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State Significant Development

Determination

Bowmans Creek Wind Farm

Singleton Shire

Current Status: Determination

Interact with the stages for their names

  1. SEARs
  2. Prepare EIS
  3. Exhibition
  4. Collate Submissions
  5. Response to Submissions
  6. Assessment
  7. Recommendation
  8. Determination

Construction and operation of a wind farm with up to 60 wind turbines and associated infrastructure.

Attachments & Resources

Notice of Exhibition (1)

Request for SEARs (2)

SEARs (2)

EIS (11)

Response to Submissions (7)

Amendments (11)

Additional Information (28)

Recommendation (4)

Determination (2)

Approved Documents

There are no post approval documents available

Note: Only documents approved by the Department after November 2019 will be published above. Any documents approved before this time can be viewed on the Applicant's website.

Complaints

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Enforcements

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Inspections

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Note: Only enforcements and inspections undertaken by the Department from March 2020 will be shown above.

Submissions

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Showing 61 - 80 of 168 submissions
maree bendle
Object
muswellbrook , New South Wales
Message
My name is Maree Bendle I have lived at Muscle Creek Most of my life, I am the 4th generation my kids are the 5th generation. I strongly object to the Bowman’s creek wind farm.
I was looking at selling a few years back and my children said no as they love being here, Now if I wanted to sell the value of my land is not worth what I would like due to the wind farm that has been a posed for the mountain line
when I look out my front door its great to see nature at its best I don’t want to be able to see these things hear them if you treasure what you have wouldn’t you want to keep it and that’s how I feel about these wind farms
Hope that you have done your research well, As I know that there are wedge tail eagles up on the mountain line that your planning to put these windmills they are a protected animal and iconic animal to Australia. I would hate to see them disappear all for windmills to witch we can do without(wind farms), The wild life that belongs there, They would in turn be homeless is that what you want for our native animals and fora? Also the bat Connelly that is there I am sure that I don’t want them moving from up there to where they have to move to our properties or even to towns,I would hope that you would take them to your homes and look after them. There are also spotted quall s once again are you going to look after these animals when the time comes to put these wind fames up.
The noise that will be made through all this construction just to to get the things up and going will be a great disadvantage to all that live nearby with noise dust and all the unnecessary things that will be needed for these wind farms
when sitting out side of a night time we see lots of planes going over and one in particular the rescue helicopter which is a quite vital for every one ,How would you feel if your family needed this help and was not able to take the route to get to your loved ones. I would suspect pretty upset so once again hope that you really do your home home work before spoiling our little community for your wind farms.
Our land runs beef cattle and my daughter dose horse sports with having the wind farms I truly feel that the noise will spook them,our cattle are very quite and that’s how I would love to keep them and for the sake of my daughter if the noise spooks my daughter horse on any given day and that she may fall due to the noise are you going to pay for my daughter medical bill and vet bill for the horse if hurt.
All this talk about wind farms around the our small community has made some people to have falling out with one and other we use to be there for each other through thick and thin and we are a small net of people and now we are all divided and all this comes back to your company wanting to put these wind farms on land that most of the people around here do not want.
I believe that it all comes back to the mighty dollar you want to put up these farms and you pay the landholders for the windmills to go up and
you don’t care what the rest of the community want.
For me life without the wind farms is;
.Happy family
.Great views
.The wild live
.No health risks
.People coming together
.No unnecessary noise
.No risk of fires
We all live here because we love the quietness of rural life, and enjoy the views that this piece of heaven has to offer. Go put these things where people would like them eg,your back yard. And leave ours alone.
The EIS has also omitted our airstrip which is registered and runs parallel to Inglewood Road. We are concerned about potential increased costs of crop dusting in the future if this development is approved. How will we be compensated for this increased cost?
Maree Bendle.
Peter John McMahon
Object
Kempsey , New South Wales
Message
I object to your plans for building and erecting wind turbines for Bowman’s Creek wind farms contract that you have proposed for east of the mountain top of Muscle Creek.
I was born and raised on my family’s dairy farm right up to my adult life, I have moved away from my family farm for unseen reasons, I do come back a lot of times to see my brothers and sister and also my own children as they were raised there as well.
For holidays it’s a great place to get back and enjoy the quietness and nature at its best.
My reasons for rejecting your plans to building the wind farm are as follows:
Loss of vegetation – plants and trees, native animals including quolls, potaroos, small birds through to wedge tailed eagles, wallabies, bats and many others. All are important and should be saved.
When I look out the to the mountains it a fantastic sight and when I was growing up we would often go up there. The view is so great and I would hate this to be destroyed by the wind farms.
Why destroy a quite little village like Muscle Creek by putting up these ugly things called wind turbines for a little more electricity. Why not find somewhere to build a new power station? The noise that they will make day and night won’t be good for people or animals.
Have you really looked at what you are going to destroy? You are going to destroy my memories, my heritage and where I grew up. I want my children to enjoy what I had when I was growing up.
Thank you for taking time to read my objection to the Bowmans Creek wind farm.
Jean Large
Object
Merriwa , New South Wales
Message
I object to the Bowman Creek Wind Farm!

My Name Is Jean Large, I have family that live at Muscle Creek and have done for many generations, we spend a lot of time on their property as they let my youngest son keep his horse there. We enjoy the beautiful view and the peace and quiet of the area, my son is only learning to ride and has a young horse that would be skittish with the constant droning noise from the wind turbines.

From what I know of wind farms they have drastic efforts to health and well being to those that live near them not only humans but wild live as well, not to mention the risk of fires from over heating or malfunctioning turbines. The constant droning noise would upset the livestock from the farms, people with health issues, others can develop health issues, the peace and tranquillity would be forever shattered.

The Wedge Tail Eagles that live in the mountain where the wind farm is planned to be built would interfere with their natural habitat. When I was a child I remember the Wedge Tail Eagles that use to be along Wybong Road they are no longer there due to Mangoola Mine. Progress should not come at a price to our animals and wildlife!

There is also a bat colony up in the mountain, disruption to their nesting area will result in them relocating to town, anyone that lives in a town with a bat colony can tell you the havoc that they cause. The human race has just about destroyed the natural habitat of most of our wildlife please preserve what is left!

As Liddell is due to close in the coming years why can't a wind farm be located on that site as they already have solar systems set up. PLEASE do your research on the real cost to these wind farms, emotional, physical, financial and to the wildlife. They are suppose to be more renewable than coal but what happens to the turbines and propellers when they come to the end of their usefulness, how do you intended to dispose of them, at this present time there is no way of disposal that doesn't impact on our environment. I understand that we do need a more sustainable energy source but I don't believe that we have found one as yet and I do believe that the wind farms are definitely not the answer, from what I know about them they only have about a ten year lifespan made from material that is not recyclable, from what I have seen the expert do not know what to do with the decommissioned parts and are dumping into big holes.

They are an eyesore on the landscape and they have negative impact on the health and well being of all that live near them!
When we go out to Muscle Creek, we can imagine that the rest of the world doesn't exist it is so peaceful out there, that is where we go to recharge our batteries so to speak.

PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT allow this wind farm to go ahead it is not progress to destroy the habitats of endangered species and a beautiful natural valley!
Jennifer McMahon
Object
Muswellbrook , New South Wales
Message
I Jennifer McMahon object to the Bowman Creek Wind Farm. I am 30 years old and have lived in Muswellbrook all my life. My family have a farm out at Muscle Creek. They are the fourth generation which makes me the fifth generation. I love going out to the farm every weekend to help with the cattle work which are very quiet in the yards. I also love looking at the beautiful rolling mountains that have wedge tailed eagles that nest on the mountains. I would hate to see the eagles disappear if the wind farms were put on where they live. I would hate to see the wild life on the mountains disappear as well as the trees that have to be knocked down.
I am very concerned about the noise the wind turbines will make. I am concerned that the cattle and other farms animals will go crazy due to the sound also.
I am concerned of the fire risk the wind turbines have of starting a fire.
Stephen Oliver
Object
HEBDEN , New South Wales
Message
I strongly object to this project. Please read the attachment for objections.
Attachments
Tanya Oliver
Object
Hebden , New South Wales
Message
I strongly object to the Bowman's Creek Windfarm. Please read attachment for my objections.
Attachments
peter large
Object
muswellbrook , New South Wales
Message
To Whom It May Concern.
My name is Peter Large and I strongly object to the Bowman's Creek Wind Farm.
I have been living at Muscle Creek for around 10 years in this time I have found the little village to be a quite friendly place to live
If the the wind farms are to go ahead, I feel that it will disturb my sleep as I am a truck driver, I need good sleep to able to drive and not be fatigued as I would be a danger on the road.
There is also the great views that we have living where we are, and all this will be destroyed if these wind farms are across the sky line.
Also my concerns are the animals that live up where these farms are going to go the wedge tail eagles the spotted quoll the bats and koalas
You may not live here but I do, with all the noise that these wind farms will bring during and after they are up and going Are able to tell me that I wont be able to hear them.
I'm also an asthmatic and with extra dust in the air its going to make it very difficult to breathe I had two stints in my heart a few months ago to which I now have to have a stress test to do each year to keep my job, I'm hoping you can see why I don’t want these farms to go ahead I am not the only one that don't want them.
It's a great place don't go wrecking it with these things we all live out here because of the nature and views many have lived here all there lives and others moved here because of what it has to offerer. I have made some really good friends here and they have told me that that are strongly against the wind farms.
Where I live they run beef cattle and have horses this will be a big impact on them as the humming noise that will be heard will cause stress to them.
I went down to Goulburn awhile ago and the sight and noise from these things is horrendous and a eye sore totally ruined the country side.

Peter Large.
Name Withheld
Object
baerami , New South Wales
Message
I object to the Bowman’s Creek wind Farm’s
My name is Jackson Dunbar I haven’t been going to muscle creek for very long my girlfriend has taken me there she tells me lots of stories of when she use to go out there horse riding and how peaceful it is and I must admit she is right the views are just the best and to put wind turbines up would be just wrong they are just an eye sore they can be very loud. So please stop the spin so as I can enjoy going to muscle creek to enjoy what my girlfriend has told me about the area.
The land holder that we go also has a lot to loose if the turbines go ahead there land value will drop and they also concerned that the turbines will upset the stock and all the wild life and the trees that will have to be removed for this project to go ahead so for them please stop the spin.
Jackson Dunbar.
robert large
Object
glenmore park , New South Wales
Message
To Whom IT May Concern. I strongly object to the Bowman’s Creek Wind Farms My name is Robert Large my mum is currently living at muscle Creek she is the 4th generation to be living there I don’t live but I do have valued reason as these wind farms are not erected east of Muswellbrook as one day, I will be going back there to live with my wife we love the area and to try and carry on what our family has done for generations before me these things are noisy and are the worst things to look. I'm a truck driver working out of Sydney and travelled a lot of places all the towns that I stop at don’t like them they take away the peace and bird life and they are quite worried for their health. So out at Muscle Creek you will be indangering the peaceful community the wild life the picturesque views the health to people my uncle has epilepsy high blood pressure he has careers coming out to him so as he can stay in his own home put these up, he is at risk of episodes and his blood pressure going up he loves nothing else to sit on his side verandah looking out as that about all he can do. Mum has been doing beef cattle for about 18 years as she took over when my grandfather died with the help of my uncle until he died last year so mum has been doing this by herself, she has really quiet cattle to the point anyone can walk into the paddock to pat them and I feel that if this goes ahead it won’t be the same, she won’t be able to sell as the land will not be worth its right value. The muscle creek is a small community and you’re such a big company they won’t be able to stop you but r ember this. If it was your peace of haven you be fighting to keep it also so just stop the spin now.

Robert Large.
gary folpp
Object
merriwa , New South Wales
Message
To Who It May Concern
I object to the Bowman’s Creek Wind Farms
My name is Gary Folpp I live at Merriwa and visit Muscle Creek quite regularly we have been told that wind turbines are going to be erected along the mountain east of Muswellbrook.
When we go out that way, we love the peace that it has to offer and the views are just the best, we sometimes camp and we would hate to have to listen to the noise that comes of the turbines.
Since been told about the wind farm I believe that when the time is up for these things that there is no recyclable venue that in itself should be looked into as what is going to happen when their time is done are they going to sit there and and fall down bit by bit that has to be no good for the environment.
And what about all the animals and trees that are going to be destroyed it would be such a shame to see all this gone and the wind turbines in place of the trees which we really admire.

Gary Folpp.
tomeka woodbine
Object
baerami , New South Wales
Message
To whom It May Concern,
I object to the Bowman’s Creek Wind Farm.
My name is Tomeka Woodbine part of my childhood was out at Muscle Creek where I use to ride horses and to this day I still go and visit and enjoy the peaceful and tranquillity of country life.
When I was little, we had so much fun just being in the country air and the quietness from the city life. Being able to camp out in open air I feel if the wind farms go ahead the noise from the wind turbines will not feel the same, they will cause so much noise that it will cause an uneasy sleep and that’s what camping is not about.
When I look into the wind farms, I found that they can cause health problems, problems to wild life farmer’s stock. i don’t live on the land but this must be hard on the farmers that do we all need the farmers to keep going so as we can live also without the hard work of them looking after their lively stock, we in turn will be suffer also.
So please stop the spin and lets just get on with what the land holders know, and I know that where I go to at Muscle Creek, they don’t want the spin it’s a great place just to to get away and enjoy.

Tomeka Woodbine
leah folpp
Object
merriwa , New South Wales
Message
To Who It May Concern
I object to the Bowman’s Creek Wind Farms
My name is Leah Folpp I live at Merriwa and visit Muscle Creek quite regularly we have been told that wind turbines are going to be erected along the mountain east of Muswellbrook.
We go to friends whom live at Muscle Creek we love camping out there to hear nature at its best and the sight of a morning the rolling hills, if the wind farms do go ahead, we won’t have this as the wind turbines will make a horrible sound through the night this in turn must send the native wild life mad
Has anyone thought about the wild life and the damage that this will be to them or are you just thinking of the money side of things?
These wind farm changes things for the bad not the good please look at what most people want and not towards money.
Regards Leah Folpp.
Anne Large
Object
Baeremi , New South Wales
Message
The Bowmans Creek Wind Farm should not be approved. I strongly OBJECT to this development.
It will create an unsightly skyline for Muswellbrook and surrounds. It will ruin the homes and properties of too many people. These people will not be compensated. They will be affected by noise. Sound travels for many kilometres in that valley and in ways that you wouldn’t expect.
There are so many native animals in the area that will be harmed. This can’t be justified. You should be working to preserve our landscape and plants and animals but blasting and building roads and clearing trees and undergrowth is not going to help anyone. There is excellent bird life, including wedge tailed eagles in the area.
Muswellbrook gets all the things nobody else wants. Power stations, mines, quarries and now this. Enough damage has been done the area is beautiful and should be left alone. Do not approve this project. The cost and impact is too big.
Michael Large
Object
Baeremi , New South Wales
Message
I am submitting my objection to the Bowmans Creek Wind Farm. This project should not be allowed to go ahead because it’s the wrong location. Too many homes will be affected and too many people. How do you plan to compensate people for the loss in property value and the noise of the turbines?
What is the plan for rehabilitation? Who is going to pay for this to be removed is 25 years? Who will pay if it stops working before 25 years? Say in the next 10 years? If technology has been developed with something better? Is the plan to let them all rust on the hilltops?
The turbines are too large and will be the only thing you see on the skyline. Muswellbrook is surrounded by mines, at least three quarries and two power stations. That is enough for one area. There are no meaningful benefits for this project or the area. And there will only be 15 full time jobs across the 25 years. Doing what? Will these be contractors from other areas or local people?
This project should not go ahead. It will destroy one of the last parts of the Hunter Valley that hasn’t been mined and it should be preserved for the future.
Adelaide Judson
Support
BELLEVUE HILL , New South Wales
Message
I fully support the project and believe it is a great opportunity for the area, as it takes advantage of existing infrastructure and will have a positive economic impact on the local community. I also believe the project will help to improve energy sustainability in New South Wales, which is a goal that is in everyone’s interest.
The site has been designated as an area of high wind. Combined with the infrastructure that already exists means it is a logical site for a wind farm, and represents an effective investment.
Having grown up and having a great interest in the area, I am keen to see more funding targeted here, and the proposed community fund to local projects will be a great help in an area that has previously received under-investment. On top of this, the permanent jobs created will be positive for the local economy.
I am also aware that the project will provide a sustainable source of income to local landowners who have struggled heavily with the recent severe drought. This project should help to lessen the impact of any future such scenarios.
I fully embrace green technology, as it is a key way to invest in a sustainable future, and the wind farm will do this whilst having minimal impact on the local environment and people.
I wholeheartedly endorse the project and look forward to seeing it completed in the coming years!
David Wolford
Object
Muscle Creek , New South Wales
Message
I live in Muscle Creek and I OBJECT to the Bowmans Creek Wind Farm.
This is a great area, close to town but it is totally quiet and it has beautiful views. The wind farm will ruin this for everyone now and in the future. People that live here are very stressed. They wonder if they will be able to live with the noise and the polluted views. Shift workers will struggle to sleep I believe. Sound travels a long way and very clearly in this valley. Once you put them up it’s too late to admit that you’ve made a mistake. Who is going to remove them and how much will this cost? What if they need to be removed early?
There are so many birds and other animals in the area. What will happen to them? A dead wedge tail eagle or a dead quoll can’t be replaced. All the plants and animals are important and you should be working to preserve what is left.
I am concerned about construction noise and traffic. I am concerned about contractors. They won’t be from the area and they won’t care what damage or other harm they do. How will this be managed and enforced? Likely you will rely on complaints. If so, it’s too late. Damage done. This is not acceptable.
This project should not be allowed to go ahead in this area. It will be ugly, noisy and cause the affected community too much stress.
Gillian Thomas
Object
Wagga Wagga , New South Wales
Message
I would like to object to the Bowmans Creek Wind Farm.
I am strongly opposed to this disastrous project. I am not a scientist but I oppose it for multiple reasons.
It will have a serious negative effect on property values in the surrounding areas. This is a known and proven fact and you have the data to support this. The Urbis report is not correct.
Visually, the landscape will be completely and negatively altered. This is one of the most beautiful areas and I am not sure why the project is even being considered. It is ridiculous.
Health is known to be adversely affect. The area already has high dust levels and the wind farm will alter these and probably add to them given the extent of dirt roads that are being constructed. One does not need scientific data or medical research to be aware of this outcome.
Noise generated by the turbines has many negative effects on human health causing headaches, serious depression and mood changes. I have also witnessed the stress that this project is creating for my family. They are worried about the effect this wind farm will have on their home and their lives. You cannot adequately compensate a person for the loss of their home and I note that no compensation has been offered. What is suggested in the EIS is laughable – power rebates and neighbour agreements. All inadequate.
The bird population will decline without a doubt and probably for reasons we don’t yet know and can’t predict. We should be striving to preserve whatever we have left. This may be grazing land but it still supports populations of native plants and animals. Australia doesn’t have a record that it can be proud of when it comes to preserving its flora and fauna. This is an opportunity to do just that.
The violation of the land during the construction and installation period will be extreme. Road building, blasting, excavation, compacting pasture, erosion, rock crushing and cement in huge quantities – all this will be a blot on the landscape.
I am very much opposed to this project. Any of these listed effects should be enough to halt this project now. We need to act and we need alternate sources of power but wind should never be one of the options.
Please do not approve this project.
Catherine Ball
Object
Bowmans Creek , New South Wales
Message
Catherine Ball
484 Bowmans Creek Road
Bowmans Creek

Thank you for the opportunity to object to SSD-10315 Bowmans Creek wind Farm.
I OBJECT to the proposal SSD-10315 and have stated the reasons why in attachment SSD Objections 2021 - SUB18932277. I have attached further documents; Statement of Heritage Impact and Statement of Environmental effects for your information. Also I have attached a basic history of the Church for your information.
Kind Regards
Catherine Ball
Attachments
Name Withheld
Object
Muswellbrook , New South Wales
Message
I object to the Bowmans Creek wind farm. Muscle Creek is really beautiful. It is also quiet. I live in town and I am amazed at how peaceful it is. How can you be sure this will continue for the people that live there? Wind turbines aren’t silent from what I understand – especially when they sit on top of hills. Sleep and health has to be affected.
We have noticed how clearly sound echoes across the valley and it is scary to think that there will be 28 turbines in clear view and so close to my dad’s place. Would you like to live with this? I don’t think its fair and it is the wrong spot to put a wind farm. There are too many houses and people in the area. You should think about them.
I worry about how this will affect the wildlife in the area. There are more birds than ever. If any birds or animals die in construction or by hitting the blades then that is wrong. How will you get rid of these when they wear out? I’ve seen pictures of blades in landfill. It doesn’t make sense to me. You need coal to make the steel and then the blades are useless after. It isn’t very green. And it is expensive.
How many jobs will there be and for how long? Will they be local? What will they do?
I think this is a bad idea and it should not be approved for this location. Too much noise, too much visual pollution and it will cost too much with not much benefit to Muswellbrook.
Name Withheld
Object
Muswellbrook , New South Wales
Message
I would like to OBJECT to the Bowmans Creek Wind Farm. The area is one of the last that hasn’t been ruined by mining and it should be left alone. I live in town and it is so quiet out in Muscle Creek. Most people don’t know anything about the wind farm and have never heard anything. I wouldn’t know about it except that I have family out there. They are very upset and worried about how they are going to be able to continue to live there with the noise. They have great views which will be ruined by turbines but I think the noise is going to be worse.
I think during construction that lots of the tree cover on the hills will be gone. Obviously there will be losses of animals as well. With the fires and the drought I don’t see how this can be acceptable. Soon there won’t be anything left for my children to see and enjoy.
My family has two properties in Muscle Creek. One does not have a house yet and the wind farm will be on top on it. Literally. How is that fair? Why would you build right under a wind farm and what does that mean for my father-in-law? The developer has told him he does not count because there is no house. This is so wrong.
The area also has enough mining and power stations. Why does Muswellbrook need to provide the state with everything?

Pagination

Project Details

Application Number
SSD-10315
EPBC ID Number
EPBC 2020/8631
Assessment Type
State Significant Development
Development Type
Electricity Generation - Wind
Local Government Areas
Singleton Shire
Decision
Approved
Determination Date
Decider
IPC-N

Contact Planner

Name
Elisha Dunn