|
ENERGYCO > TRANSMISSION LINES
|
|
|
We continue to question ..
|
|
|
|
Voice for Walcha continue to question EnergyCo regarding the design of the New England Renewable Energy Zone Network Infrastructure Project – the powerlines and hubs that are required to service the New England REZ and transfer electricity from Queensland to Tasmania.
It is very clear from the current EnergyCo interactive map https://caportal.com.au/energyco/rez that the plan is outdated and based on old plans by Walcha Energy to develop 10+ wind farms around Walcha. When you zoom into this map, you can see that there is a very expensive diversion of the powerline to the central-south hub (located north of the Oxley Hwy at the top of the Walcha Rd Hill). This hub which is a massive 330kV/500kV hub is currently being built for a single project – Ruby Hills which may never be built. This hub is part of stage 1 of the REZ project.
|
|
|
|
EnergyCo have been unable to supply an image of what this hub will look like but they have confirmed that a 500kV hub may occupy a total land area of around 75-150 ha (compared with a 330kV hub which occupies 10-15ha).
|
|
|
|
|
|
The size of the proposed hub in the Walcha LGA is beyond anything you will be expecting. Unfortunately, there is no where we can point anyone to see what a hub of this size look like. Energy Co have not been able to describe anything in NSW that is of this type and size.
|
|
|
|
Waiting game ..
With Winterbourne Wind bogged deep in the planning process, there is not a lot for the community to do but watch and wait. The time for community involvement in this process is after the project is referred to the Independent Planning Commission (IPC). Given the multiple delays, this seems a fair way off.
The response to submissions for the amendment report were due on 28th February but, once again, that deadline has come and gone with no report from the developer. We are led to believe that an extension was requested until the end of June 2025, yet the planning department has granted them until the end of April only. This has not yet been confirmed on the planning portal.
We understand it may take until the middle of the year for the issues raised by the various government agencies to be addressed and this report completed. Having failed to meet yet another deadline, Winterbourne Wind have failed again to give us confidence that they are a trusted developer to operate in Walcha. Much of their mitigation of impacts relies on delivering on commitments in a timely and full manner. This is part of being a good corporate citizen, and this has not been demonstrated BEFORE project determination.
|
|
|
|
|
If an organisation is unable to properly deal with these requirements BEFORE determination, they will be even less motivated to deal with them properly AFTER approval.
|
|
|
|
|
The issues raised by government agencies to the Winterbourne Wind Amendment report, which vindicate many of our concerns, are numerous, and serious. We have summarised and highlighted these agency concerns in a letter to CIP last month.
|
|
|
|
|
- Winterbourne project still has significant biodiversity issues that need to be resolved. The biodiversity division has identified unacceptable impacts to birds and bats with most of the turbines causing very high risk as a result of being located too close to bird and bat breeding habitat.
- The route for over-sized and over-mass vehicles has changed and the project will now be using Thunderbolt’s way. A new road will need to be constructed from the New England Highway to Thunderbolts Way just south of Uralla. Nearly all the roads that will be used by these vehicles from Uralla out to the project will need to undergo upgrading works before construction of the project can begin, in order to carry the oversize over mass vehicles.
- There is no strategy for employment housing to mitigate skyrocketing rents in Walcha.
- Construction period increased from 30 months to 52 months
- OSOM vehicles likely to travel on Thunderbolts Way during morning commute times.
- No decommissioning plan involving a bond.
|
|
|
There is still much work to do to mitigate or deal with these impacts.
|
|
|
|
Independent Planning Commission: After the response to submissions has been lodged by the developer, if there are not significant amendments, the DPHI (Planning department) will make their recommendations, and the project will be referred to the IPC for determination. This will involve an independent commission visiting the area and calling for presentations from anyone who is interested in making comment.
This is the time for the community to have their say, and we will be providing support for anyone who wishes to do so. This was a process that happened very quickly for Thunderbolt Wind Farm and for Hills of Gold Wind Farm, and so we need to be prepared and ready to present.
|
|
|
|
|
Given the hurdles and challenges that Winterbourne has in front of it, as pointed out by many in our community and vindicated by government agency advice in their own submissions, final approval may not mean construction is a given.
|
|
|
Winterbourne will undoubtedly be challenged in the Land and Environment Court - if the project is ever given a determination to be built.
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is an exercise that is only required if the project is given consent, following the IPC process, but one that we are fully committed to prosecute, if the majority of impacts (social, economic and biodiversity) are not adequately mitigated by the developer. It is fair to say that we don’t have much confidence of the developers intent, or ability, to adequately achieve these outcomes.
|
|
|
|
|
Winterbourne Wind will have representatives from Vestas as well as consultants at the show. Winterbourne continue to tell the DPHI (planning department) and our community that they have majority support in the community for this project. We do not believe this is the case. It would be worthwhile to visit Winterbourne at the show as it is likely to be your only opportunity to see displays and talk to representatives from Vestas – make sure you communicate your support or objection to the project and have it registered.
|
|
|
|
RUBY HILLS WIND FARM > NOW SKYE RIDGE WIND FARM
|
|
|
Questioning the viability and bankability ..
We have, from the very early stages of the project, questioned the viability and bankability of the Ruby Hills project. Given the questionable interest from key landholders, leading to the change of name of the project, this adds to the vague messaging from Origin about moving to divest themselves of wind projects.
|
|
|
|
|
Origin's chief executive, Frank Calabria, has said that the company will reduce its ownership of wind and solar generation assets.
|
|
|
|
|
From the AFR, Origin Energy chief executive Frank Calabria says the country’s largest electricity utility will minimise the company’s ownership of wind and solar generation assets as part of a strategy to boost investor returns.
There is a sobering reality for wind farm hosts. With an average of 9.5 years taken to approve a Wind Farm in NSW, as stated in a Clean Energy Investment Report, (given their complex approval process, and their excessive range of impacts), you would be brave to consider an open-ended caveat on your property for that length of time.
For Ruby Hills Wind Farm / Skye Ridge Wind Farm, 9.5 years of approval process, plus 5 years of build time leaves the property owners with no income or certainty until 2040.
During this time, the saleability of your property, and the banks appetite for mortgage if you wanted to re-finance is compromised.
|
|
|
|
|
That’s a long time to be certain that you will not be changing plans with property ownership.
|
|
|
|
|
https://reneweconomy.com.au/bank-refuses-mortgage-for-tree-c...
This is an issue that many are waking up to, and good advice can and should be sought.
The expected scoping report (promised for early 2024 after two earlier delays) has not materialised, and there appears to be little movement by Origin to progress this project, as far as we can tell.
|
|
|
|
|
How can you help?
If you haven't done this yet please click below to sign up, even if you are also a subscriber and tick the box stating ..
"I support the actions of Voice for Walcha, in their communications and activity, through my membership"
To show your support, and to strengthen our influence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
