MOD 1 - Turbine and infrastructure changes

Submission LRWF

Carol and John Richard, Cooinda, Cassilis
Firstly, I would say that Umwelt has presented this report very well – given the dire impositions that our Governments have legislated to bring this country to its knees over a Green Conspiracy.
The issue of water for the project was totally ignored from 2009 to 2019 when Tilt took over and we pressed the matter.
We consider this a monumental oversight when you know that Australia is the driest continent in the world and water should be top of everyone’s list.
Submissions Report 4.7 DPE – Water Page 35
Estimate 627ML over the four year construction period page 36 Submissions Report. Repeated Pages 84/85.
We would seriously question the validity of those figures.
Google says
The water-to-cement ratio for a typical concrete formulation varies from 0.35 to 0.4 (0.35 ton of water per ton of cement).
On average, water makes up about 18% of the concrete ready mix itself, not including the water used in other processes. The proportion of water used in batching can vary based on the mix design, temperature and humidity.22 Feb 2023
The total water in a well-designed mix with conventional aggregates is often around 190 litres per cubic metre. That includes the moisture in the aggregate. It takes comparatively little water to change the workability (eg slump).
Footings range between 550 to 850 cubic metres of homogenously placed concrete. Reinforcement rates for these footings would range from 60 tonne per footing for a smaller, lightly reinforced base, compared to 110 tonne per footing for a larger, more heavily reinforced base.28 Feb 2023
We would imagine that LRWF would be the 110t base.
With all the dust suppression for road upgrades, quarry dust suppression, access roads and transmission poles bases, equipment washing, workers’ requirements this estimation appears to well short of actual requirements.
Would you please advise if the figure of say, 155ML annually is correct?
 
Landowners in this black soil country recognise that weed control is a top management problem, closely followed by feral pests.
Some properties have been totally overrun by St Johns Wort (Noxious weed) causing huge management problems. The leaves and flowers contain hypericin, which causes photo-sensitisation when ingested by grazing animals, resulting in health problems, production losses and death.
As soon as the topsoil is disturbed, a proliferation of weeds, particularly Bathurst Burr whose seeds lie in the ground for 9 years waiting for the soil disturbance. Wort is spread easily by kangaroos with the seeds sticking to their fur. Noogoora Burr is now common in local waterways. Since the Warrumbungles bushfire (2013) and Sir Ivan Fire (2017) feral pigs have invaded our area.
The disturbance to our environment by the construction of LRWF is set to be an environmental disaster. DPI page 36 appear to be out of touch with the particular locality– we note that Landcare nor Local Land Services made no submissions.
The cost of controlling these weeds and pests is astronomical currently – further inevitable spread through topsoil disturbance and restrictive access to construction areas will be disastrous.
5.1.8 Soil and Erosion Page 86
It appears that Tilt relies on Managing Urban Stormwater – Soils and Construction.
How is this relevant in black soil country?
When the gas pipeline was constructed on the other side of Coolah, landowners were faced with losing tonnes and tonnes of soil and left with gaping gullies.
APH Website
SUBMISSION TO THE INQUIRY INTO THE IMPACTS OF COAL SEAM GAS We run a mixed farming & grazing operation over 2300 acres, 15km north of Coolah in NSW. We put forward our comments as landholders who have been affected by the existing Central Ranges high pressure gas pipeline and as farmers who are deeply concerned about the security of our valuable food production areas in Australia. During a flood event in December 2010, some 8 metres of the Central Ranges high pressure gas pipeline was exposed on our black soil property. The black soil paddock where this flood damage occurred was inaccessible by road. The main road [Black Stump Way] which fronts our farm was closed with police assistance & the sandbagging process was carried out by helicopter. Repairs to the exposed pipeline & preventative measures to protect the pipeline did not commence until six [6] months after the damage occurred. These repairs were inconvenient & expensive. On completion of repair we have to contend with compaction of our black soil farmland after some 2800 T of rock & heavy machinery was utilised over the area for months. This compaction & loss of vegetation will take years to rehabilitate. The APIA [Australian Pipeline Industry Association] made comment on 17th August 2011, denying the pipeline is to blame for the damage on our property. In an effort to discredit concerned farmers, the APIA spokesperson implies that we have questioned the veracity of the Soil Conservation Service's assessment of the pipeline erosion.
Warrumbungle Shire Council has permanently installed signs to Reduce Speed, Rough Surface on relatively recently bitumenised roads about the damaged pavement due to unstable black soil.


We have other issues about construction particularly Work Health and Safety and local response to “incidents”.
We note that there was no submission from NSW Ambulance who would be the first responders. Rural Fire Service volunteers are not first responders.
Page 47 on computer, p38 on document

4.12 Fire and Rescue NSW
Given the size and nature of the proposed facility, and to ensure first responders have information readily available to render safe any incident, FRNSW make the following recommendations: 1. That an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is developed for the site in accordance with HIPAP No.1. 2. That an Emergency Services Information Package (ESIP) be prepared in accordance with FRNSW fire safety guideline – Emergency services information package and tactical fire plans.

The requirements to prepare an Emergency Response Plan and an Emergency Services Information Package are noted and reflect the general requirements under existing Development Consent conditions which require the development of procedures to manage potential fires on site, in consultation with the Rural Fire Service.

Rural Fire Service are not the first responders to an incident. FRNSW – respond to in town fires, accidents.
We are talking two entirely different actions here – incident,i.e. accident; and fire.

The document has a lot to say about the lack of mobile reception, black spots over the entire footprint of project.
page 79
6.7.1.7 Emergency Service Providers A search of radiocommunication sites operated by emergency service providers within 30 km of the Project identified four providers: Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW Police Force, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and NSW Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA). Emergency service providers were contacted as part of the consultation process. Responses were received from the NSW Police Force, RFS and VRA. The NSW Police Force and VRA both stated that there would be no impact to their services. The NSW RFS requested that Tilt Renewables measure the transmission clarity and strength, pre- and post-wind farm construction.

Was local Coolah VRA been consulted? Or local health providers who are overstretched without up to 500 extra workers in the district?

page 78
6.7.1.4 Mobile Phone Reception Existing mobile phone reception is observed to be either marginal, or non-existent within and surrounding the Project site. As such, limited disturbance is expected by the RTS Project.
Limited disturbance – should it not be limited service availability?

The document states that the nearest hospital for serious “incident” would be Dubbo Base. (I think from Cassilis, it would be via Merriwa to John Hunter.)

It is irresponsible that up to ?500 workers move to a community with known limited health and safety resources. Construction teams should be self-sufficient medically and be prepared for emergencies - all fully equipped.

As construction is slated for 2024, when will the community consultation take place by the construction firms?

I'm providing comments on the LPRWF TWA Facility and as such, are attached.

CASA has reviewed the undated Exhibition of Amended State Significant Development Modification Application for the proposed Liverpool Range Wind Farm near Coolah … Liverpool Range Wind Farm Modification 1 Application No SSD-6696-Mod-1.

The undated document advised that:
The modification application proposes to:
• decrease the maximum number of turbines to 185;
• increase the maximum tip height to 215 m;

On 13 October 2022 CASA provided comments on the Liverpool Range Wind Farm with 220 wind turbines with a maximum tip height of 250 m Above Ground Level (AGL).

The proposed modified wind farm will comprise up to 185 wind turbines with a maximum tip height of 215 m AGL.

The previous CASA submission of 13 October 2022 remains valid. Although the turbines have reduced in height, the CASA recommendations remain the same.

As a business owner servicing the Coolah/ Cassilis area I support the construction of the Liverpool Range Wind Farm.
Coolah and Cassilis work population has diminished over time and needs to be reversed.
This project gives the Coolah/Cassilis area a chance to revitalise its self with the influx of business and employment opportunities that will arise.
There is great opportunity for both business and the township alike to prosper economically and socially during construction and the life of the wind farm.
The VPA is one such funding agreement that will see the whole district benefit with monies having to be spent within 20km of the wind farm. This will benefit every member of the community one way or another.
Financial support to the community (sponsorship) will help organisations to survive.
Our road network will be upgraded and maintained to the highest standard during construction.
The list goes on and on.

Thank you for the opportunity to support this project

I support the Liverpool Range Wind Farm.

The wind farm will provide untold benefits to the Coolah/Cassilis district.
* improved roads to the area.
*improved services to the area.
* increased job opportunity to the area.
*business opportunity to the towns people being able to subcontract to Tilt and its contractors
* accomodation business opportunities with the increased workforce ( hotels, motel, rentals)
* increased business opportunities for food outlets ( Sporting club, hotels, service stations, coffee shop, food vendors, supermarket)
* increased business opportunity for the local trades persons to contract to Tilt and its contractors ( engineering, hardware, concrete, material supply, electrcians, builders, plumbers, painters, labourers, concreters, transport, earthmoving)
* improved facilities to Coolah/ Cassilis with financial support from Tilt (per turbine through the VPA system to be spent within 20km of the wind farm)
* increased sponsorship to the regions charities, sporting groups, organisations, schools, preschools, radio station.
*increased financial stability to some land holders which has the possibility to provide employment advantages.
* job opportunities after construction is completed with maintenance type employment with Tilt.

This is a great opportunity for the district to move forward with an industry that will provide huge ongoing benefits and very few if any negative impacts to the area.

I support the Liverpool Range Wind Farm.

The wind farm will provide untold benefits to the Coolah/Cassilis district.
* improved roads to the area.
*improved services to the area.
* increased job opportunity to the area.
*business opportunity to the towns people being able to subcontract to Tilt and its contractors
* accomodation business opportunities with the increased workforce ( hotels, motel, rentals)
* increased business opportunities for food outlets ( Sporting club, hotels, service stations, coffee shop, food vendors, supermarket)
* increased business opportunity for the local trades persons to contract to Tilt and its contractors ( engineering, hardware, concrete, material supply, electrcians, builders, plumbers, painters, labourers, concreters, transport, earthmoving)
* improved facilities to Coolah/ Cassilis with financial support from Tilt (per turbine through the VPA system to be spent within 2kms of the wind farm)
* increased sponsorship to the regions charities, sporting groups, organisations, schools, preschools, radio station.
*increased financial stability to some land holders which has the possibility to provide employment advantages.
* job opportunities after construction is completed with maintenance type employment with Tilt.

This is a great opportunity for the district to move forward with an industry that will provide huge ongoing benefits and very few if any negative impacts to the area.

I object to the workers camp modification application. Please see attached.

Please see attached submission

I support this project , the financial and social benefits for the town will be huge , people will come to town and that is a huge boost for the schools and local sports clubs and shops and pubs and the sports club which will in turn provide better health facilities , more teachers police ambulance health workers and the influx of wind farm workers spending money in town it is a win win for everyone

I am concerned about the lack of detail and acknowledgement of the Glossy Black Cockatoo (yellow) noted as a venerable species. Concerned a correct study has not been complete over 12month period including the seasonal movements. The black cockatoo is a seasonal animal and weather reliant bird for their movements. Coolah tops National park is a nesting ground for the rare species of Cockatoo. They fly long distances 12km or more to feed down the valleys in the morning and return in the evening. In windy or stormy weather conditions the Cockatoos fly in large flocks out of the tops to seek shelter lower down in the valleys.
The turbines will be in their feeding ground and their sheltered ground. They will be at high risk of strike. There will be a reduction of habitat for them to feed and shelter.

I do Not agree to the windfarms in our area.