Winterbourne Wind Farm

I strongly object to the Winterbourne Project because
1. I live in Bendemeer and need to drive to Tamworth to work everyday and our roads will be blocked and closed with heavy equipment constantly. When they were building the Glen Innes Windfarm they closed the Moonbi's everytime they bought a blade or part of the turbine up the Moonbi's this causes huge delays trying to go to work it will be 10 times worse with the amount they want to build at Walcha
2. We are a farming community that is how we live to change this would be wrong we are ruining good grazing land
3. These turbines leak oil and all grazing land around them is ruined
4. We live in the country because we love the peace and quiet turbines make a noise and it is a 24/7 noise that can cause health problems including mental health problems
5. the infrasound they emit can cause health problems for humans and animals
6. The are an eyesore 250 m tall and will ruin our beautiful scenery
7. Our roads will be overtaken by the trucks and vehicles they use that will cause delays for people going to work or parent drop offs at school
8. The project is causing friction in the community which is very sad and this has already started in Bendemeer
8.

I own three properties that adjoin proposed wind projects and have been to many meetings including Walcha, and have spent many hours researching pros and cons of renewables, I I have been shocked at the destruction of the community there, I feel that many if not most don’t fully understand the long term effects that it will have during construction on that small community, and the gap between winners and losers is huge, most of Walcha community is being asked to subsidize the project for the benefit of a overseas company and a handful of hosts.
The scale and proximity to Walcha cannot be fully appreciated until after construction, and by then it will all be too late.
I feel that the government has given very ambitious guide lines for projects to follow and the lack of clear guide lines has lead to a huge amount of projects to be proposed that are really inappropriate for certain areas , winterborne being one of these projects
Regards Dave Munsie

My family has resided in Walcha for ten years. It is a small and vibrant community who live out their lives in the most part, in a very harmonious and helpful way. They are particularly aware of health of their environment, given it is the basis of their farming occupation.The Walcha district is incredibly productive and the Landscape attracts thousand of visitors in awe of the natural beauty.
The Winterbourne Project has been extremely divisive with the Walcha Community. Significant details have not been released to the community and the closer residents looked at the fine detail, the more alarmed they were at the prospect of this project proceeding. My family is not opposed to renewable energy projects. Their objection, in this case, is the total lack of transparency of information provided by vested commercial interests and government agencies. We travel regularly to Walcha to visit my family and I know they are craving to rebuild their community free of the threat of the Winterbourne Project.

I Object to the Winterbourne Wind Farm development.
Please find my objection letter attached.
Thankyou
Kate Durack

I feel the project will be a major visual and accoustical intrusion into the lives of rural residents in the area. Many of these residents have chosen this area for its peace and beauty. Of particular concern is the noctural noise intrusion that may interfere with sleep.

I am also very concerned about the risk of noise intrusion into the township of Walcha and the surrounding region, including the national parks. The EIS gives no consideration to this issue.

The project is a waste of time and resources, we need to be looking into nuclear power if we are going to power this country in the future.

I support the Winterbourne Wind Farm Project as I am a supporter of renewable energy. Walcha has been identified as a significant REZ as we have the necessary resource in abundance i.e wind. With our coal fired power stations destined to close we need to find an alternative urgently if we are to maintain the regular power supply to our homes we have come to expect and indeed take for granted. While there are many forms of renewable energy possible I don't believe we are being offered a viable alternative. I understand projects such as the one proposed in Walcha to be only a part of the solution.

Wacha will benefit in many ways from this project. Small country towns such as ours can benefit immensely from new industry's instead of relying largely on Agriculture which can be a very risky sector. The community will receive money from the Community Benefit Fund which can be hugely beneficial to small sporting groups and organization's as well as Scholarships and money towards infrastructure upgrades. Through the construction phase I believe small businesses will prosper, while this period may be short lived, a 3–5-year boost to local cafes, pubs and associated supply chains can make a huge difference to the growth and viability of these businesses. The Council will benefit from increased rates from the leased areas. The landholders hosting the turbines will also benefit with lease payments, this enhances the financial sustainability of these small businesses who have plenty of challenges including climate change. This will have a flow on effect into the community through employment and spending.

I believe the project can be built in an efficient manner with respect to the disruptions it will cause the community in the short term. I understand there is a rigorous planning process and standards to be met for such a project to be approved.

I know change is difficult and often scary. I think the anti-wind farm campaign by "Voice for Walcha" is coming from a small parochial group with a loud voice. I don't believe saying "I am a supporter of renewable energy", but I am strongly opposed to development in our area is a valid or open-minded point of view. Change is necessary at times for the greater good.

In my opinion the EIS is flawed and shows a dangerous lack of due diligence in the cursory and deficient assessment. Our roads are not built for heavy vehicles. Inevitable road destruction and disruption because of disproportionate traffic movement on our rural roads is of great concern to me as an 80 year old with medical issues. What systems are reliably put in place for emergency?
Massive use of concrete, one of the most polluting substances in the world flies in the face of any environmental advantage claim. There is a concrete batching facility planned on our road which may impact me personally. Also what will happen to stock movements on this road?
The water in this town is limited and it is a valued resource, taking our water is. It only an affront but could lead to a much bigger problem.
The size of the development is breathtakingly offensive next to our Wilderness and Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. What steps will be taken to protect our wildlife corridors and threatened species. What consultation and agreement has been reached with our First Nation people?
The proposed massive development shows an apparent disregard for small community and I have seen nothing that will be of benefit to us or to the environment. Money to a few property owners perhaps but money pots going overseas. Shameful.

The Developer Vestas have treated the Walcha community with contempt.

They have no understanding of the strong sense of place and connection Walcha residents have to this place. Those that have made the decision to move here, or those that have been living here for generations, have developed strong connections to this area.

The Winterbourne Wind Farm project challenges our sense of place because of the significant changes that will result as a consequence of this large scale industrial project. The Developer has no understanding and has not attempted to understand how this will drastically change the character and the perception of the town to us as residents or to visitors.

Much of the tourism in and around Walcha is based on the scenic quality of the area and its proximity to the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, the local streetscape and its outdoor sculptures, these perceptions are going to be adversely affected. We invite tourists to our town to cycle and motorbike ride along peaceful and winding roads. This will be severely impacted by the massive increase in traffic to our town bring heavy machinery and turbine components every day.

I think the originating host landowners, who became involved in this concept back in the early 2000’s, did not envisage such a destructive and divisive project taking over our town. I think they believed in a renewable energy nirvana that would attract employment and diversified income to the townspeople and landowners.

Little did they know they were signing up with an international energy company who manage, install and service wind turbines across the globe. This company does not normally develop Wind farm projects. They have no experience in this area and their lack of experience is clearly evident for all to see.

There has been no meaningful community consultation. They have not held any community discussions, they have not conducted any significant surveys, they have not spoken with the local first nations people, the Dunghutti, who will be significantly impacted by this development.

A community group was formed to try to bring a voice to the people of Walcha, Voice for Walcha, producing a survey to establish the general sentiment of the community. The results of this survey were derided by the Developer and the originating host landholders.

A common sentiment from those that were surveyed, over 500 in total, was that not enough information was readily available and had not been provided by the developer. There is not enough knowledge and understanding around this development. That people in the community could not and would not speak about it. Neighbours and friends cannot speak to each other about the development, gagged by confidentiality clauses and victimised if they had a differing view. That the development was in the wrong place and not wanted in Walcha.

The Developer has failed in all aspects to consult and communicate with the community. The EIS that has been prepared by the Developer is in places inaccurate, inconsistent and incomplete. They have done the bare minimum in terms of research and it shows. They have again treated the Walcha community with indifference and disrespect.

The Winterbourne Wind Farm project has significant issues that should have been identified long before it got to this stage in the planning process. Not simply are there visual and noise impacts that have been underestimated or misrepresented. The social impacts of the development would indicate that the Developer does not have a social license to operate in this area or indeed in this development space.

Having seen the usually unintended negative impacts of wind farms, I object to the above project:
The most important is what will be done to the wildlife and local Walch area environment. Reports say that the towers are too close to nearby national parks and river systems. The towers are too high and there are too many of them in a relatively small area.
Bird and bat strike are inevitable. Bats are already critically endangered (I have been involved in bat rehab here on the south coast) and am also very much aware of the need to protect bird species such as eagles and cockatoos. The towers on ridgelines will destroy habitat corridors, promote erosion and be destructive to local farms. The expert reports I have seen would suggest that the EIS from the 'developers' is flawed to a great degree, limited in professional cover. Offset arrangements have never been successful. The local wildlife/environment will be permanently damaged.
Towers affect air traffic. This is dangerous in relation to bushfire management (we are still impacted by the 2019 fires here on the south coast. Aircraft were vital to reducing fire destruction of our region. Towers are obviously no go zones for planes. My Walcha friends also suggest the impact on aerial cropdusting and wild dog baiting in the nearby national parks.
Of course there are the local roads to consider. After all the rain to date, most roads are not in good shape, and would not be able to cope with all the heavy truck movements that the proposal would create. Who will pay for road management and future maintenance - the taxpayer of course!! Then there is the problems created for locals by all this truck movement.
My friends in Walcha insist that the supposed community consultation was minimal and insufficient. As well as the towns people, and the farmers, there is the issue of cultural, indigenous impact. I believe this was not seriously studied.
Costs of these projects are a huge issue. Costs usually double or triple from original quotes. If it all goes pearshaped, the foreign 'developer' just walks away and again the taxpayer has to pay for remediation and other expenses. What is the bond?? Is there one?? If there is one, is it realistic??

WalchaEnergy submission on the Winterbourne Wind Project EIS 20-1-2023

WalchaEnergy fully supports the Winterbourne Wind Project.
One of the partners of WalchaEnergy was invited to Walcha in 2004 to meet with a group of landholders in the Winterbourne area to discuss the possibility of hosting a wind energy development in the area. Over time balanced agreements were developed that recognise the needs of the landholders and the developer. A generous community benefit scheme was an important part of the agreements before these became common practice. Wind monitoring began in 2009 and early site layouts and investigations were undertaken. A quiet community engagement process began at that time, along with a presentation to Walcha Council in 2010.

WalchaEnergy is a joint venture between MirusWind (the originator of the Winterbourne Wind Project) and Energy Estate which began JV operations in 2018. The Winterbourne Wind development site was sold to Vestas (a Danish company – the largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world) in 2019. They are taking the development through the planning process. WalchaEnergy is developing a number of renewable energy projects in the New England REZ including Salisbury Solar, Ruby Hills Wind and the Dungowan Pumped Hydro Project.

WalchaEnergy has had an office in Walcha for three years and a principal of WalchaEnergy has owned a house in town for four years. Over the long development timeframe for the Winterbourne Wind Project and the other projects, WalchaEnergy has developed a close relationship with many people in the Walcha Community. The engagement with the community has been open and transparent with group meetings where all participants can talk to each other directly and view maps of the development. There is a large group of individuals in Walcha that support renewable energy and the Winterbourne Wind Project.
The urgent need to address the causes of climate change has been evident to us all, especially over the last few years with devastating droughts, bush fires and more recent flooding events. Electricity generation from coal and gas is one of the largest contributors to climate change and the transition to sustainable and renewable energy generation is a key component of ensuring safe and prosperous futures for ourselves and future generations.

The NSW goal is to have a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (relative to 2005 levels) and we are far from achieving this. This large project alone will provide about 3% of the reduction required to achieve this goal. As described in CSIRO’s annual generation cost report, wind energy is far cheaper than new fossil fuel generation whilst also reducing emissions to near zero. The closure of Liddell Power Station this year and the largest generator in NSW (the 2,880MW Eraring Power Station) in 2025 mean that there is an urgent need to build new generation now. Wind projects like Winterbourne Wind provide the fastest and cheapest way of delivering this new replacement generation.

The NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap legislation was supported by all the major parties and sets out a plan to gradually transition from coal fire electricity generation to renewable generation. The New England Renewable Energy Zone (NE REZ) has been declared by EnergyCo who are undertaking the strategic planning of the REZ. The large Winterbourne Wind Project is in the southern half of the NE REZ and does not need new REZ transmission to be constructed. It needs to be supported to deliver on the vision of NSW Roadmap and help fill the generation gap before Eraring closes.
There will be many local benefits that will flow from this project. These will help to reverse the slow decline in population and aging of the population in Walcha. These include

• 16 permanent operational jobs will bring new families to Walcha. In a small town like Walcha this will make a significant difference. The reverse of the effect when the sawmill closed.

• Between 200 and 400 construction jobs whilst the project is being built.

• There will be opportunities for local companies to participate in the construction of the project. Just as local company Tobco worked on the New England Solar Farm.

• A Community Benefit fund of $750,000 per annum minimum would be one of the most generous in NSW for the size of the project.

• Rental income for host landholders will mostly be reinvested in their farm businesses and spent in the local community. This will help drought proof their properties and assist all businesses in town. There will be broad direct and indirect economic benefits to the local region over a long timeframe.

• Other towns in NSW close to wind farms like Glen Innes have seen an increase in tourism. Since the development is out of town this would enhance the tourist traffic in Walcha.

The NSW process for the approval of state significant renewable developments requires the EIS to be done in accordance with a number of guidelines. The noise guideline is one of the most stringent in the world and the visual guideline is also one of the most comprehensive anywhere which quantifies the effects of a very difficult topic that is open to much subjective interpretation. From any one location the undulating countryside of Winterbourne masks much of the development. The town of Walcha is surrounded by low hills and since the closest wind turbine to the edge of town is over 5km away it is outside the area of highest visual concerns. Vestas have undertaken extensive studies for the EIS to ensure that the proposed development complies with these requirements and have displayed their results to the community regularly.

As with any large development there will be issues that need to be addressed in the construction phase of the development. As the largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world who has installed and/or constructed over 40 wind projects in Australia, Vestas is well placed to overcome any construction issues that may arise. The transport route has avoided the centre of Walcha by using periphery roads that currently host three large transport and haulage companies.

This project will see hundreds of millions of dollars spent in regional NSW, creating jobs and skills for the future economy.

We urge DPE to approve this project to meet the urgent needs of NSW electricity supply.

Mark Waring
Director
WalchaEnergy

For 15 years my husband and I have been regular visitors and workers in Walcha. We have established long term connections to the community and have recently considered purchasing property in the area with a view to relocating in the near future. The potential impact the Winterbourne wind farm will have on this region has stopped us in our tracks.
We strongly oppose this development for a number of reasons:
1. The environmental impact on native wildlife habitat, in particular the potential destruction of the areas Wedgetail Eagle population.
2. The visual impact for many property owners who have purchased land and built homes whose private and peaceful vistas will be gone forever.
3. The impact to production with the loss of highly valuable farming land and the subsequent loss of income and employment to the area.
4. The imposition on the community for resources, use of roads and most importantly, water needed for construction.
5. The impact on the air space where the proposed wind turbines will be located which has the potential to limit or change the aerial delivery of fertiliser to crops and pastures.
6. The negative impact the wind farm will have to the community by diminishing tourism and confidence in the area as a desirable place to live and invest in housing, business and farming.
The proposal also raises many unanswered questions:
1. What is the benefit for Walcha and the community? This is not clear and appears that the millions of dollars spent for this type of renewable energy will impact many and only benefit a few.
2. The lifetime of the wind turbines, in my view seems too short for the investment, yet the impact will be enormous.
3. When they have reach their end of life what is to become of the turbines, footings and plastics used in their construction? The information around this is not clear.
We share the views of 99% of the Walcha population - we do not want a wind farm. We are not opposed to re-newable energy, but we are strongly opposed to the Winterbourne Wind Farm project for the impact it will have on wildlife, the landscape, farm land and the community without any benefit in return.

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I support the project.

I have lived in the Walcha District all my life and have seen the ups and downs that country life can bring.
There are all the obvious reasons why this project has to go ahead, climate change, meeting our greenhouse gas emission targets and our reliance on fossil fuel power generation to name a few.
The reason I think it should go ahead in Walcha is because a small town like ours needs this kind of financial boost for its ongoing security in the years moving forward. The money that will come into this community will help fund small sporting groups, new infrastructure, community grants and scholarships and will also provide the local council with more money through increased rates for the ongoing maintenance of our roads and parks.
Lastly, I feel as though the whole anti turbine movement in Walcha has been led by half a dozen people who have spread inaccurate information which is aimed at causing hysteria and division within the town. This has caused people to get the wrong impression and have the wrong facts when making up their minds on the project. Thankyou

I am writing this submission in support of the Winterboure Wind Farm Project (SSD-10471) on behalf of Cairnie Grazing Co (ABN: 95151630432).

Cairnie Grazing Co is 1690 ha grazing operation, NNE of the town of Walcha, and is proposed to host wind turbines as part of the project. Our operation is built on grazing sheep for wool with some prime lambs and beef cattle. We know we need diversify our operation, however, our soil types and rainfall (750 mm per annum) limit our ability to expand into large scale beef finishing or prime lamb production.

In good years we can achieve a return of assets managed of about 3%, but as with all farming systems, production is governed by soil type and the weather, i.e., rainfall. Over the past 20 to 30 years, below average rainfall has become the norm and drought years have become more frequent and more severe, resulting in more frequent negative business returns, asset deterioration and substantial debt.

Rent payments offered by the Winterboure Wind Farm are an ideal form of income diversification and will benefit our bottom line by reducing debt and allowing capital investment in land care type projects such as erosion control, tree planting and regeneration.

Indeed, host landowner rent receipts for the whole project (119 turbines) will amount to $3 to $3.5 million dollars per annum alone, which will be a huge boost to the economy of the Walcha LGA, not to mention the direct benefits of more than $310 million in wages and profits during construction and $25 million per year during operation. The renewable energy industry will bring jobs and investment into rural and regional communities resulting in significant economic stimulation.

To mitigate our impact on climate change, we need to reduce fossil fuel electricity generation. By 2025, Liddell and Eraring power stations will both be closed, equating to 30% of the NSW’s current electricity production. To replace the generation capacity of these two plants we will need seven projects the size of Winterbourne Wind farm. Winterbourne Wind will significantly contribute to NSW’s renewable energy targets and will improve rural Australia’s environmental, social and economic future.

I respectfully urge the NSW Government to approve this project as proposed by the developer as soon as possible.

Refer attachment

I am in full support of the Winterbourne Wind Farm and I believe the project must continue.
The project will help everybody in the Walcha community and will support our local population.

I own and live on rural land in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Winterbourne Wind project. I am a primary producer of beef cattle on this property and provide beef for consumption by the Australian public at large. My property is located at 332 Chinnocks Road, Walcha (Moona Plains) and is identified as ‘SR272’ on the maps in the EIS for the Winterbourne Wind project.
I strongly object to the Winterbourne Wind project for the following reasons:

High Health Impact – Physical and Mental Health:
I believe the following issues will affect my physical and mental health:
• Elevated noise during construction.
• Elevated dust during construction.
• Elevated and constant noise and vibration when turbines are in operation.
• Flicker from the blades when turbines are in operation.
• Reduced ability for efficient bushfire control due to aerial water bombing ceasing in the location of turbines. Living in an area that is prone to bushfires, as is much of rural Australia, and with there being at LEAST 1 hour before a firefighting truck can reach our place (giving time for the trucks to be readied then driven to our place – and this is based on experience) it is paramount to have the efficiency of aerial water bombing available. It is mentally disturbing, terrifying actually, to think that the safety of myself, visitors to our place, other residents and our livestock and pets, along with our assets with the most important being our home, will be put in danger due to the introduction of wind turbines. I will live in constant fear and threat and this will, without a doubt, have an extreme negative mental health impact on my wellbeing on a daily basis.
Road Works Prior to, During and After Construction and Extremely Negative Impact from Traffic Congestion:
The Winterbourne Wind project will have an extremely severe and negative impact on the roads in our area, ie the Moona Plains district. These roads are not built for the levels and regularity of the heavy transport that is proposed with the project. Once the roads need repair, this will take time and will increase the time and safety of travel to our nearest available essential supplies and health providers. This will not only be inconvenient, in terms of accessing food and other essential supplies, in an emergency this will put the safety of my life at risk. The congestion created by the slow and wide transport of the various components of the wind turbines and associated machinery needed for the construction and operation of the wind turbines will also add to the risk of the safety and health of both humans and livestock. The Moona Plains Road is narrow – there will be NO access around anything wider than a standard heavy vehicle. The road will be blocked every time, EVERY TIME, a component of each – EACH – wind turbine is transported along Moona Plains Road. Every time – EVERY TIME – this happens, it will be putting both human and livestock lives at risk due to emergency services not being able to maneuver around oversized and heavy ladened vehicles.

Extremely Negative Effect on the Water Supply:
The EIS suggests that the significant level of water required for the construction phase of the project will come from harvestable rights, bores in the area, farm dams or from Walcha Council supply.
• If there is a drought or simply just a dry season during the construction period, where will the water come from for livestock? Who will get priority – livestock, which is the main industry for Walcha, or the construction project?

• If there were to be bushfires in the Walcha LGA during the construction period, which there would undoubtedly be at some stage of the project, where will the water come from to control the bushfires?
There is a limit to the water supply in the Walcha district – just like any other rural area in Australia. The demands on this limited water supply during the construction of the wind turbines will affect:
• The livelihood of primary producers in the district.

• The health of livestock if there is insufficient water available to them.

• The mental health of the residents of Walcha who are alone and elderly and have their garden to keep them active and to support their wellbeing.

• The ability to efficiently control bushfires, increasing the risk of loss of human lives and the lives of thousands of livestock.

• Employment in the Walcha LGA will be adversely affected if the agricultural industry is comprised due to water shortage caused by the construction project. As at Census 2021, 33.8% of the employed people aged 15 years and over in the Walcha LGA work in beef cattle and sheep farming. This is extremely higher (4,728%) than the employed people aged 15 and over in NSW (0.7%) and Australia (0.7%) working in the same industry. Unemployment in Walcha, as at Census 2021, was at 3%, compared to NSW (4.9%) and Australia (5.1%). I am certain that no one in Walcha LGA wants unemployment to increase in the district particularly given the many socio-economic problems that result from higher unemployment.

Reckless Biodiversity Risk Assessment:
Given the garbage written in the EIS, is it a full and real reflection on how it will affect the biodiversity values in our area?
Several species, such as the glossy black cockatoo, little lorikeet, scarlet robin and flame robin are regular visitors to my property and are listed threatened species. Frequently seen glossy black cockatoos and wedge-tailed eagles would particularly be affected by the turbines. The risks of interference by turbines to bird life has been extremely under-estimated in the EIS.

Biodiversity Offset Scheme
This is an absolute joke and disgust. Paying money which gives the developers a right to kill protected and endangered animals and birdlife. This will not ensure the continuance of the protected and endangered animals. Money will not increase these populations. Ironically, it is money that will be killing off these protected and endangered animals and birdlife.

Increased Bush Fire Control Risk:
Water bombing is a widely used and efficient method of bushfire control in our district and in most rural areas of Australia. It is a method of bushfire control that is used worldwide. In some instances, it is the ONLY method of bushfire control, particularly in steep, inaccessible areas such as the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park which is the immediate proximity of the proposed Winterbourne Wind project. If aerial water bombing is stopped due to the wind turbines surrounding our home, it is creating a high risk of loss of lives - not only myself and my wife and neighbours – but also of all of the thousands of livestock in the district. It is also increasing the risk of the loss of our assets including our homes. How is this going to affect the cost of insurance premiums when the insurance companies come to learn of this increased risk?

Knowing that the most efficient method of bushfire control in our area will be no longer allowed will create heightened emotional distress when bushfires start – and they will, they WILL ALWAYS start. Coping with a bushfire in close proximity is difficult enough without knowing that there are inadequate firefighting capabilities in the form of aerial water bombing available. Where we live, there is only one road in and the same road out, with some areas of our property not easily accessible by road therefore aerial water bombing is intrinsic to our safety.

Visual Impact:
The visual impact of the wind turbines, with 22 visible from my home and 6 in the immediate vicinity of my home (SR272) will be soul destroying and heartbreaking. I am yet to find out how many more wind turbines will be visible from my paddock work-place where I spend most daylight hours. With the highest point on my property being 1285 metres above sea level, it is one of the higher points of the Moona Plains district. In the night sky, I can see the lights of houses in Walcha – some 25km in a straight line away. I cannot fathom how detrimental these visual monstrosities will be to my mental health. It is said that in Sydney CBD, there are only 16 buildings over 200 metres. The wind turbines in the Winterbourne Wind project are proposed to be 220 metres. There are 119 wind turbines proposed for the Winterbourne Wind project. Therefore, there are 103 more high structures proposed for the rural Walcha region. This represents 543% more structures over 200m than there are in the Sydney CBD. 543% more – and in a rural, high-yielding agricultural area.

Negative Tourism Impact:
The second most important industry for Walcha is tourism. It is yet to reach its full potential. Walcha has one of the most significant outdoor sculpture galleries in Australia. The natural beauty of the Walcha district in any season is stunning - the open spaces and the night skies are unsurpassable. I am certain that visitors will not flock to Walcha to see the ugliness of the wind turbines inflicted upon the skyline of Walcha. In fact, it will have an extreme negative impact on the future tourism of Walcha and therefore the economy of Walcha and the mental health of the community of Walcha.

The reason for my objection to this proposal is that it will dramatically impact the town and livelihoods of the people that live in it. Visually I will see approximately 70 of the wind turbines from my front patio, the reason for buying land and building here was for the view I don’t want to be looking at turbines and the vegetational impacts it will have eg white towers and bare dirt.Traffic impact in the town will be phenomenal as the amount of heavy vehicles and light vehicles to complete the project on the roads, I don’t know how the roads will hold up to the extra heavy traffic they can’t handle the traffic now. The noise impacts won’t be good listening to the whirring noise of turbines will have health impacts and problems. The way I see it is that the only ones in the town that are for it are the ones that will be financially better off, this project has already started to divide the tight nit community we have.