Central-West Orana REZ Transmission

I object to the central-West Orana REZ Transmission project.

I, and along with my wife and family, we have made this area home for over 12 yrs. We're situated 17km East of Dunedoo just off the golden hwy. Like all of the families living in the area, it will be detrimental and divid a community.

There are so many negatives to the REZ.
Our area isn't ment to have this large infrastructure, it won't handle it nor do we have the ability to sustain its operation. It won't work on so many levels from being built on prime agricultural land, flood Plains, and having limited resources in the area.
Some aspects that make the project unserviceable are as follows.
Unequipped health resources - we struggle to have health professionals in the townships surrounding the anticipated area. Our communities will not handle the influx of workers, This can be said for our local fire services (RFS and Fire and Rescue). If an emergency event occurs, we don't have enough personnel too accommodate. (Think back to February 2017, Sir Ivan Fires)
Our local roads, Most of our roads are in poor condition and can't handle the transport/traffic righ now as we speak. I can only imagine the road conditions after they start utilising the dirt roads.
The majority of the project that's being built, has to cross the talbragar river and farming flats. Changing the roads to accommodate the Large oversize loads will inherently change the way how the Valley floods in the wet times. This will change the ecosystem in the area along with the farming families that generate the income from these flats.

I bet no nobody would like to wake up in the morning and be staring at either solar panels, turbines and of course transmission lines in their back yard.
What about the financial property loss of land values??? Government going to step in and pay???

There are so many other issues that haven't been addressed in the preparation of the REZ..

On a finishing note...
I and everyone else in the affected areas of Birrawa, Leadville, Dunedoo, Coolah and Gulgong don't want and can't have these large infrastructure projects... it just won't work....

I am writing to express my objection to this project.
This project would involve the region being covered in high voltage transmission lines and towers. This will impact the local environment in a negative way and hamper the local farmers do their work and significantly impact how residents live. The surrounding farm land will be destroyed and presents significant environmental concerns with noise pollution (vibration) and the presence of toxic chemicals such as BPA as well as the impact on native animals.
Please reconsider this project.
This supports the interests of big (foreign) corporates and ignores the (negative) impact for Australians, at some point the needs of Australians must supersede the desires of foreign interests, we must look after our farm land and our food security. There are other ways to provide safe and reliable baseline energy that doesn't involve wholesale destruction of our rural and regional areas.
Please protect the interest of Australians and say no to this project.
I know this is one of many being proposed but we have to stop this ongoing encroachment by overseas corporate interests.
Our regions will be destroyed and turned into industrial landscapes of turbines and panels and for what? My electricity bill isn't getting cheaper! There are more cons than pros to this proposed project. Please stop it from going ahead.

Please do not ruin our beautiful land with HV transmission lines and wind farms and solar panels.

These green technologies are so expensive environmentally to produce and manage.

Please look at other options, make new housing more environmentally friendly, add solar, double glazed windows, don’t let developers remove all trees from new estates - a few changes to building legislation will make our homes better insulated reducing need for A/C.

While we make so much $ exporting our coal and minerals to the big polluters as a country I don’t see why our home land (and oceans) should be sacrificed for renewable (not green) technology,

I object to wind turbines to be built near occupied land. The health risks are significant and the risk to birds is an environmental factor which needs to be considered. It is not safe for humans to live anywhere near high voltage lines and wind turbines.

As a member of the local Dunedoo community I strongly object to this project.
It will have a multitude of negative impacts on our town & surrounding farms including:
• Reduced value of agricultural property
• social and economic decline for uninvolved yet still affected farming families
• increased volume of traffic
• stress to already limited medical and emergency services
• significant environmental impacts to wildlife & water sources, including increased fire risk
• the lead to wind & solar developments which further degrades prime agricultural land
• increased insurance / public liability for neighbouring farmers
There are also crucial reports missing from current EIS.

It is with sincere sadness that I have heard that my former home property at Birriwa is to become part of a solar farm and also transmission line.
What on earth are you thinking, to tie up so much good productive farming land with solar and associated transmission lines makes no sense at all. I sold “Mongarlowe” in 1995 after suffering a major bushfire and countless hail storms. I wonder what will happen to the solar farm if it was to sustain the same disasters.
In the past, the bulk of the power generation was along the coast where the population lives. Wouldn’t it make a whole lot more sense to have these solar farms closer to the coast, so that you don’t have to transfer the power hundreds of kilometres, ie on disused coal mines in the Hunter Valley.
I think it is so wrong that you can take good farming land for such a project when there is countless hectares of worthless land along the coast.
I just fell so sorry for my former neighbours who are going to have to look at this eyesore every time they go out there front door, not to mention what it is going to do for their land values.
Wake up before it is too late, what you are doing is creating an environmental visual disaster. I hate the thought of it.
Yours sincerely
Peter Rains

I object

I object to the industrial impacts that cause reductions in agricultural options that lead to a gross reduction in farming income.
I object to the land devaluation and resulting compensation being double taxed; so that there is no chance that a farmer can relocate to another area based on the devalued worth of his property.

I object strongly to the proposed Transmission lines. There is no consideration for the landowner.
There is no financial protection for the landowner, the land is being stolen as the value paid is grossly substandard leaving the landowner with no future.

I object to the distraction of farming land, habitats for wildlife and seeing these unsightly structures in our countryside. It’s a disgrace!

See attached

I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the proposedCentral West REZ development. As a concerned long term resident of this community, I believe it is essential to voice the potential adverse effects and long-term consequences that this project may have on our environment, local economy, and quality of life. We have already endured the disastrous failed Cobbora Coal mine that is still impacting on us today. Ineffective planning and lack of detailed studies and information to the community by the Government of the day resulted in 90 families leaving our community which impacted greatly upon individuals, families , schools and the extended community. I believe this proposed pilot renewable Energy zone shows the same poor planning and lack of transparency and will again be another blight on our Landscape, People and Rural culture.
Environmental Impact:
The proposed [Renewable Energy Project Name] poses significant environmental risks. It is crucial to consider the potential impacts on local wildlife, habitat disruption, and the alteration of the natural landscape. This region is home to several endangered species, and I am concerned that the construction and operation of the project will disrupt their fragile ecosystems. We as a Landcare group are currently about to host a Glossy Black workshop on this endangered species recently discovered in the very footprint of all the development!The lack of reports to date reflect how little the project has been researched- again poor planning at it’s best!
Aesthetic and Cultural Concerns:
The picturesque beauty of our Rural region is a source of pride and heritage of the Wirradjuri people . It will be encroached upon and there is very, very little detail on how the site will be returned once this technology is redundant. We have many prime agricultural land holdings which will be severely affected. The visual impact of the [Renewable Energy Project Name] with its towering structures ( the biggest in the state to date! and extensive infrastructure will irreversibly alter our landscape. This change can also have adverse effects on tourism, a crucial part of our local economy. We currently host the Central west Cycle trail and this has been a very successful tourism injection to many of the smaller communities including Dunedoo, Coolah and all three of our council regions- Warrumbungle, Dubbo and Midwestern. The quite gravel roads that make up much of this trail and its appeal will be taken over by trucks, high volumes of traffic and be a danger to riders.
Property Values:
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that property values in the proximity of renewable energy projects tend to decline. As a property owner in the vicinity, I am deeply concerned about the potential devaluation of my property and the financial impact this could have on my family and fellow homeowners. My opinion is that state significant projects such as this divide communities, councils and regions. Simply , it comes down to have / have nots! If you host a wind / solar / transgrid development then you may be financially remunerated . For example we have a very ineffectual council-n Warrmbungle Shire. From the failed Cobbora Coal Mine we as a Community a still without our proposed Aged Care development as our council does not have the capacity to manage such a project. The losers are our community yet again!
Health and Safety:
There are legitimate health concerns associated with the noise, vibrations, and potential shadow flicker that can result from the operation of renewable energy projects. It is essential that the health and well-being of our community members are not compromised. Given past droughts and well researched evidence that it is 1.5 degrees hotter above a solar farm - I have grave fears for our region as Wellington, Gulgong / Goolma are blanketed by Solar already-. Not anchoring well for climate Change!!
Alternative Solutions:
I strongly believe in the importance of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, but we must do so responsibly. There are alternative locations and technologies that can be considered to reduce the negative impacts on our community while still achieving renewable energy goals. Why is it that the regions need to bear the brunt of Renewable Energy developments? Surely it makes sense to generate the power where needed? When I drive into the City at night and see every office block lit up I shiver! The distance from the regions to the East Coast will loose significant power through the transgrid. What about Nuclear?, off the coast wind turbines, compulsory solar on all new developments. I’m positive our city cousins would be horrified that the rural landscape/ food security is under threat and energy is priority ove rfood production and prime agricultural farming land.
In conclusion, I request that the relevant authorities thoroughly assess the potential adverse effects of the [Renewable Energy Project Name] and consider alternative solutions that could minimize these impacts. I am willing to engage in a constructive dialogue and work with local officials, project developers, and the community to find a more suitable way to meet our renewable energy goals while preserving our unique environment and quality of life. As expressed on numerous occasions before, we are a community that has had many adverse impacts from failed mine proposals, gas projects, and now Renewables! Volunteers often are sitting opposite contractors on a huge wage being paid for their time and effort to force this project down our throats whereas we as individual Landholders have to do all our assessments, meetings and research without any remuneration or assistance. How is this a level playing field or fair? For instance, we commence dealing with one proponent (Who I might add is not even an Australian owned company!!) to then have to start over again when they on sell! Not to mention some poor Landholders and community groups who may have to
I kindly ask that my concerns and objections be taken into consideration during the evaluation of the [Renewable Energy Project Name]. Please inform me of any public hearings or meetings where I can further voice my concerns and be a part of the decision-making process.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to a thoughtful and responsible evaluation of this project.
Sincerely,
Sally Dent

I don't want the district covered in high voltage transmission lines and towers and you don't want the area to be turned into an industrial landscape of wind turbines on the hills, fields of solar panels and the associated up-front financial costs and environmental costs are not worth it. The benefits are negligible and supply of power often unreliable and inconsistent.

It is not wise or suitable in any way to incorporate or place wind farms on or near any farming land in Central West NSW. I totally oppose this due to 1) depletion of farm land, 2) possibility of impeding the health of local residents.
Thank you for receiving this submission. It is sent in good faith and in hopeful expectation of you rejecting this proposed project.

I did not sign up to live in a battery. I want to live in this beautiful agricultural environment that exists now. There is no reason to put this out here. I so so strongly oppose the creation of a new lifestyle for country people without consideration to our feelings.It is shameful.

The present approach for the Central West Orana REZ Transmission, like other AEMO REZ expansion plans does not consider alternative technologies that will benefit local rural communities and eventually the Australian population.

Considerations that government should be investigating include:
- The conversion of HVAC lines to HVDC reduces both the cost of investment and the Break Even Distance (BED). Conversion of lines can extend the distance range in which the HVDC is less expensive than HVAC for transmission lines.
- The fact that HVDC transmissions already deliver electricity generated by hydro, wind, and solar plants to millions of consumers across the world every day. The best generating sites are usually in remote areas, so the electricity generated from mountaintops, deserts and seas often crosses vast distances to get to where it is needed most. HVDC is the most reliable and efficient way of getting it there. Low loss DC transmission technology ensures virtually all renewable generation reaches consumers. Isn't this Australia? Large transmission distances with a broad range of green energy inputs (solar, wind and some hydro)
- The costs of undergrounding lines is no longer cost prohibitive and should be considered in rural areas
- Recent data from Germany and South Australia support a model that includes the integration of more home solar into the grid and the production of electricity where it is to be used. This model does require storage batteries and technologies to manage the grid but does not require the huge investment of taxpayer funds to support the increasing number of private investment companies that are seeking access to new powerlines in the Central West Orana REZ transmission zone.

I wish to fiercely object to this country side soul destroying proposal...
As a past resident from Wellington NSW, I with great fondness & memories love this god gifted country side & proud farming culture...
Net zero & the completely impossible & unrealistic targets are now single handedly destroying this land & crippling our energy system... An industrial landscape of solar panels, wind turbines and associated transmission lines does not belong in this region ...
Completely devasting environmental cost that will never be justified... Your actions are of the highest Injustice to the land & people...
Stop coercing locals into this madness ... Support these communities where it counts with their farming & small business needs...
Get off this land...

What are the issues?:
- people can’t live around them
- destroying farm land
- massive exploitation by foreign corporate entities
- sneaky non disclosure contracts
- environmental concerns regarding the vibrations, the toxic chemicals present (BPA and others).

I object to this project for the following reasons.

1. I have had the privilege of living and working in both the Wellington/Dubbo area and also the Glen Innes/Inverell region. Both of these beautiful rural environments have been impacted by the twin scourges of wind farms and solar farms. They are an eyesore which those making the decisions in the cities would not want destroying their own pristine views.

2. The claim that these technologies are environmentally friendly is a falsehood. The lifespan of both of these technologies is short-lived and no viable recycling of these often toxic products currently exists. In addition both wind turbines and solar panels, together with the high voltage transmission lines you seek to put across our countryside are dependent upon coal-fired generation for their production. This is simply hypocrisy.

3. The power that these technologies produce is not only unreliable (being dependent on the weather), it is also outrageously expensive. We have been promised cheaper electricity for years as a result, and the price just continues to rise.

4. NSW in particular, and Australia in general, need cheap, reliable power to drive the economy and give needed financial relief to struggling NSW families and residents, and these technologies simply do not deliver.

5. The claim that these technologies will combat climate change is a falsehood driven by those who stand to profit from these schemes. Australia's own Professor Ian Plimer has demonstrated this clearly, without refutation.

For these reasons and more I object to the construction of these high voltage power lines across our magnificent country. The money could be better spent improving our existing coal-fired power stations, building new technology coal-fired power stations and pursuing the development and use of nuclear power.

Yours faithfully Frank Lyle

I attach my further comments in objection to this project.