September 11, 2014
Australia

$1.3billion project could include 288 turbines, power line

By DARREN SNYDER | Mudgee Guardian | Sept. 10, 2014 | www.mudgeeguardian.com.au

A proposed $1.3 billion wind farm between Coolah, Cassilis and Ulan is currently having its Environmental Assessment examined by members of the public.

Details of the project, which includes a potential construction of 288 turbines and an overhead powerline stretching to Ulan, are on display and open to public submission until October 1, 2014.

On Monday and Tuesday project developer Epuron held community open days at Coolah and Cassilis respectively to gage interest as well as explain finer points of the Liverpool Range Wind Farm Environmental Assessment.

Epuron senior project manager, Brian Hall, said on Monday that reception of the project had largely been positive in the company’s discussions with all stakeholders.

“We are always happy to come and talk and listen to the community,” he said.

“We are displaying the Environmental Assessment here today as well as maps, photomontages and other information about wind farms.

“We encourage people to make submissions and provide feedback on the project. We need to know what they think about it.”

The wind farm project area is about 40 kilometres (east-west) by 50 km (north-south) and is expected to directly involve about 21 properties currently used for agriculture and grazing purposes. The Environmental Assessment said these existing uses would continue with minimal interruption from the wind farm during construction and operation.

The wind turbines are expected to have a maximum tip height of 165 metres above ground level and would be located on a series of ridgelines running generally southwest to northeast near the towns of Coolah, Cassilis and Coolah Tops National Park.

The project’s preferred powerline corridor stretching to Ulan is proposed to start at the southern boundary of the wind farm site and head south west through the Durridgere State Conservation Area.

“Beyond the southern limits of the DSCA the corridor continues south west through private land holdings and heads south along parts of Ulan Road reserve corridor and is proximate to the Ulan and Moolarben Mines. The corridor continues south and connects to the existing Transgrid Wollar-Wellington 330 kV transmission line near the town of Ulan,” the environmental assessment said.

“The construction phase would create up to 829 jobs in direct employment and there would be a requirement for up to 78 ongoing operation and maintenance jobs during the life of the wind farm.”

The EA said an operational phase is likely to have a minimal impact to traffic volumes as the turbines would be maintained by a selected crew of technicians likely to be based out of Coolah or Mudgee.

“The project would have the ability to produce around 2,724,700 megawatt hours of renewable energy every year, equivalent to the average consumption of around 340,600 homes – based on a 36 per cent capacity factor,” the EA said.

From the Golden Highway, major vehicle access to the site is proposed via Ulan Road, Warrumbungles Way, Rotherwood Road, Turee Vale Road, Coolah Road and Coolah Creek Road, and various subsidiary public roads coming off these.

For more information visit majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=4418

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/09/11/1-3billion-project-could-include-288-turbines-power-line/