of these animals from the 1980's to present and there are real fears that this endangered species will be negatively impacted due to loss of habitat due to the clearing of their forage source.