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Make a EIS Submission
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Resources

Source of reference material, documents and links to relevant sites. This page is being continuely added to as information comes to hand. If you have something you'd like to add to this resource page please contact us directly.

Quick Links

How to make an EIS Submission

Relevant sites links

Important contact details

Common terms and glossary

Flyers and marketing material

In a nutshell, a developer needs to produce an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) in order to satisfy the Planning Department. This EIS is submitted to the Planning Department and then released for public display for 28 days.

If there is a significant number of relevant objections to the project, the Planning Department will make a decision if referral to the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) is required.

The aim of our efforts is to achieve this referral to the IPC, to force the developer to address the concerns of the community.

If you are interested in the detail on the State Significant Development (SSD) process, go to Understanding the State Significant Development Process 

How to lodge a submission online
How to send a submission via the post
Tips for writing a good submission

Don't know where to start?

Lodging your submission may seem a little confusing at first glance - so here are some simple steps to follow to make the process a little less overwhelming.

If your still confused as to where to start, don't hesistate to contact us directly.

Note: We have used the Winterbourne Wind Farm project an example of how to use and set up the NSW Planning Portal.

Download PDF Version

1

Go to the NSW Department of Planning Portal

Planning Portal Link

Click for Planning Portal link

2

You will have to create an account if you don’t already have one and this will require you to enter your personal details and email address.

Add your details here

3

You can manage your submission from the dashboard by clicking on the project

4

OR . . .

Find the project using the search bar and typing WINTERBOURNE WIND

5

This will bring up the State Significant Projects page with WINTERBOURNE WIND FARM click on this project

Click here

6

Now click on MAKE A SUBMISSION

Click here

7

Make a PERSONAL submission and you can also make a further submission if you have a business.

Click the correct submission type

8

The you can then continue with entering the details of your submission whether it be OPPOSED, SUPPORT or a COMMENT on aspects of the project.

You will have to choose between “Support”, “Comment”, or “Object”. If you want to halt or have the project modified, we will need to have a significant number of objections registered. If you simply desire a modification to the project, an “Objection” does not mean that you want to shut the project down, it simply means that you “object” to the project in its current form, and your comments will note where you would like modification to be made.

Postal Submissions

Where this isn’t possible, you may send a paper-based submission by post or hand-deliver it to one of the department's offices.

1

To ensure the department receives your submission, both the submission and mailing envelope must be addressed to the nominated contact person or team listed on the project page. Submissions for the Winterbourne Wind Project must be addressed to:

Attn: IWAN DAVIES
Planning and Assessment Department of Planning and Environment
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta NSW 2124

IMPORTANT!

If you choose to send a paper-based submission and it’s not addressed to the nominated contact person or team, the submission will not be received by the department and will be returned to sender.

2

Your submission MUST include:

  • Your full name and address (provide this information in a separate cover letter if you want your personal details to be withheld from publication)
  • Name of the application and the application number - WINTERBOURNE WIND FARM SSD-10471
  • A statement on whether you support or object to the proposal or are simply providing comments (preferably in the title or first paragraph of the submission)
  • The reasons why you support or object to the proposal
  • A declaration of any reportable political donations made in the previous two years (for further information about political donations and to obtain disclosure statements, visit the Donations and gift disclosure page).

Your submission must reach us before the close of the exhibition period.

Consider the following

When compiling your own letter, consider any of the issues or concerns that have been raised in our community.

Alternatively, consider your own circumstances and how the project will impact on you, your family, your community, your land, and your future. Consider Social Impacts, economic impacts and environmental impacts.

A good submission should ....

  • Introduce yourself or your group, acknowledge the opportunity to make a submission and note any relevant work you or your group has done.
  • Outline your key concerns and focus your discussion on these. It is not necessary to address the whole proposal - choose the parts that are most relevant to you.
  • If possible, make recommendations. Make strong clear statements, e.g., ‘the proposal should be amended to include a requirement that…’
  • Use evidence or case studies or stories to support your arguments and recommendations. Give specific examples that draw on your knowledge and experience. If you can, collect other stories that support your argument from others in the community. You can also draw on the work of others, for example scientific publications, government documents, or the work of other organisations.
  • Don’t forget to set out the aspects of the proposal that you think are good. There may be other stakeholders who want to get rid of things you think are positive, so it is important to point out what you support.
  • Always give details about how you arrived at your assertions. For example, instead of saying: 'The golf course proposal is outrageous. It will pollute the river.' You could consider saying something like: 'Irrigating the lawns of the 50-hectare golf course, together with using fertiliser and herbicides, is likely to result in changes to the water table, nutrient pollution, and an adverse impact on the red gum forest next to the land where the golf course is proposed'.
  • We have a link to a very worthwhile guideline for writing a submission, please follow this Writing Submissions, Letters or Petitions 

IMPORTANT - Make sure your submission must reach the Planning Deptartment before the close of the exhibition period.

Still need help getting started? We can help.

Contact us for ideas, support in compiling a letter, or for support in the process.

Government

Projects

Developers

Government Reps

Member for Tamworth

Kevin Anderson MP

Member for Northern Tablelands

Adam Marshall MP

Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo)

Mike Young
Executive Director Planning & Communities

Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo)

Matthew Sprott
Director – Planning and Policy

Developers

Winterbourne Wind

Doug Landfear
Project Developer at Vestas

  • State Significant Developments (SSD)

Energy generating projects (including wind and solar developments) are classified as state significant developments. SSD are deemed to have state significance due to the size, economic value, or potential impacts. They are assessed at a state level rather than the local council level.

State significant projects are assessed by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. The main steps in this assessment are shown in the following diagram from State Significant Development Guidelines, November 2021. The EIS is the Environmental Impact Statement which is due to be released in the short term. Submissions made by the community in the 28 days following its release are one of the most significant ways individuals and community groups can have a voice in the assessment process. To receive notifications on the Winterbourne Wind Farm planning process from the planning department, go to https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/winterbourne-wind-farm and click on Notify Me.

  • EnergyCo

Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo), is the statutory body responsible for developing and co-ordinating the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. It is the department responsible for planning in the 5 REZ’s (Renewable Energy Zones) – Central-West Orana, New England, South West, Hunter -Central Coast and Illawarra regions. EnergyCo operates under the direction of the NSW energy minister, Matthew Kean.

  • AEMO

Australian Energy Market Operator manages electricity and gas systems and markets across Australia. They do not have capacity to over-rule or control generation, only how the energy is shifted around the states.

  • What is an EIS

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a document prepared to describe the effects for proposed activities on the environment. “Environment,” in this case, is defined as the natural and physical environment and the relationship of people with that environment. This means that the “environment” considered in an EIS includes land, water, air, structures, living organisms, environmental values at the site, and the social, cultural, and economic aspects. An “impact” is a change in consequence that results from an activity. Impacts can be positive or negative or both. An EIS describes impacts, as well as ways to “mitigate” impacts. To “mitigate” means to lessen or remove negative impacts. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, is a document that describes the impacts on the environment as a result of a proposed action. It also describes impacts of alternatives as well as plans to mitigate the impacts.

Results of the Survey to the Walcha Community Nov22
Presentation to Walcha Council – Oct 22
Survey to the Walcha Community
A4 Cumulative Effect Flyer – Walcha Area
A3 Cumulative Effect Flyer – New England Area
Community Forum Brochure

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