Vestas are drilling test bores to locate water on the project site.
With a project appetite of 200ML (conservative estimate), this equates to around 30 times the average annual consumption of a livestock property in Walcha.
We are concerned about the impact on neighbouring water resources.
Community Benefit Fund
(VPA or Voluntary Planning Agreement)
This has not yet been signed off by both parties, but Vestas has described this as $1mill at start date, then $750 annually.
We are concerned about the security of this arrangement, and would prefer to see an up-front payment, as per recently approved projects, (Yanco Delta etc.)
As a comment, we still concerned about the concept of a bucket of money, being lobbied for by community groups, changing the culture of a capable and independent community, with self-sufficient sporting and community groups. Is it a gift, or a curse?
Why is an upfront sum so important?
Security of payment. It is forthcoming immediately and can be used to fund projects, with confidence.
For example, income from a term deposit could be used to fund a number of permanent staff at Riverview if the Council take over this facility.
This cannot be done with certainty, with payments that are unsecured from a developer that is 3rd or 4th in line in the ownership of the project.
We have been unable to meet with Origin Energy at this stage, but hope to in the next few weeks, to understand their motivations, timelines and intentions etc.
We understand that staff from Walcha Energy have been retained as the community engagement team. Will anything change?
After the 4th delay, we are expecting to see the Scoping Report for Ruby Hills “at the end of the quarter”.
