I support the RYE PARK windfarm. I believe energy from renewable sources is the way of the future, an inevitability. I believe Australia should be a leader in this sector and that this windfarm can contribute to our renewable energy future. The RYE PARK area has a very good wind resource and is overwhelmingly farmland. I think the synergy between wind and agriculture is one that farmers can take advantage of. Lease payments from the windfarm will dramatically increase financial resilience during drought and low commodity prices for the farmer and the local community. If TRUSTPOWER are proposing to inject about $2 million per year for the next 20 years into the local community this has to be a positive outcome for RYE PARK.
I believe all of the environmental concerns raised by opponents of the windfarm have been comprehensively addressed by TRUSTPOWER.
It is important to remember that windfarms do not use any water, which is becoming an increasingly scarce resource.

I am concerned that if the proponant goes outside the approved project there does not appear to be any safeguards or penalties. For example if the proposed traffic counts and heavy vehicle types are exceeded what penalties are bought to bare?

I object to the loss of property values in areas adjacent to wind turbines and the loss of the ability to take out loans on the affected land A number of residents have chosen to live around Rye Park seeking a rural and tree hugging lifestyle. Their dreams will be smashed if the project goes ahead.

The effect of widespread, uncontrolled clearing of native vegetation undertaken in the preparation of tower sights, the possibility of erosion and the destruction of native flora and fauna habitat is of particular concern to the objectives of sustainability supported by Landcare.

I object to the visual effects on the landscape, the possibility of soil erosion on all slopes, particularly those over 18% and the apparent disregard of the Senate Enquiry report on the health risks to neighbouring residents to turbines. I reserve the right to add further objections.

I strongly support the Rye Park Wind Farm project. Large scale renewable energy projects such as this wind farm are essential in the transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy - which is required to happen quickly and efficiently if we are to avoid ongoing climate change.

Climate change has been described by leading medical bodies as the greatest health threat of the 21st century. It threatens the health and wellbeing of Australians, both current and future generations, and vulnerable populations around the world.

Wind farms are an ideal alternative to fossil fuels for energy generation, and also have the benefit of not harming the health of local communities. Fossil fuels have many documented harms to health including increases in cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness and cancer. In contrast, wind farms have no credible scientific evidence showing risks to the health of local communities.

I strongly support this project and look forward to many more projects such as this in Australia.

My Granma owns a property at Rye Park and I visit regularly.
I am upset that the Rye Park Wind Farm is even called a `farm' as there is nothing about these large machines that resembles farming.
I understand that a large amount of money is to be given to the company that owns this development and I cannot see why this money can't be given to the owners of all the houses in the Rye Park area so they can put solar panels on their roofs. I haven't done the maths but I reckon this could produce as much power as 109 turbines could, do it without destroying the Rye Park hills, and produce electricity 90% of the time instead of only 34% of the time.
I would never consider following in my grandparent's footsteps by owning property in the Rye Park area if this development goes ahead. I cannot see any future for a village that is surrounded by wind turbines.
Yours Sincerely,
Tristan Pollard

I object to this project application.
My family lives just north of Rye Park and in Boorowa. My husband, children and I are regular visitors to the farm, and to Boorowa, and we have always enjoyed the peacefulness of the area and the friendliness of the community. As I also grew up on the farm visits are always a pleasant escape from the city life I now live.
The proposed `wind farms' of Rugby, Rye Park and Bango have been a concern to my family for many years, but the Rye Park WF is of particular concern to me.
Living in the Goulburn area, and travelling through Crookwell or via the Hume Highway to visit my family, I have had regular encounters with the visual destruction of the landscape along the way. I can no longer visit my family without seeing wind turbines but can drive past and then they are gone. To think that my family will have to live with wind turbines for the rest of their lives, and not be able to just drive away, is a distressing thought. And to think of the destruction of those beautiful Rye Park hills that have been so caringly preserved over many generations is also distressing.
I have seen the building of the Gunning WF and the Gullen Range WF. The scouring of roads over the landscape, the blasting of the land to make massive holes and the building of towers and power lines that can be seen for many kilometres away.
I do not believe that the majority of the local residents of Rye Park and Boorowa would be in favour of this development. Any of the promotional material that I have seen for `wind farms' is of bare rolling hills or fields of pasture, and what I have seen of the Trustpower promotional material on their website is no different. Rye Park is not bare rolling hills or vast, expansive fields but is that what it will look like after construction?
I understand the Rye Park area is a haven for many rare or endangered birds, reptiles, plants and fish that have been quietly and lovingly guarded for a very long time. I have no doubt that much of this country would still be as our First Australians would have seen it. How can this proposal be considered in any way?
Katie Addison and Family

I Object to the Rye Park Road development as it will have significant negative visual impact on the property of my family, at Residence 50 at Blakney Creek.
I do not believe that the economic benefits outweight the environmental damage during constructions, nor the negative social impacts on the local community.
I do not believe that the wind farm technology is as effective as solar technology which could generate the same power over a smaller footprint.
I believe that conservation should be further encouraged for the greater good, rather than promoting the creation of more infrastructure, a great distance from the sites that demand the energy needs.
I do not believe that wind farms should be constructed anywhere.

As a resident in the Bannister area I live amongst the Gullen Range Wind Farm. I love seeing the turbines in action creating power from the wind and constantly think to myself what a great idea. As I also think about the alternatives I would much rather have turbines next to my place than a coal mine. I would like to support the Rye Park Windfarm on behalf of the silent majority that support wind power generation. There is a definite vocal opposition to windfarms in Australia and in our local area and their views are respected and warranted however there are a lot more people both locally and generally who support these projects or aren't too fussed about them. I wanted to make a submission to the powers that be on behalf of this silent majority. Regardless of the local financial benefits wind power brings to a community, I believe wind to be a much better power source than the traditional alternatives.