Mr Michael Arnott
`Hanaminno' 810 Brial Road
Boorowa, NSW, 2586
23rd June 2016

RE: Rye Park Wind Farm Project Application - Application Number 10-0223
Attention: Executive Director, Resource Assessments & Business Systems.

I wish to lodge my objection to this wind turbine proposal.
I believe the industrialisation of our rural landscapes with turbines dominating the surrounding countryside for tens of kilometres, and creeping into rural communities, is an issue that cannot be ignored. Our food and fibre industries are already under attack from coal seam gas, coal mines and low commodity prices. Our food security is not assured due to destruction of our food markets from countries with cheaper labour. The only thing that keeps some of us in country areas is the trade-off of living in a serene rural landscape, and to destroy this would be the last straw for many of the Rye Park farmers, just so a pocketful of them can `droughtproof' their farms.
I am concerned about the soil fertility decline with cement, roads, power lines and cables covering large areas that interconnect with the wider landscape, and the subsequent effect this will have on flora and fauna, as well as microbial life.
The impact on creatures from the air, from micro bats to wedge tailed eagles, would be significant and is not properly addressed in this document. There have been many reported deaths from existing nearby wind turbines along the Great Dividing Range.
Safety issues such as the fire risk, and the firefighting risk for local brigades, is also a concern. After being a member of the local volunteer Bush Fire Brigade for many years, and having seen how devastating and far reaching a bushfire could be, I would question the safety of all members, as well as residents and homes, if aerial support could not be counted on in modern bushfire fighting.
This proposal has total disregard for the historic, heritage and cultural places within sight of the turbines. The List of Stakeholders, Appendix J, page 22 does not even include the Rye Park aboriginals, only those cosily living in Yass.
As someone who is over retirement age I also have concerns about the devaluation of house and land prices in the area. It seems the Valuer General valuations show no deterioration of land values in existing wind development areas, however it needs to be remembered that these are based on unimproved values. It is the infrastructure, homes and aesthetics of a property that determines the value. A property that is in full view of wind turbines, suffers the effects of shadow flicker, can hear wind turbines, and is affected by infrasound will not have the same value as one that has none of these.
All of the above inflict long term damage on the social fabric of rural communities which interconnect in very different ways to urban communities. Long standing friendships, community associations, churches, schools and the well-being of our children all suffer when a process and proposal is so insensitive to the genuine concerns of the loves of the people who cherish this landscape.
I therefore request that serious consideration be given by the Department of Planning and Environment of the issues raised in this submission, and that the Department not allow approval of this proposal.
Mr Michael Arnott.

Mrs Margaret Arnott
`Hanaminno' 810 Brial Road
BOOROWA NSW 2586
23rd June 2016

RE: Rye Park Wind Farm Project Application - Application Number 10-0223
Attention: Executive Director, Resource Assessments & Business Systems.

I am aware of the proposal to construct up to 109 wind turbines, in yet another development on the Great Dividing Range near the village of Rye Park.
I have many concerns about this proposal but am particularly concerned about the health implications, both physical and mental, for people living within at least a 10km radius of the proposed site. There are too many conflicting reports, and too many incidences of poor health in wind turbine areas to be able to ignore the issue.
Wind development proponents, Trustpower included, continue to quote a study conducted by the NRMHC "There is no causal link between wind turbines and health impacts on human beings". Trustpower need to read this report in full, particularly where it also says there is enough evidence to warrant further investigation. Trustpower also continue to ignore the presence of infrasound and its effects on people, Executive Summary, page 79, Infrasound, even when there is clear evidence from experts such as Dr Steve Cooper that prove otherwise.
There has been a distinct lack of transparency at all stages of the proposal for uninvolved residents in the area, both in Rye Park and particularly in Boorowa. There have been no information days held in Boorowa, and very little information circulated in the Boorowa Township, even though it seems the majority of the traffic is to be travelling through Boorowa during the estimated 3 year construction period. The increased traffic on the Lachlan Valley Way will increase the `black spot' reputation it already has, and there will be even more of our young people killed on that road due to the inadequacy of the road to take what it does now, let alone what it will need to take in the future.
Only one Boorowa business is listed on the List of Stakeholders, Appendix J, Page 22. Does this mean that the Boorowa Hotel will be the only business in Boorowa to benefit from the development?
The communities of Rye Park and Boorowa have been divided by this proposed development, and will continue to be divided by the Bango and Rugby proposals which together will create a combined development of several hundred wind turbines of up to 192 metres in height, and a construction period of many years. The visual, noise and traffic impacts will be alarming!
I request that serious consideration be given by the Department of Planning and Environment of the issues raised in this submission, and that the Department will not allow approval of this proposal.
Yours Sincerely, Mrs Margaret Arnott

I object to this development in its entirety.
The significant visual impact of the project, especially at my fathers property, Residence 50, will be overwhelming and imposing along the ridgeline.
It cannot be mitigated through the planting of trees.
The clearing of vast areas of bush and grasslands along the ridgelines and through paddocks to access the ridge, will have detrimental impact on feeding for wildlife.
The unknown size of turbines will have a undetermined impact on birdlife, as the area of the blade rotation cannot be adequately assessed until the turbine blades are chosen.
The current power line infrastructure cannot utilise the electricity that this wind farm will generate, therefore it is an unwarranted and proposal.

I acknowledge and thank Epuron for modifying their project to address some peoples' concerns, and thus making this a much better project. But if Epuron can address all of the concerns of the Office of Environment and Heritage, OEH, as stated in their submission, which includes such issues as habitat loss, including tree hollow destruction, and reptile rocky outcrop habitat destruction; close proximity to nesting sites; and fauna strikes, then this can be a very good project.

I object to this application due to their ugly visual appearance, the proximity to residences, and the destruction to the bushland that their installation will require, with consequential erosion that may not be effectively mitigated.

I object to this application due to negative and imposing visual impact that turbines cause as they are inappropriate structures in the rural setting.
I also object based on the noise generated by turbines, having lived within a few kilometres of turbines at Gullen Range Wind Farm.
When visiting my partners father at Residence 50, I notice a significant difference in how quiet it is there without turbines, compared to our house, where the turbines cannot be seen, but can still be heard. I do not believe this is acceptable for anyone.

I object to this development which will be built within 2km of my fathers Property (residence 50) and will destroy the visual appeal of the area.
I continue to be concerned about the developers ability to effectively mitigate against erosion caused by construction.
I have been impacted by the noise of turbines surrounding my current residence near the Gullen Range Wind Farm and do not wish the same to be experienced by others.

As a host of the Rye Park Wind Farm I fully support the development of the project.
The wind farm will enable me to drought proof my farm and assist with the forward planning of my business without the worry of having to rely on seasonal variation.
The income derived from the wind farm will enable be to have a guaranteed source of income, something that farming does not offer.
The economic benefits from the Rye Park Wind Farm go further than just my own situation. The flow on effects to the local business is Yass will be huge. Accommodation services, freight services, all sorts of businesses will benefit from the establishment of this wind farm.
I would also like to express my great satisfaction with working with Trustpower over the last 18 months. They have worked closely with me to ensure the design of the wind farm has a minimal impact on my farming practices.

As a host of the proposed Rye Park Wind Farm I see the economic benefits the wind farm bring to my family as a way to secure the ongoing operation of the farm.
For years we have faced difficult times through drought and the wind farm offers a secure source of income.
The wind farm will also bring economic benefits to the wider community through increased local employment and increased spending by the host landholders in local businesses. In addition, the community enhancement fund will greatly benefit the local community.
I fully support the Rye Park Wind Farm development.

As a third generation farming family which was first established in the Rye Park area in the 1920's and also being a host of the proposed turbines for the Rye Park Wind Farm we fully support the development of the Rye Park Wind Farm.
Most of the infrastructure associated with the wind farm will be on the most unproductive portions of my land and once established will have very little impact on grazing.
The main benefit from the additional income provided by the wind farm will be that we will be able to retain the land for future generations.
Without the income from the wind farm the majority of our farm will have to be sold to pay of debt and fund our retirement.
The proposed wind farm will provide additional income that will enable me to employ more staff, replace existing, degraded fencing and improve my control of noxious weeds.
As past president of the Rye Park Landcare Group and current member of the Boorowa Landcare Group I have plans to undertake some Landcare projects. The reliable income from the wind farm will free up more time and help fund these projects. Also, the reliable income would enable us to de-stock during drought, reducing the environmental impact of over grazing during drought periods.
The wind farm will provide better access to our property for emergencies and fire fighting services. I can see the benefits of the wind farm as our local roads will be upgraded giving us better access roads to our properties.