Paling Yards Wind Farm

Having reviewed the proposal and peer reviewed journal articles on wind farms, I have come to the conclusion that wind farms should not be constructed, mainly due to the following based on my research:
- Avian fatalities. Australia has unique birds which should be protected, not their population put at significant risk
- Local climate change. Wind turbines (especially wind farms) are known to change the climate in the immediate vicinity of the wind farm, which in turn can affect the local ecosystem, including farmers
- Eye sore. Large artificial structures in the landscape are unsightly
- Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). Wind farms can cause EMI, impacting mobile phones, radar, radio and TV transmissions, some of which are essential for people living in the area
- Contradictory. Most wind turbines are made in China, and China is the largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions. China uses fossil fuels - some of which Australia sells to China -and it is not in Australia’s interest to support China’s economy. In fact, using fossil fuels in Australia instead of buying and transporting wind turbines from China would likely have less of an impact on the environment
- Hazards. If turbines are still, ice shards can form and fall off, killing or injuring people and/or animals. Some turbine nacelle fires are, apart from being a huge risk in Australia with fires, are unable to be extinguished

Based on all of the above, the Paling Yards Wind Farm proposal should not go ahead.

It will cause insightful views. They are terrible for native birds. Will cause deforestation and the slaughter of native wild life. Terrible idea that will ruin tourism to the area.

I object to the potential desecration or damage to the Avenue of Trees in O’Connell NSW in order to transport gigantic components of proposed wind turbines. These trees were planted approximately one hundred years ago as a public monument to those Australian souls who fought to defend our country. They form a sacred site to our local community and an integral part of a state and nationwide memorial to Australia’s past and future cultural heritage. How dare anyone even consider offending or destroying in any manner this sacred site.

I strongly object to this and future proposals like this. The damage to the ANZAC Memorial at O'Connell is unexceptable. We were told that green energy would be cheaper, yet Australia has more green energy and more expensive power bills than ever.
Wind towers are not as green as we are lead to believe. They cannot be recycled, they have a short lifespan and require fossil fuels to start, be created and transported. The damaging effects of the low level vibrations produced by the towers would be detrimental to the health of people and nature. Not only do the towers kill birds and bats, they are an eyesore which will impact tourism and the landscape. Wind is unreliable, plus the coal and gas we aren't using here will still be sent to abroad to for burning.

I agree with renewable energy - but believe that the users of the energy should be more directly involved in the provision of said energy. It is not fair that pristine rural areas and their residents do all the heavy lifting. If cities require the energy - why not do offshore wind generation for delivery to the residents of those cities.
My main objections to the very large wind turbines is:
- the physical and mental health of residents due to the noise and vibrations created by the turbines;
- the need for additional transmission lines across traditional farmland to get the power from these wind 'farms' to the cities and the population areas requiring the power;
- the size of these turbines will impact aerial fire fighting capacity in the event of bush fires putting the residents of the wider area at risk of wild fires developing;
- the risk to birdlife and potential 'at risk' bird populations coming to grief in the giant blades; and
- the damage to pristine rural environments and the tourist potential of the area.

The EIS for the Paling Yard Wind farm has been lodged for 47 Wind Turbine Generators at the southern end of the Oberon LGA. The route of the 70m long 5.9m high components for the towers will be trucked through O'Connell which will result in the trimming and possible removal of trees within the Avenue of Trees. This is something I am deeply concerned about.
The Route study provided with the EIS states: "All roads from this point {the turn off onto O'Connell Road} through to site will need to be checked for a clear passage of at least 5.3 m for overhead branches. Some trimming/removal is likely from this point onwards. There is a section of road just before O’Connell that is of particular concern (the Avenue)". The report is deliberately vague about the Avenue of Trees and the impacts of not just of trimming but of potential removal.
Another concerning factor is the fact that the Avenue is not listed as a heritage item, despite the approximately 900-meter long living memorial of 120 desert ash trees along O’Connell Road being established in 1926 to honor the soldiers from O’Connell who served in the first world war. This means the potential impacts of these works have not been fully considered, and need to be.

The O’Connell ANZAC Memorial Avenue is a living war memorial. It is dedicated to the men and women from O’Connell and district who served during the First World War. Of the sixty-six known men and women of the area who enlisted, twelve were killed in action. The O’Connell ANZAC avenue of honour consists of 120 beautiful Desert Ash trees (Fraxinus augustifolia) planted between 1925 and 1927. It was officially opened by Field Marshall Lord Allenby in January 1926. The Western Times, January 30, 1926, reported: ‘The drive is O’Connell’s lasting tribute to its brave men in The Great War, and it will keep ever green their memory and chivalrous deeds.’ The project was the initiative of the men and women of the O’Connell community. Dances and musical events were held to raise funds for the commemorative cause undertaken by the O’Connell Progress Association. The O’Connell ANZAC Memorial Avenue is of rare historical significance as it is one of only a few surviving First World War Memorial Avenues in rural New South Wales. Many Avenues of Honour were planted nationwide, particularly by Australian rural communities dealing with the devastating loss of young men and women. This response to the tragedy of The Great War was largely an Australian phenomenon. Avenues of Honour are significant for their symbolism of soldiers, stability and immortality. O’Connell ANZAC Memorial Avenue is believed to be the only Memorial Avenue planted with Desert Ash which is native to northern Africa and southern Europe, the areas where the troops fought. The trees were raised from seed imported from the Middle East by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, and grown at the Bathurst Experimental Farm. Desert Ash trees were chosen for their hardiness and links to World War I battle sites. The Avenue is a key element within the O’Connell Conservation Area and links several groups of historic buildings within the Conservation Area. As an item the Avenue is the predominant element of the cultural and physical landscape within the O’Connell Valley. The high branches of the towering mature trees of the living war memorial form an arch resembling a cathedral. This symbol of grandeur and honour is deeply significant to the community of O’Connell and district. O’Connell ANZAC Memorial Avenue and associated buildings are listed on the National Trust Register of Australia (NSW). The Memorial Avenue is registered on the list of war memorials in NSW and has state and national recognition.

If the project is to go ahead, I strongly request that the Avenue is not used for transport and that alternate means are sourced. Potential negative impacts on the flora, fauna and tree line are irreparable.

Wind turbines are an industrial scar on the land that will cause more harm pre, during and post construction. They are not a solution to Australia's energy problems. They will cause more destruction of habitat, create more waste and many other unforseen environmental issues.
This project should not be allowed to go ahead.