Senior planner with the Planning and Assessment Commission Jade Hoskins said Wednesday’s meeting was held to seek community feedback on proposed modifications to the approved wind farm, to be located to the north-west of the village.

The application details changes to access roads, blade length, noise compliance and biodiversity.

“We have now heard from the public and the Commissioner will decide if we need any further information from here,” Ms Hoskins said.

“We are now in the process of gathering further information and research and there could be a determination within the next few weeks. We will certainly keep the community posted.”

Sixth generation Collector resident and president of the Collector Pumpkin Festival, Gary Poile, who is also a host landholder for the project, said the wind farm would help Collector set itself apart as a sustainable community.

“In the 19th century, Collector was home to a windmill that powered a flour mill. That enterprise was a symbol of the people who had migrated here from the other side of the world, forging out a new life in a new land,” Mr Poile said.

“Now, 170 years later we have another opportunity to embrace renewable energy and lead the way for other communities to follow.”

Mr Poile said while there were vocal opponents to the project, there were also supporters.

“There are probably equal numbers of supporters and opponents but the larger group don’t really care either way,” Mr Poile said.

National coordinator of the Australian Wind Alliance, Andrew Bray argued that the use of larger blades within the existing 150-metre tip height was an effective way to improve the wind farm’s efficiency without increasing impacts.

“This design change ensures that new wind farms in NSW will use the most up to date technologies,” Mr Bray said.

“Increased output from larger blades is enough to power the villages of Collector, Gunning and Murrumbateman with clean energy. This is on top of the 65,000 homes the current project would power.”

NSW Organiser for the Australian Wind Alliance, Charlie Prell says Upper Lachlan Shire Council’s attempts to overrule the local community’s wishes in the project’s Community Enhancement Fund, is among the issues.

“The Community Consultative Committee for the Collector Wind Farm has been a strong and effective advocate for the interests of the local community,” Mr Prell said.

“The Council’s attempts to dictate to the community how the community fund is spent is inappropriate and should be resisted.”