Rye Park Wind Farm

I am horrified that decommissioning of the turbines is likely to be avoided by the proponents as they are known to set up shelf companies and clear out of the country when things "go badly for them" I note that Trustpower has announced that they have split off a part of their company as a separate entity from the parent company to be Trustpower Australia. This smacks to me of being "Just in case " they want to do just that!!! Farm families wont be able to do it so do we look at the ruins forever?

I reserve the right to add further comments to this submission at a later date,

I support the Rye Park wind farm project & all other wind farms as I believe clean energy is the way we should be heading.

Previous approvals of WindPEG projects have had conditions around demolition when these scars on our landscape become redundant; however no provisions have been made for when these Energy Speculators go into liquidation due to financial failure.

A precedent has been set in NSW with the Mining Industry; where miners are required to submit a BOND to protect the community from the costs of re-habilitation when the mine ultimately fails.

A similar provision is UREGENTLY needed with WindPEGs.

The likelyhood that these wind industry speculators will financially fail is very high, just like all the failed Forestry MIS schemes, i.e. TimberCorp and Great Southern; businesses based on distorted market conditions invariably fail when REAL economics are applied.

If the NSW Government is stupid enouth to approve this rambling and destructive project they MUST apply a BOND to each turbine to protect the State and Community when this $1 shelf company pulls the pin on Australia and runs back to New Zealand.
To not apply a BOND would be a total failing of State Governance.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to the DPE.
I believe this project assimilates well with agriculture being non polluting, quite noon intrusive production unit that will over time aid Australia's transition to a sustainable energy source.

The area has been extensively investigated for ecological anthropology and environmental impact and found to be of non significant impact.
The area during development by pioneering families of the 1830's was change dramatically in every way. This was considered "progress" This was followed during the 1960's by the planting of clover and use of super-phosphate fertilizer which changed both ecology and color of the country side forever.
Both above developments gave considerable benefits to the local inhabitants for many years.
During recent years, we have seen the subdivision of many large farms into housing blocks that has brought visual, social and economic impact to the area, with very little criticism.
The wind farm development is just another change to this wonderful area that will give lasting economic benefit and will be considered as progress.

I support the project because it is going to create jobs in the region.
I also believe that wind farms will provide clean energy that will benefit not only the region, but the country as well.

I am extremely opposed to the Rye Park wind farm!!!!!
I am concerned for my family's health, as they'll be living in very close proximity of the turbines. Also, the value of their properties will be surely negatively affected which is not fair on them at all, if they do not want them near their homes!!!!!

I object to the Rye Park Wind Farm on the grounds of significant visual impact which will be greatly evident from my family's property, with turbines only 1.6km from the house.
I have concerns for the impact to the natural landscape that will be caused by traffic movement and land clearing on the range and the subsequent erosion that will be difficult/impossible to contain.
I also do not believe that the wildlife mitigation scenarios planned will stop the death of significant numbers of birds, reptiles, mammals and marsupials during the life of the wind farm.

I totally support the Rye Park Wind Farm Project for the following reasons:
*They produce clean non-toxic energy unlike coal which is a fossil fuel extracted from the ground and very toxic.
*Australia has a duty of care and responsibility to help the rest of the world to build wind towers to produce as much clean energy as possible to stop the destruction of our land and environment.
*Countries like USA, Denmark, Spain, India and Germany have constructed many wind power turbines and are making a significant effort in producing clean air.
*Studies in Australia and abroad have shown that wind turbines do not affect people's health and quality of life, audit able noise levels are fine.

Hi
I put in my submission for the original proposal and this amended proposal is not much different with lesser wind turbines to be installed. I object to the whole project as per my previous submission and do not wish to have any wind turbines erected. Also I have read the public submissions of the residents in the area and an overwhelming majority do not want them. Please listen to us.
Thank You

Objections:
1) Neither my road (Karoon Lane) nor my house ('Homeleigh') are marked on any of the Trustpower maps.
2) Trustpower has NOT met with me despite stating in the RTS that they had consulted extensively with everyone living within
5 kms of the turbines. MY HOUSE is approximately 3.5 kms from the 12 turbines, all of which will be appallingly visible to me!
3) As stated in my previous submission (which I wish to be taken into account), I have no desire to have my peaceful & pleasant views obliterated by twelve 137 metre high monstrosities, not to mention noise disturbance & health hazards.
4) Concern over the indisputable devaluation of land and property values cannot be overemphasised.
5) Major disturbance to the natural environment is another matter of great concern.

Planning Services
NSW Department of Planning & Environment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001
RE: Rye Park Wind Farm Project Application - Application Number 10-0223
Attention: Executive Director, Resource Assessments & Business Systems.

I object to this project.

I am a Yass resident and I am very worried about the wind farm that is going to be built around our town. My main worry is the damage it will do to the environment, the animals and the birds. Our water will be taken off us. As we get 3 levels of water usage over the summer months not enough will be allowed to water our gardens or do the washing as the river is our only water in our town. It is not fair to the Yass Community to take it for something else that is not necessary to our town or community.
The health issue is also a concern as so many people have told me it's brought on a lot of health problems such as bad headaches and also the noise causes ear problems, earaches and such as well as stress and depression.
We have had no communication from the wind people. I have lived here for over 60 years and like my town as it is so don't let them do it.

I oppose the Rye Park wind farm number ssd6693.
Trust Power will clear large areas of native forest and, partially cleared forest as well as disturb native and improved grasslands.
In their report titled Revised Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, section 5.2, topography and drainage.
They quote the elevation of the wind farm site falls gently from North to South. They don't mention this site is a very narrow North/South ridge line with very steep sloping terrain and valley's, for most of it's length on the eastern and western sides. The sites bedrock is of shale and slate with highly erodable and water soluble soils, making it difficult to stablise once disturbed. In situations like this it is very easy for noxoius weeds to establish and given the rugged landscape it would be impossible to control. The main concern being serrated tussock which is already growing very close to the west of the site. Seed of this tussock is very easily distributed by animals and birds both native and domestic, wind also vehicles of which there will be thousands of movements. Once established on this steep and inaccessable terrain it will soon be infesting neighbouring properties.
The errosion also has high risk of contaminating water run off into Blakney Creek to the east and Pudman to the west threatning the endangered Southern Pygmy Perch which inhabit both creeks and their feeder streams.

I support this project because I believe that wind power is a clean renewable energy. It will also bring work opportunities and progress to the region

*Like solar energy, wind energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world with the United States aiming to produce 20 percent of its electricity by wind power by 2030.
*It is renewable and clean source of energy that doesn't generate any greenhouse gases.
*It is cost effective since wind turbines can give energy to numerous homes.

To Whom it may concern,
I am writing this submission oppossing the Rye Park wind farm no:SSD6693.
I am concerned about the survival of the Wedge Tail Eagle in the Rye Park region.
In Trust Powers biodiversity assessment addendum 4.7
they state only one nest was found and that no turbine would be placed within 500 metres of it , they also estimate the popalation of Eagles to be between four and thirteen for the entire lenght of the project being forty kilometres.This count was arrived at by assuming that the Rye Park site would be the same as another unnamed site near Canberra. For all we know the Canberra site could be affected by urban sprall, lack of forrestation or indeed exccesive forrestation etc. etc. In contrast I have on one occassion counted seventeen feeding in one location, and often seen four or five flying over and around our property which is within four kilometres of the proposed turbines.
The Eagles habit is to soar the air thermals both at high and low altitudes to the east and west for the entire leght of the range. This would make them very susceptable to blade strike whilst hunting or just coming into land. With so many wind farms planned around Rye Park this could put the population of the Wedge Tail Eagle and its habitat in this area in danger. Meaning it could be the last habitat for many kilometres.
Another concern is for the endangered Crimson Spider Orchid.
When surveys were conducted in November no evidence of flowering was found. The Orchid flowers between August and October and often only flowers every second year.
Bearing, only these two cases in mind one has to question the timing, accuracey and complete honesty of these and any other surveys conducted and for this reason this project should be stopped.

My Wife and I oppose the Rye Park Wind farm no:SSD6693.
We are concerned about the cumulative affects of so many industrial wind turbines in our region. There are 600 turbines proposed or being built east and west of Rye Park. The Rugby wind farm to the north (now shelved) could go ahead, as its closest turbine is only 970 metres from Rye Parks northern turbine. This would nearly surround Rye Park.
Rye Park is becoming a lifestyle area with many new residents moving into the region, and this proposal is having a devaluing affect on their and our property. I have spoken to two different realtors in Yass both stating that in their opinion there could be a devaluation of up to 60% of land values within 10 kilomtres of wind turbines.When I approached Trust Power about our concern they disbelieved it, stating that they prefer to work on the Vauer General vauations. This is a government base rate on unimproved land value and is much lower than true real estate values.
Another major concern is the threat of Bush fires. The ridges will have turbine access tracks which is great. But most of the range is unaccessable to Fire vehicles meaning that we rely on air support in the event of a fire, and air support is vital. With wind turbines obstructing low altitude aircraft support we have little to no chance of extinguishing a fire.

I am an non involved land owner with a residence within 1.66 KM of the nearest proposed wind power generation appliance. I have resided at this location for 24 years. I am yet to be formally or informally consulted by the current developer Trustpower. I did have one visit from the previous developer, an Epuron Project Manager , Mr Hall at the time who provide superficial information in relation to the proposed development. I asked that he provide the specific modeling data in relation to the cumulative acoustic outputs of wind farm appliances and the data relating to efficiency and cost of generation verses current base load power. I was informed that information was "CiC" and the proposal would be approved whether I liked to or not. As some one who is employed as a Senior Research Scientist within the Commonwealth Government I find it indefensible that analytical data has not either been used or made available so that an informed view of the development can be made.

I fully support the Rye Park Wind Project and it is very pleasing this project is progressing to the stage of final development approval.

At present, there is no form of energy that is perfect in any given situation, but renewable energy is the only option to care for our planet. Wind power in this area offers substantial clean energy, yet low impact on agricultural land use and natural resources found here. It is essential that projects such as this go ahead and continue to contribute to the goal of 100% renewable energy powering our needs, because our future depends on reigning in the impact of climate change and environmental destruction wrought by non-renewable energy sources.

I look forward to the economic advantages our region will benefit from this project going ahead. With such an injection of funds into the community, this region can progress to realise its full potential. Existing businesses will be stimulated to grow and new ones establish. The community that is so important to contributing to each residents sense of well-being and belonging, will prosper by being able to offer more opportunities in the way of employment, education, and community services. The economic benefits of this project would be long term and far reaching in this region. This area needs such development opportunities to ensure its future prosperity in a time when there continues to be falling populations, and less opportunities in country regions to attract young people to build their futures in the area.

SSD 6693

I am Maddi Pearsall. I have lived in the Rye Park community my whole life, 21 years. I am a fourth generation Pearsall. I must admit I like the turbines, their imposing height, the way they enhance the landscape, and their capacity to produce electricity. Recently I was standing near the turbines at Carcoar, it was noisy but not overwhelming, and I was in awe admiring a manmade product fitting perfectly into the landscape. This is also a popular rest stop for travellers.

I spent most of my spare time helping my family on the farm and enjoyed every minute of it. However when I completed high school, I choose to move to Bathurst to further my studies and allow myself to be open to more job opportunities as Rye Park is very limited in career choices. I believe that the wind turbines will create a high percentage of jobs and benefit the local community in a variety of ways. The community would benefit from the turbines by creating jobs and ongoing employment and staff.

From personal experience working in the hills on our property it can get quiet windy. I believe the wind is a great resource, the wind turbines can utilise this reserve. We have a large amount of property that the wind turbines could be placed on and they would have little impact on the running of our farm as they do not take up a lot of area unlike other resources such as, solar farms. Our family farm sheep, they would not be affected in terms of their grazing area being taken over as they would be able to graze right up to the edge of the turbines.

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." I believe it is about time that we all become realists.