Hills of Gold Wind Farm

I Neil Gorrell own the property Brookside on Old Wallabadah Road which faces the area where the wind turbines are to be erected. I have no objection to the use of the Nundle and Crawny Roads or Jenkins Streets or the rest of the route for access of the components of the turbines during the construction stage of the wind farm. I believe the disruption will be minimal and beneficial to this town I believe the town will prosper while actually contributing to cleaner energy and less carbon emissions assisting the country in it's emissions reduction targets.
The upgrading of the intersection at Nundle and upgrading of the above mentioned roads will be of benefit for the residents who use and traverse these roads making it a lot safer and to a higher standard than it is maintained now. I believe that the wind farm is essential and with escalating power prices, the closing of coal fire power stations, it makes sense that this alternate power project go ahead and the sooner the better.

Submission in opposition to the proposed HOGWF and in particular the Amendment Report No2 dated 7th Nov 2022. The proposed windfarm clears substantial areas of native vegetation, which is habitat to both vulnerable and endangered species of fauna and flora. The benefits of this windfarm do not stack up against the environmental damage. Hence the proposed HOGWF should be relocated to another site which has historically been cleared for grazing.
See attached document.

There are many bat roost caves surrounding the Hills of Gold Wind Farm. These have not been investigated, nor studied in any respect for this proposed wind farm. Why have they not been studied? Please respond to these issues.
I have detailed each of the issues and inadequacies of studies undertaken relating to bats in the attached document.
Bats and raptors as well as many other vulnerable and endangered species will be affected by the clearing of vegetation and spinning turbine blades. This wind farm should not be built in this locality. There are plenty of other locations around the state where the hills have already been historically cleared of vegetation many years ago and this land should be utilised for wind farms.

I believe that the proposed project has many significant negative issues which argue against the suitability of this project. Please refer to the attached letter.
Thank you
Paul Tyson

I object to Hills of Gold Wind Farm for a range of reasons.

I have concerns about extreme changes proposed for roads and road dilapidation, reduced biodiversity from wind turbine barrier effects and vegetation clearing, heritage and visual impacts, and social division.

All these impacts remain with the Amended Development Application, that is, they were not addressed or mitigated.

There is no acceptable route to the proposed project area because of the steep and vulnerable topography, heritage character of Nundle and surrounds, and the tourism businesses and visitors, and lifestyle properties it attracts.

Our family farm is in proximity to the development at Loomberah. The unacceptable impacts on our family property include visual amenity, quiet enjoyment of the property for lifestyle and productivity, noise impacts, and infrasound impacts on human and animal health. No amount of compensation or mitigation can account for this.

The unacceptable impacts of the project on the broader environment and community include:
1. A significant and irreplaceable loss of biodiversity - the very thing that we need to keep in tact to mitigate climate change impacts. Approval of the project in the knowledge of this would leave the NSW State Government responsible for damages.
2. The cumulative impacts of this project in concert with other state significant renewable energy projects in the region and the New England REZ. The proponent has not adequately addressed these impacts in their EIS.

In order to guide multiple state significant large scale renewable energy developments, the NSW State Government has failed to:
1. conduct any form of constraints mapping,
2. conduct sound, inclusive, co-designed (with local communities), preparatory regional-scale land use planning.

This failure will ultimately lead to the failure of the REZ instrument and the renewable energy transition, increasing concern, confusion, calamity, and ultimately an increased timeline to net zero emissions.

There are better ways for us to act now to reduce our emissions and transition to renewables. We need leadership to help communities transition quickly using community-led microgrids supported by rooftop and farm scale solar, flower turbines, Aeromine devices, and bladeless wind energy devices at every household and workplace - after all, these buildings have already deleted the biodiversity and soil capability underneath their footprint.

This approach would significantly reduce further biodiversity and soil productivity loss, increasing our ability to mitigate climate change and retain (and build) food security for our nation. It would also share the cost equitably across rural and metropolitan areas, share the responsibility, support local installation businesses, increase economic development in regional and rural Australia, support local businesses, keep profits IN Australia, and so much more.

Large wind turbines are already being superseded in Europe. Let's 'empower' Australia with good approaches to a renewable transition, instead of outdated methods that will be white elephants all over our landscape within a few years, creating more environmental woes.

Karen Zirkler, BSc(Env) Hon 1
Primary Producer, Community Led Landcare & Biodiversity Advocate

I am very happy with the Hills of Gold Wind Farm Amended Application (SSD-9679), as I was with the previous application, I wish the project could start today as I think it will be great for the town of Nundle and surrounds, bringing cheaper electricity and creating full time working positions to the people of the area.

Submission opposed to the Hills of Gold Wind Farm - (EXH-50789958)
See attached re points of opposition concerning, habitat destruction, endangered species, bird and bat strikes, turbine blade disposal at end of useful life and inapropriate transport routs.

I object to the traffic issues this project will cause within the villages of Nundle and Hanging Rock. We own and operate a business in Nundle, the introduction of no parking zones will impact our operations. We are concerned about the impact on School bus route, the bus begins collecting high school children before 7am and finishes after 5 pm. There will be many trucks and light vehicles coming through the Hanging Rock village, a huge increase from existing light traffic. A section of Morrisons Gap road ( a public road) is located within the project. Looking at the proximity of turbine N70 to the road, we will be driving under the blade tip overhanging the road. A few other turbines are very close by. I very concerned about the shadow flicker, ice throw (icy conditions are very common in this cold climate) and blade throw. Surely there should be some safety zone around each turbine and they shouldn't be this close to public road.
We have moved into this beautiful area from Newcastle to get away from the noise, traffic and industrial landscape. To enjoy tranquility and be at one with the natural world. And the industry has followed us here. This wind farm will absolutely wreck this beautiful area, starting from approach to Nundle we are looking the ridge all the way driving home. The red aviation light at night are very disruptive. We have heard that other communities have been complaining about similar issue.
What I can see they haven't addressed any of he previous issues (apart from the Devils Elbow) and they have added more. The visual impact has increased with the addition roads in the mountains, extra power lines, new substation location. The amount of clearing required has increased. There is a possibility of extra water run off with all this compaction and hard stands they propose and this area is known for landslides and flash flooding.

It is incumbent on us to try and leave a livable world for our grandchildren and if we do not embrace renewable energy, well how selfishly ignorant can we choose to be.
Wind farms need to go where the wind blows; this farm is proposed for a very windy place.
This is quite simple stuff and the least we can do.
What value can we place on securing the future for those that will come after us?
How sad is it that people are only concerned for their own welfare?

Director - Energy Assessments
Planning and Assessment
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

27th November, 2022

To whom it may concern,
RE - HILLS OF GOLD WIND FARM APPLICATION NO. SSD 9679
I am attaching my submission to the above mentioned application during public Exhibition of Amended Report November 2022
I hereby declare that I object to the Hills of Gold Wind Farm proposal applicationID No. SSD 9679
I would like my personal details withheld
I have not made any reportable political donations in the previous 2 years
I acknowledge and accept the Department disclaimer and declaration

I strongly support the Hills of Gold Wind Farm project, including the changes that have been made. The wild life corridor that has been created by having fewer turbines than originally planned and by changing the positions of some turbines, will reduce potential negative impacts on biodiversity. Moving the transport route to Crawney Road is a sensible solution to the difficulties associated with navigating Devil's Elbow and will be less disruptive to Nundle and Hanging Rock residents.
For more than a decade meteorological surveys have identified the current project site as an ideal location for a wind farm. It will Government Action on Climate Change strategy and it will ensure continued energy supply for a large area when Liddell Power Station closes.
The wind farm opponents have suggested that their opposition is based on the unsuitability of the proposed location of the Hills of Gold Wind Farm. However, at least one member of Hills of Gold Preservation Inc. has attended public meetings of other proposed wind farms in our region with the express purpose of "providing expertise" on how to effectively oppose and disrupt wind farm planning and development.
If an anti windfarm media campaign determines the suitability of a proposed site, I fear that it will set a precedent for all future
proposed renewable projects in New South Wales.

27th November 2022
Director - Energy Assessments
Planning and Assessment
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

To Whom it May Concern,
HILLS OF GOLD WIND FARM
• I am attaching my concerns to the amended Development Application for the Hills of Gold Wind Farm proposal SSD 9679.
• I would like my personal details withheld.
• I have not made any reportable political donations in the previous 2 years.
• I acknowledge and accept the Department disclaimer and declaration.
_________________________
Landowner – Nundle District.

The name speaks for itself, when the sun shines on the mountains they turn a golden color. Hence the name "Hills of Gold". Visitors to the Nundle area always admire the view and say what pretty little villages Hanging Rock and Nundle are. To put wind turbines on the mountain would totally spoil the vista.
Residents from both Hanging Rock and Nundle choose to live there because of the tranquil surrounds. Tranquility will cease if the wind farm is allowed to proceed.
The amount of extra heavy machinery and trucks using the local roads will destroy what is left of the sealed roads. Tamworth Regional Council cannot maintain the roads as they are continually being destroyed by heavy log trucks and extra heavy would make the problem worse.
Property values would decrease as no one would want to buy a property and continually look at wind turbines movements .
It would be an environmental disaster to erect a wind farm along the mountains as land slips are common and there are numerous rare animal and insect species that live in the area. There are many unanswered question ie. Where are they going to get the water from to mix the cement etc. How are they going to get the blades up the winding narrow roads, there will obviously be disruptions to local Hanging Rock residents. I am totally against this project because of the environmental impact it will have on the Nundle , Hanging Rock area and surrounds.

These Wind turbines are only good for ten years & are not recyclable. A Clusterfuck if you ask me.
These Hills of Nundle hold Endangered Species like Koalas & Quolls.
The government has to Stop Destroying Vital Native Habitat, it's Time OUR Government kept there word & Start Helping to Protect OUR ENDANGERED SPECIES OUR KOALAS all OUR ECOSYSTEMS & BIODIVERSITY.
This Proposal is nothing but OUR GOVERNMENT BEING ENVIRONMENTAL VANDALS there are better places for these Wind Turbines to be build.
I Strongly Object to this Environmental Vandalism in Vital Koala Habitat

We need to act now if we are to stand a chance against climate change. The recent weather events have proven that things are changing fast!
Renewable energy is the biggest, cheapest, cleanest and best way for us all to make a global positive impact.
Local employment and investment in the local areas will also help improve the lives of the communities who host these projects.
Cheaper electricity is a win for all Australians - regardless of position on renewable energy!

My house is identified as TR2 on Sonus noise assessment maps. The assessment states that my house is located 11 meters from the road. This is false, the window of my house is 5.5 meters from the edge of the tar and it is 11 meters to the other side of the road. I was shocked to learn about the proposed quarry in the State Forest and the 63 trucks carting gravel through the Hanging Rock village. It would be impossible to keep the dust out of our houses and rain water tanks. The traffic noise really affects me. The blue serpentine here has asbestos in it and is a big concern. The peace and quiet of Hanging Rock village will be ruined. Look at the state of the roads are in now, without the additional traffic from this wind farm, our roads will be completely wrecked. The beautiful scenery of this area and the mountainous vista will be visually ruined forever. This technology will be outdated very fast, we need better options. I don’t want to see Australian power projects owned by foreign companies. Nundle has been renewed through tourism and this wind farm is putting it all at risk with the traffic through the Nundle village, the delays the visitors will face with the required road works and volumes of traffic. There is huge visual impact with all the proposed road works in Nundle village. That’s not why people come here, they come to get away from all this.

This project will have a huge traffic impact on Nundle village. Too many trucks causing damage to our roads surface. There will be major delays when the intersections in the village are being modified. There is now additional traffic on Forrest Way proposed with gravel trucks running from the quarry. I am very concerned about the visual impact, with many turbines and red lights visible from my property day and night.

The issues I raised in my previous submission remain unaddressed. The amended proposal results in additional visual impact, additional traffic impact, additional negative environmental impact. The project now requires more clearing with extra roads added.
The fire risk for Hanging Rock, increased with affirmed climate change impact, is of huge concern because we will be denied air support.
The compaction & concrete used in the construction will reduce water absorption causing issues with run off. The multitude of springs will also be negatively impacted.
The social impact of this proposed project has had an ever increasing negative impact on the Nundle Hanging Rock & surrounds community. This area is at risk of floods, fire & delayed emergency assistance & resources, we need to be a cohesive community for our physical & mental well-being, for our survival even. Our community is divided, conflicted with risk of loss of support, co-operation in a crisis.
Please note that virtually all those against this project have no financial interest involved, some have even refused very attractive offers (bribes). While there is personal financial gain/vested interests prejudicing the position of many of the proponents.

Wholeheartedly support this submission for a new wind farm in the world's bid to decarbonise and ensure a sustainable future for all people.
I empathise with those that think they will lose their views and others that believe the local flora and fauna will be negatively affected but as an avid follower of wind farms across Australia for many years as well as being able to climb turbines and witness the beauty that is a wind farm I am convinced and provide first hand evidence here that flora and fauna are very, very rarely interrupted, I have seen sheep flock to the shadows created to receive some respite from Australia's burning sun, I have been on top of a turbine when a bird of prey has hovered nearby around 105m high, I have seen scores of wedge tailed eagles nest, hunt and raise their chicks throughout a wind farm and I have seen a koala climb inside a turbine to seek respite from the heat as it moved from tree to tree.
Yes, the turbines are visual, many do not have air craft warning lights on them but they are graceful constructions and best of all, they provide power to thousands of homes with the smallest carbon footprint of all energy producing equipment. Not only this but the wind farms provide income for land owners securing them some confidence against drought or flood, they provide a sustainable future for many families not just during construction but long after as the turbines produce energy as the employees and visitors need places to stay, food to eat from local cafes and hotels and the tourist activity increases as many turbine followers flock to see the latest and greatest models all playing their part to save the planet.
Bring on the wind farms - now and forever!