A SYDNEY company has planned the construction of almost 70 wind turbines in the vicinity of Collector. Brochures from energy provider RATCH Australia state that the Collector wind farm is now at stage five of the 10 stage approval process, and is currently being assessed under part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
“The proposed Collector wind farm is an important renewable energy project that will bring benefits to Collector, NSW and Australia,” RATCH Australia CEO Steve Loxton said.
“The proposal is to build 69 wind turbines and associated electrical connections on the hills to the west of Collector. “Wind turbines are an efficient and cost effective way of generating clean, renewable electricity.
“Over its operating life the wind farm is expected to generate more than 10,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy, equivalent to powering 80,000 homes per year for 25 years,” he said.
Mr Loxton also said that the wind farm would save more than 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over its life time.
“The life of the turbines is approximately 25 years. After 25 years the turbines would be replaced, or the wind farm would be decommissioned, all infrastructure removed from the land and the farmland rehabilitated,” he said.
The company plans on hiring 100 individuals to work on the construction of the wind farm and said they would employ local businesses wherever possible.
“We are in ongoing discussions with the Industry Capability Network to ensure we are aware of and able to utilise local skills,” Mr Loxton said.
He has also said that there will be several benefits to the Collector community and to Australia including environmental, economic and social.
“The wind farm will make a significant contribution to reducing the impacts of climate change,” Mr Loxton said.
“Economic benefits include the revenues earned by the businesses that we will rely on during the construction and operation of the project and by local landholders who are hosting turbines.
“The local community will directly benefit through the employment opportunities that are generated by the project.”
Mr Loxton said the company plans on hiring approximately 10 local people full time once the wind farm is operational.
“As well as this, once the wind farm is operating we will establish a community benefit fund that will contribute approximately $180,000 per year towards community activities in the area,” he added.
Although most of the Collector community is supportive of the wind farm, there are a few who are not and the company is working hard to change their minds.
“Through our Collector Wind Farm community engagement process, we have been made aware of a range of issues in relation to the proposed project, including concerns regarding noise, visual amenity, land values and health-related matters. Where possible, we have addressed these in our Environmental Assessment Report,” Mr Loxton said.
“As with any new development, there will be some aspects of the proposal that some people will object to. We are working with the community to minimise the impact of these aspects.”
Email a friend