Winterbourne Wind has lodged a Development Application with Walcha Council for what it describes as an “upgrade” to the Walcha Caravan Park.
Despite this description, the proposal is clearly intended to function as construction workers accommodation for the wind farm project. This has been publicly acknowledged by Winterbourne on social media and in discussions with the Department of Planning.
However, the application is currently being assessed by Council as a caravan park expansion.
We do not object or even have an opinion on the commercial transaction between the current owners of the park and the potential new owners. The only thing we are encouraging comments on is the planning process and the appropriateness of a workers camp in town.
Submissions on this Development Application close 27 March.
Submissions must be in writing and addressed to the general manager and contain the name and address of the person making the submission.
It is extremely important that community members lodge submissions to Council outlining the planning impacts of this proposal.
Submissions can be emailed to either ...
Stephen Parry
General Manager, Walcha Council
PO Box 2, Walcha 2354
Issues that can be raised in submissions
Submissions are most effective when they focus on planning matters that Council is legally required to consider.
Key issues include:
Loss of Walcha’s main caravan park for tourism
If the facility is largely occupied by construction workers, Walcha will effectively lose its primary caravan park for visitors. This will have a direct economic impact on local tourism, events and businesses.
Loss of short-term worker accommodation
The caravan park currently provides accommodation for visiting trades, contractors, agricultural workers, shearers, health professionals, teachers and other essential workers.
If the park is occupied by construction workers for extended periods, this accommodation will no longer be available. This will directly impact existing industries and services that rely on short-term workforce access.
Loss of camping and caravan sites
The updated design removes the public amenities block and all camping and caravan sites.
Population density and zoning impacts
The proposal introduces a significant concentration of temporary population into an R1 Low Density Residential zone that was not designed for this level of accommodation density or intensity of use.
Council must consider whether this scale of development is appropriate in a residential area.
Amenity impacts
The proposal will result in increased traffic, parking demand, noise, lighting and activity levels affecting nearby residents.
Planning pathway
Community members may also wish to raise concerns about whether a large construction workforce accommodation facility is appropriately being assessed as a caravan park expansion.
In other news ...
IPC Decision Process
Contary to some misinformation being spread in the community, the Winterbourne Wind Farm project HAS NOT been approved. This is a lengthy process that the Department of Planning is working its way through, and may still take months before we see any movement here on the street.
As many of you know, the Winterbourne Wind Farm project will be determined by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC). This pathway was triggered because there were well over 50 public objections to the project, as well as an objection from Uralla Council.
The key point for the community to understand is that once the IPC makes its decision, there is no right of appeal on the planning merits of that decision — for either the community or the proponent. If the project is approved, it cannot be appealed by objectors. If it is rejected, Winterbourne also cannot appeal the decision.
This means the IPC process is effectively the final opportunity for community concerns to be formally considered.
The process from here is:
- The NSW Department of Planning will complete its assessment of the project.
- The Department will prepare an Assessment Report and recommendation to the IPC.
- The IPC will hold a public hearing before making its determination.
The public hearing will be the only opportunity for members of the community to present their concerns or support directly to the decision-makers. We strongly encourage anyone with concerns about the project to consider speaking at that hearing when it is announced.
Voice for Walcha will notify members as soon as the hearing dates are confirmed.
