Collector Update

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER | NO.13 | APRIL 2018

A RATCH-Australia Project Where we’re at

RATCH-Australia is building readiness to commence construction on the Collector Wind Farm by the end of this year.

While we are not yet certain we will proceed because there are a number of contractual and commercial matters that still need to be finalised, we are ramping up our eorts.

We hope to be able to conclude all necessary preparations so that work can commence in 2018 on installing the 55 wind turbines with generating capacity of approximately 200MW.

2 COLLECTOR WIND FARM UPDATE Pre-construction activities We have a number of activities Vestas will supply and install 55 of their underway such as project design proven Vestas V117 wind turbines in work, site surveys and preparation of accordance with the approved layout. documents in response to approval conditions. We hope to finalise the required contracts over the next six months so construction This includes preparing information for work can begin on site before Upper Lachlan Shire Council on the upgrade the end of this year. required for Lerida Road South.

We are already working with wind turbine supplier Vestas on the project, progressing preliminary design of the layout, including access tracks and associated electrical cabling.

Pictured: Construction activities at Australian Windfarms Construction activities Construction activities are likely to Other initial activities will include take 18 to 20 months. establishment of construction management facilities, and the construction of an internal The initial construction activities will include road to allow access to site of the project’s upgrades along Lerida Road South, from the substation located between the existing intersection with the Hume Highway, past the transmission lines at the northern end of site’s main entrance (which is about 2km along the site. this road), to a point approximately 6km from the Hume Highway (as required by the project No construction tra c will be permitted approval). along the Collector-Gunning Rd.

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER | NO.13 | APRIL 2018 3 Project Approval

In July 2016, the NSW Planning and Assessment Commission* made final a determination to approve our modification application and confirmed a number of conditions of approval under which the Collector Wind Farm can be constructed and operated, to eectively manage and minimise impacts.

In summary, they included:

• refining the site’s layout (roads, electrical cabling, project buildings); • increasing the blade length of the turbines by 5m, within the existing overall height limit; • adjusting approval conditions for biodiversity osetting; and • adjusting the noise-related approval conditions to allow a ‘background noise + 5 dB(A)’ limit consistent with NSW Government policy and other similar wind farm projects.

The turbine locations now are approved, as We are currently in discussions with the defined in the project approval, and Ratch must Department of Planning and construct the turbines within 100m of these Environment about the extent and detail locations. of any such modification, and will share that information once the planning Ratch has been advised that an additional process has been clarified. Any such modification application may be required in modification application would need to response to further changes to the design of the be undertaken over the next couple of connection point at the northern end of the site. months.

* Full details of the approval conditions, the Department’s assessment and recommendations can be found on the Department of Planning and Environment’s website - www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au

4 COLLECTOR WIND FARM UPDATE The Community Consultative Committee

The Collector Wind Farm Community Consultative Committee, known as the Collector Wind Farm Forum, was established by Ratch in line with the Draft NSW Planning Guidelines Wind Farms, December 2011 and meets quarterly.

Membership comprises an independent chairperson, local community members, a representative from Upper Lachlan Shire Council, and employees of Ratch.

The Forum acts as a community advisory body to represent the interests of the wider community and help inform Ratch of community interest and feedback on the Collector project.

In particular, the Forum has been heavily involved in developing the framework for the administration of the community funds that will flow from the wind farm project.

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER | NO.13 | APRIL 2018 5 Community Enhancement Fund

As part of the project proposal, Ratch committed to creating an annual $200,000 community fund to support local projects in the Collector region.

This commitment has been enshrined in the Accordingly, Ratch negotiated with all project approval, requiring a Community stakeholders to agree to a novel fund Enhancement Fund (CEF) to be established as proposal that will share the funding part of the project. between the Council s355 Committee and a Collector community-managed The funds will be available for the life of the trust fund. project and can be used for local community projects such as equipment purchases, facility The community-managed trust fund is an construction, renovation or rehabilitation additional fund that Ratch has agreed to projects, or new programs that will enhance the commit additional funds towards. The community's quality of life and wellbeing. fund will receive $80,000* in the first year and $60,000* in each of the subsequent Under the terms of the planning approval, the years throughout the (approximate 25 CEF has to be managed by a group such as a year) life of the project. Section 355 committee* to ensure there is sound governance in its management and distribution. If the Collector community supports the In line with this, and consistent with other wind creation of this proposed farm projects in the region, Upper Lachlan Shire community-managed trust fund, Ratch will Council expressed its intention to take carriage work with the community to establish the of and manage the CEF. trust, contributing additional funds to bring the annual community fund to a The Forum, with strong broader community total of $240,000 per year for the life of support, expressed a strong preference for the project. community management of the fund (rather than Council) via other potential structures that comply with the Section 355 governance (CCC minutes documenting these requirements. The Forum firmly believed this discussions are all available online approach to be in the best interests of the documenting these discussions at Collector community. www.collectorwindfarmforum.com.au)

Ratch and the Forum are now seeking further feedback *Under Section 355 of the Local Government Act 1993, from the community to support this idea for the specific Councils can delegate some Collector community-managed trust fund and that there of their functions to Committees. Councils may will be community members willing to manage it. use this delegation to appoint members of the community to manage We are also seeking your feedback on how you would facilities or functions through a Committee of like to see the fund managed and used. management.

6 COLLECTOR WIND FARM UPDATE Upcoming workshop about the proposed community-managed trust fund

It’s your fund, tell us if you want it and how you would like it managed and used.

Ratch and the Forum are keen to hear ideas from Thursday 17 May 6.30pm – 9.00pm community groups and members in the local area OR Saturday 19 May 9.30am – 12.00pm as to whether you support the community- OR managed trust fund concept, how to structure and Saturday 19 May 2.30pm – 5.00pm manage it, who the community would like as its Trustee, and how the money should be used. We will choose the time based on the response we get from you about the time most people For example, the full amount of the fund could be can attend. spent each year on improving local facilities, or it could be retained to build up a larger investment Please let us know which day and time suits that generates a perpetual income over the long you best. term to be used for a major project later on. We invite you to be part of this Please RSVP important discussion. by emailing [email protected] phoning 02 8913 9400 We are planning to hold a community workshop at or go online to www.collectorwindfarm.com.au the Collector Hall in May to discuss the community-managed trust fund concept. We are For those who RSVP, we will be in touch in proposing three possible days and times to hold early May to confirm the workshop time the workshop.

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER | NO.13 | APRIL 2018 7 About RATCH-Australia

RATCH-Australia is an independent power producer that owns a portfolio of wind farms and gas fired power stations with an installed capacity of more than 1,000 MW.

RATCH's operating wind farms include (Victoria), (), and Starfish Wind Farm (South Australia).

In addition to the Collector Wind Farm, the and the Collinsville Solar Farm (Queensland) are currently under construction.

RATCH's head oce is located in Sydney with a regional oce located in Brisbane.

Mount Emerald Wind Farm Windy Hill Wind Farm Collinsville Solar

Brisbane oce

Kwinana Power Station Sydney Oce Kemerton Power Station Collector Wind Farm Starfish Hill Wind Farm Toora Wind Farm

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.collectorwindfarm.com.au

Project managers: Anthony Yeates, phone (02) 8913 9407, Neil Weston, phone (02) 8913 9406 Or contact us by email at: [email protected]