Development Application Response to Verbal Submissions 10 December 2018 Contents 1. General ............................................................................................................................................ 5 1.1 Quality of application documentation .................................................................................... 5 1.2 Impact of project on adjoining zones ..................................................................................... 6 2. Design .............................................................................................................................................. 8 2.1 Confirmation of WTG dimensions ........................................................................................... 8 2.2 Height of turbines ................................................................................................................. 10 2.3 Hydrogen production facility ................................................................................................ 11 2.4 Micro-siting & detailed design .............................................................................................. 11 3. Operations .................................................................................................................................... 12 3.1 Communications interference .............................................................................................. 12 3.1.1 Radio Signal Losses (in general) .................................................................................... 12 3.1.2 Television ...................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.3 NBN Wireless Broadband .............................................................................................. 16 3.1.4 Mobile Phone ................................................................................................................ 18 3.1.5 AM & FM Radio ............................................................................................................. 22 3.1.6 Satellite Services ........................................................................................................... 24 3.1.7 GPS ................................................................................................................................ 24 3.1.8 Bureau of Meteorology Radar Systems ........................................................................ 25 3.1.9 Radiation Concerns ....................................................................................................... 27 3.1.10 Council Comments ........................................................................................................ 27 3.1.11 Hornsdale Comparisons ................................................................................................ 27 3.1.12 Lack of Third Party Guarantees ..................................................................................... 27 3.1.13 Pre-Construction Survey Methodology......................................................................... 28 3.2 Solar panel microclimatic conditions .................................................................................... 29 4. Environmental ............................................................................................................................... 31 4.1 Background noise level measurements and Sonus documentation ..................................... 31 4.2 Noise impacts of larger, more closely-spaced turbines ........................................................ 32 4.3 Relevance of (South Australian) EPA Guidelines for larger turbines .................................... 33 4.3 Response to issues raised by Stephen Cooper ..................................................................... 34 4.4 Infrasound ............................................................................................................................. 34 4.5 Amplitude modulation .......................................................................................................... 37 4.5 South Australian Environment, Resources and Development Court .................................... 37 4.6 Human health studies and findings ...................................................................................... 38 2 4.7 Submissions of Ms Morris, Ms Laurie and Mr Cooper .......................................................... 39 4.7.1 Involvement with the Waubra Foundation .................................................................. 39 4.7.2 Consideration of research in NHMRC study ................................................................. 40 4.7.3 Consideration of research in Court proceedings .......................................................... 40 4.7.4 Recent research ............................................................................................................ 42 4.8 Comparative analysis of interstate guidelines and consistency with South Australia ......... 43 4.9 Relevance of Development Plan policies for larger turbines ................................................ 45 4.10 Cumulative visual impact of wind farms in the region ......................................................... 46 5. Site disturbance and impact on flora and fauna, adequacy of vegetation and fauna studies ..... 47 5.1 Adequacy of assessments ..................................................................................................... 47 5.2 Vegetation clearance ............................................................................................................ 47 5.3 Biodiversity corridors ............................................................................................................ 48 5.4 Fauna ..................................................................................................................................... 49 5.5 Access roads .......................................................................................................................... 49 6. Cable installations within the Rural Landscape Protection Zone ................................................. 50 7. Preparation of site for solar farm development ........................................................................... 51 8. Transport and access .................................................................................................................... 52 8.1 Main site access point ........................................................................................................... 52 8.2 Aviation impacts.................................................................................................................... 56 8.2.1 Flight training ................................................................................................................ 56 8.2.2 Aerial agricultural applications ..................................................................................... 56 8.2.3 Aerial firefighting .......................................................................................................... 57 9. Visibility and screening ................................................................................................................. 59 9.1 Effectiveness of vegetative screening ................................................................................... 59 9.2 Photomontages ..................................................................................................................... 60 10. Hazard risk................................................................................................................................. 63 10.1 Lightning strikes .................................................................................................................... 63 10.2 Fire management .................................................................................................................. 63 10.3 CASA recommendations ....................................................................................................... 64 10.3.1 Turbine heights ............................................................................................................. 64 10.3.2 Obstacle lighting ........................................................................................................... 65 10.4 Traffic hazard from solar panel glare ................................................................................ 66 10.5 Design of solar facilities, including single-axis tracking technology ................................. 67 11. Socio-Economic Impact ............................................................................................................. 68 11.1 Heysen Trail ........................................................................................................................... 68 3 11.2 Community consultation ....................................................................................................... 70 11.2.1 Rigorous process ........................................................................................................... 70 11.2.2 Engagement in early 2017 ............................................................................................ 72 11.2.3 Specific individuals or groups ........................................................................................ 73 11.2.4 Engagement with Crystal Brook residents ...................................................................