Volume 1 Objection To The Bodangora Wind Farm MP10_0157 By The Bodangora Wind Farm Awareness Group Chapters 1 - 12 BODANGORA WIND TURBINE AWARENESS GROUP Submission to the Department of Planning & Infrastructure Proposed Bodangora Wind Farm MP10_0157 Bodangora Wind Farm Awareness Group August 2012 This document contains the objection to the Proposed Bodangora Wind Farm MP10_0157 by the Bodangora Wind Turbine Awareness Group to the Department of Planning & Infrastructure in regards to the proponent Bodangora Wind Farm Pty Ltd under Infigen Energy. 1.0.1 OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSAL August 6th, 2012 The Director General Major Development Assessment Department of Planning and Infrastructure GPO Box 39 SYDNEY NSW 2001 Dear Sir, Re: Proposed Bodangora Wind Farm, Wellington Local Government Area (MP10-0157) The Bodangora Wind Turbine Awareness (BWTAG) is comprised of a large group of concerned residents of the Wellington Local Government Area, including all neighbouring residences to the proposed Bodangora Wind Farm. We object to the Proposed Bodangora Wind Farm (“the proposal”) in the strongest possible terms. We believe this development is totally inappropriate. This submission details our objections. The BWTAG requests that representatives of the group be given the opportunity to speak at the Planning Assessment Commission hearing related to this proposal. Yours faithfully, Lyn Jarvis CHAPTER 2 EXPLICIT CAUTIONARY NOTICE EXPLICIT CAUTIONARY NOTICE TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR WIND TURBINE ASSESSMENTS, APPROVALS AND DEVELOPMENT Specifically Directors of Wind Energy Companies, Publicly Elected Officials from Federal, State and Local Government, and Bureaucrats in Relevant Departments BE ADVISED that, as a result of information gathered by the Bodangora Wind Turbine Awareness Group, from the clinical and acoustic research available nationally and internationally, serious medical conditions have been identified in people living, working, or visiting within 10 kilometres of operating wind turbine developments. The onset of these conditions would appear to correspond directly with the operation of wind turbines. We remind those in positions of responsibility for the engineering, investment and planning decisions about project and turbine siting that their primary responsibility is to ensure that developments cause no harm to adjacent residents; and, if there is any possibility of any such harm, then the project should be re-engineered or cancelled. To ignore existing evidence by continuing the current practice of siting turbines close to homes represents a breach of the duty of care, and thus attracts grave liability. THE PROPOSED BODANGORA WIND FARM Figure 1. Shows the typical landscape across the project area including Land Owner A, B, D and House 5 2.1.0 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Acknowledgments The following people contributed or assisted towards this submission on the Environmental Assessment for the Bodangora Wind Farm by Bodangora Wind Farm Pty Ltd, Infigen Energy. Members of the Bodangora Wind Turbine Awareness Group include: Lyn Jarvis Carol Conn David Babicci Vicky Babicci Joe Mason Kristy Mason John Bosanquet Sandy Bosanquet Linda Lyons Nicholas Lyons Rob Sutherland Mary Sutherland Tom Green Sue Green Ross Conn Robert Jarvis Michael Lyons Kate Jarvis Patina Schneider Toby Martin Andrew Birch Consultants and Specialist Comments. John Schneider Dr. Sarah Laurie Philip Raskall Steven Cooper L Huson & Associates Pty Ltd CHAPTER 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION TITLE CHAPTER 1 TITLE PAGE - 1.0.1 Objection To The Proposal CHAPTER 2 EXPLICIT CAUTIONARY NOTICE 2.1.0 Acknowledgements CHAPTER 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 4 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 5 JUSTIFICATION, DGR 5.1.0 Summary Of Objections 5.2.0 Introduction 5.3.0 Duty Of Care Regarding Wellington Inmates, The Elderly And The Disabled. - 5.3.1 Bodangora Wind Farm Pty, Ltd, Infigen Energy And Its Duty Of Care - 5.3.2 The Precautionary Principle 5.4.0 Context For Wind Energy Development - 5.4.1 Global Context - 5.4.2 National Context - 5.4.3 State Context 5.5.0 Determination Of Project Location 5.6.0 Land Values 5.7.0 The Overseas Experience Also Affirms The Decrease In Land Values. 5.8.0 Specific Comments Regarding The Bodangora Wind Farm Proposal: CHAPTER 6 CONSULTATION DGR - 6.0.1 Introduction To The Ea 6.1.0 Summary Of Objections 6.2.0 Process 6.3.0 Index Of Consultation Documents. - 6.3.1 Media Coverage By The Proponent 6.4.0 Bodangora Wind Farm – Consultation Summary. - 6.4.1 Landowners: - 6.4.2 Community: - 6.4.3 The Proponent Offered: - 6.4.4 Council: - 6.4.5 Contractors: 6.5.0 Attachment E – Consultation Documents - 6.5.1 Reply To Above Email 6.6.0 Neighbour Consultation - 6.6.1 During Ongoing Project Design 6.7.0 Summary Of Findings 6.8.0 Community Consultation Meetings - 6.8.1 Communication Log 6.9.0 Community Consultation Committee Environmental Assessment Hard Copies 6.10.0 Wellington Community Holds Its Own Public Meeting 6.11.0 Property Of Wudina,- Located Inside The Development Area. Appendix 1 Community Survey CHAPTER 7 VISUAL IMPACTS 7.1.0 Summary Of Objections 7.2.0 Visual Impact 7.3.0 Demographic Profile 7.4.0 Visual Influence & Zone Of Visual Influence 7.5.0 Zone Of Visual Influence (ZVI) 7.6.0 Two Main Sources Of Error In Any ZVI. 7.7.0 Landscape And Visual Impact Assessment - 7.7.1 Landscape Character - 7.7.2 Summary Of Landscape Character Values 7.8.0 View Point Analysis - 7.8.1 Examples 1: - 7.8.2 Example 2. 7.9.0 Planning Context 7.10.0 Mitigation 7.11.0 Visual Amenity 7.12.0 View Point Selection Process 7.13.0 Failure To Assess All Dwellings 7.14.0 Process Of View Point Analysis - 7.14.1 Example 1 - 7.14.2 Example 2. 7.15.0 Photomontages 7.16.0 View Point Locations 7.17.0 Visual Effects & Assessment 7.18.0 The Timing Of The Development Of The Draft Guidelines 7.19.0 The Noise Impacts Of Wind Farms 7.20.0 The Proposed Use Of The Precautionary Principle In Respect Of Health Claims 7.21.0 The Inclusion Of The Impact Of Wind Farm Developments On Surrounding Property Values As A Relevant Assessment Issue 7.22.0 The Inclusion Of Potential Cumulative Impact Assessment 7.23.0 Property Values, Employment Opportunities And Farm Values - 7.23.1 Overseas Studies - 7.23.2 Compensation And Property Guarantees - 7.23.3 Committee View 1 - 7.23.4 Employment Opportunities - 7.23.5 Committee View 2 - 7.23.6 Farm Income - 7.24.7 Committee View 3 7.24.0 Shadow Flicker 7.25.0 Blade Glint And Reflectivity 7.26.0 Night Lighting 7.27.0 Cumulative Impacts & Cumulative Visual Impacts - 7.27.1 Cumulative Visual Impacts - 7.27.2 Cumulative Effects 7.28.0 Existing Development In Regain 7.29.0 Mitigation Methods 7.30.0 Conclusion CHAPTER 8 FLORA AND FAUNA DGR 8.1.0 Summary Of Objections 8.2.0 Flora - 8.2.1 Project Area. 8.3.0 Presence Of Threatened Flora 8.4.0 Fauna - 8.4.1 Koalas - 8.4.2 Wedged Tailed Eagle 8.5.0 Habitat For Native Animals - 8.5.1 Tree Hollows 8.6.0 Threatened Species Within The Locality As Recorded - 8.6.1 Superb Parrot - 8.6.2 Spotted-Tailed Quoll - 8.6.3 Yellow-Bellied Sheath-Tail Bat - 8.6.4 Glossy Black Cockatoo 8.7.0 Impact Of Proposal - 8.7.1 General Impact Assessment - 8.7.2 Perching Places - 8.7.3 Night Lighting 8.8.0 Threatened Species: - 8.8.1 Plants 8.9.0 Threatened Species Animals - 8.9.1 Superb Parrot: - 8.9.2 Grey-Crowned Babbler: 8.10.0 Environmental Protection And Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 8.11.0 Mitigation References Flora And Fauna Appendix A Flora And Fauna Appendix B CHAPTER 9 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, WATER AND SOIL. DGR 9.1.0 Summary Of Objections 9.2.0 Air Quality 9.3.0 Geology And Soils - 9.3.1 Soil Vulnerability 9.5.0 Project Area And Drainage - 9.5.1 Water Drainage 9.6.0 Water Supply Requirements - 9.6.1 Water Supply And Surface Flow - 9.6.2 Water Storage 9.7.0 Environmental Management Of Hazardous Substances - 9.7.1 Erosion And Sediment Controls 9.8.0 Water Distribution And Use 9.9.0 Soils CHAPTER 10 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT DGR 10.1.0 Summary Of Objections 10.2.0 Construction 10.3.0 Nature Of Delivery Vehicles 10.4.0 Road Network Imports 10.5.0 On-Site Road Upgrades CHAPTER 11 HERITAGE DGR 11.1.0 Summary Of Objections 11.2.0 Non Aboriginal Heritage 11.3.0 Sandy Hollow To Maryvale Railway Line 11.4.0 Kaiser Mine 11.5.0 Historic Tree At “Glen Mitchell” 11.6.0 Survey Area 11.7.0 Summary CHAPTER 12 ABORIGINAL HERITAGE DGR 12.1.0 Summary Of Objections: 12.2.0 Heritage Context. 12.3.0 Field Survey Results 12.4.0 Recorded Heritage Places 12.5.0 EA Recorded Field Survey Results References: CHAPTER 13 HAZARDS, PHYSICAL SAFETY, BUSHFIRES & AIR SAFETY DGR 13.1.0 Summary Of Objections 13.2.0 Tower Failure 13.3.0 Blade Throw 13.4.0 Ice Throw 13.5.0 Potential Risks 13.6.0 Wind Farm Separation And Public Safety - 13.6.1 Public Safety - 13.6.2 Public Safety: Property Zones - 13.6.3 Public Safety: Public Roads 13.7.0 Bushfire 13.8.0 Bushfire Management Plan - 13.8.1 Fire Prone 13.9.0 Structural Makeup Of The Turbine And Fire Risk 13.10.0 Lighting Strike 13.11.0 Public Safety 13.12.0 Terrain/Topography 13.13.0 Aviation Appendix 1. Aerial Agricultural Association Of Australia National Areal Fire Fighting Strategy 13.14.0 Air Safety 13.15.0 Nearby Aerodromes And Aircraft Landing Areas - 13.15.1 Siting Of Turbines - 13.15.2 Aviation Hazard Lighting - 13.15.3 Wind Turbine Numbers 13.16.0 Turbulence 13.17.0 Weather 13.18.0 Radar Interference 13.19.0 Aviation Bushfire Fighting 13.20.0 Airport Use - 13.20.1 Private Use - 13.20.2 Commercial Use - 13.20.3 Service Aircraft Use - 13.20.4 Government Use 13.21.0 Future Use Of Airport Appendix 2.