Media Release - Forestry Corporation Wind Towers

May 23, 2024

Oberon Council have issued the following media release:

Today the Forestry Corporation has announced that they have issued forest permits to investigate wind farms in the four areas where NSW State Government Legislation permits wind towers in State Forests. These are Oberon, Orange, Sunny Corner and Bondo. Within the Oberon Local Government Area, the defined locations for the Investigation Permit are within the Gurnang, Mt David and Southern Vulcan State Forests.

The areas where permits will be sought.

This is the first step that begins to define the challenge ahead of us and move the arguments, for and against, from speculation and hypothesising to what is actually being proposed and where. This allows the definition of risks and benefits and gain some insight into what the effects and benefits may be.

See also: The wind tower conversation heats up

From our perspective in Oberon, it means the next steps are understood and it gives the proponents the opportunity to undertake comprehensive community consultation. The Minister has been very clear that consultation should be meaningful, timely, relevant, easy to access and open and inclusive.

The guidelines also states that proponents are expected to adhere to these guidelines. It is our expectation that the proponent will engage with the community and consult in accordance with the Ministers requirements.

See the Forestry Corporation statement below. More information about Forestry's plans for renewable energy can be found here.

To view the information provided regarding State Forests in the Black Springs area, please see the Pines Windfarm site.

Mark Kellam
Mayor

---

Forestry awards Investigation Permits for renewable energy opportunities

23 May 2024 -  Matt Deans

Forestry Corporation has today reached an important milestone to explore the potential for windfarms within public pine plantations to contribute to the NSW transition to renewable energy.

Chief Executive Officer Anshul Chaudhary has announced that Neoen, Iberdrola Australia, TagEnergy and Mainstream Renewables Power and Someva Renewables joint venture have been awarded permits to investigate wind farm opportunities in some pine plantations in the Central West and Southern Inland regions.

Mr Chaudhary said the permits will enable the proponents to investigate windfarm opportunities in pine plantations in the State Forests around Bondo, Orange, Black Springs and Sunny Corner.

"Today’s announcement marks the start of the investigation phase under what will be a comprehensive and considered planning process," he said.

"A permit is not a consent to proceed with a project, but it will allow the proponent to start the detailed studies to see if a project is viable within each investigation permit area. Each company will need to conduct detailed wind farm feasibility studies, which will commence with the installation of wind and weather monitoring equipment on meteorological masts.

"Each company will also undertake extensive community consultation and work with local communities to consider and address potential concerns around environmental impact, noise, landscape and visual impacts, traffic and transport issues, hazard and risks, heritage, water and soil impacts and waste management."

Once this work is completed the companies would submit the projects for consideration by the State Government and if approved, Forestry Corporation will issue a Construction and Operations permit.

The combined investigation, consultation, planning and approval stages could be expected to take between three and six years. Any approved development would be unlikely to be in operation until the early 2030s.

"The proponents have demonstrated a strong commitment to build long-term relationships with the local communities and stakeholders, First Nations groups and the Local Government," Mr Chaudhary said.

In 2021 NSW parliament passed changes to the Forestry Act 2012 which allowed renewable energy projects to be considered in softwood plantations.

As public land managers Forestry Corporation has a role to play in the transition to renewable energy in NSW.

"Wind farms can co-exist with plantation forests without having any long-term impact on tree growth or plantation operations, as the wind turbines are situated well above the top of the trees.

Pine plantations are large areas often in windy locations, with access to powerlines, and a good existing road network," Mr Chaudhary said.

"Each project will have a Community Benefit Fund equivalent to a value per megawatt of installed capacity, delivering direct benefit back to impacted residents and the broader community."

Background:

The pine plantation sites have been considered for wind turbine projects because these state forests have existing infrastructure in place, such as roads and powerlines, and are often located some distance from neighbouring residential estates.  Native forests are not included in these project areas.

Wind farms can co-exist with plantation forests without having any long-term impact on tree growth, plantation operations or timber production, as the wind turbines are situated above the forests.

Wind farms operate in forests in Canada, Germany, Sweden, Wales, Scotland and Ireland and similar proposals are being considered for plantations in Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.

Find out more about Forestry Corporation’s renewable energy projects online and see the NSW Government’s renewable energy website for more information on the planning and approval process for potential projects.

Media contact:
Matt Deans 0400066237

 
How Forestry see the process moving into the future.

---

Disclaimer: Oberon Matters has no opinion either way on the matter of wind towers near Oberon. This article is for public information only. Please see our position of total neutrality.

---