Erection of Meteorological Monitoring Masts for Investigation Purposes for the proposed Pines Wind Farm project and Decommissioning of the Masts
Consultation has concluded
The Proposed Development will accurately measure wind and weather conditions at the site to inform detailed design and further environmental surveys for the proposed Pines Wind Farm project which is currently in the early investigation stages. This development application proposes the met masts only which will be used for investigation purposes, no development or approvals relating to wind energy generation is proposed.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION 2025.009
The Erection of Meteorological Monitoring Masts for Investigation Purposes and Decommissioning of the Masts
Oberon Council is in receipt of Development Application 2025.009 for the erection of meteorological monitoring masts for investigation purposes and decommissioning of the masts.
The Development Application being for Shooters Hill Road, Shooters Hill Lot 31 DP753027, Wrens Nest Road, Porters Retreat Lot 8251 DP1200276 and Arkstone Road, Arkstone Lot 61 DP753027, submitted by Mrs Jenny Walsh on behalf of Tagenergy Australia Investments 5 Pty Ltd. The application will be assessed and determined by Oberon Council.
The proposed development will accurately measure wind and weather conditions at the site to inform detailed design and further environmental surveys for the proposed Pines Wind Farm project which is currently in the early investigation stages. This development application proposes the met masts only which will be used for investigation purposes. No development or approvals relating to wind energy generation is proposed.
A copy of the Development Application and documents can be found on Councils website www.oberon.nsw.gov.au under “Have Your Say” or alternatively a hard copy will be available for inspection at the following locations during normal business hours:
Council's Administration Centre
137 Oberon Street, Oberon
Oberon Library
Cnr Dart and Fleming Streets, Oberon.
Written submissions are invited in relation to these applications and must be made to Oberon Council by 4.00pm on Monday 7 April, 2025. If a submission is made by way of objection, the grounds of the objection must be specified within the submission.
Submissions should be addressed to the General Manager, Oberon Council, PO Box 84, Oberon NSW 2787 or email council@oberon.nsw.gov.au.
We are absolutely opposed to any and all infrastructure which will harm the local enviroment and destroy the natural beauty of this beautiful area. The proposed wind towers, if allowed to go ahead, will be a blight on this landscape.
John and Renatta Babic
Gingkin
We vehemently object the Erection of Meteorological Monitoring Masts for Investigations Purposes and Decommissioning of Masts as well as Tag Energy's proposed Wind Farms. These alien structures do not belong in our beautiful countryside, it will damage the landscape envoronmentaly as well as aesthetically.
Bill and Helen Ivanovic
4512 Abercrombie Road,
Porters Retreat 2787
As residents of Porters Retreat, we oppose any and all infrastructure which would harm the natural habitat. We only care about preservation of our wildlife and ecosystem.
Stromlo and their meteorological tower masts observing the weather conditions is another blow to our community.
We will fight this blight on
our landscape.
The infrastructure is old. Europe is getting rid of wind farms. They don’t last 20 years. We have purchased our property for peace and conservation.
We are OPPOSED to Stromlo and their proposals.
Christine O’Neill
Lyn Martin
The grounds for my objection to this DA, just emailed to council, are as follows:
1. To the best of my knowledge the Oberon Council does not have access the Investigation Permit, or the terms and conditions thereof, issued by NSW Forestry Corporation to Tag Energy and their agent Stromlo, thus hampering Council’s ability to properly assess this DA.
2. Since, to the best of my understanding, approval for the wind development being proposed by Tag Energy will be sought via the NSW State Significant pathway, it seems inconsistent to apply for approval of any part of the project via any other pathway e.g. Council.
1. I have always opposed wind towers or wind farms in the Oberon LGA on the basis of location. The Oberon LGA is not the right location for any renewable energy infrastructure. As such, I object to DA 2025.009.
2. With reference to DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION (DA) 2025.009, The Erection of Meteorological Monitoring Masts (MMM) for Investigation Purposes and Decommissioning of the Masts:
2a. Why are the proposed MMM only 160 meters high? The wind turbines being proposed are 300 meters high. A 160 meter high MMM is only 53% of the height, of a 300 meter high wind tower. Meaning that only 53% of the required data will be captured.
2b. So why is data not being recorded in the range of 161 to 300 meters? What is Tag Energy afraid of? Does Tag Energy consider the prospective data in the range of 161 to 300 meters to be potentially, NOT favourable and as such could jeopardise The Pines Wind Farm project?
2c. Are the MMM only 160 meters due to minimising costs?
2d. Has a decision already been made that The Pines Wind Farm is a “done deal” and that this is simply a “box ticking” exercise i.e., spend minimal amounts of money, but ensure that some sort of data has been collected?
3. With regards to decommissioning, my understanding is that the concrete slab/ foundations will not be removed. Why is this the case, as the concrete should be removed and the remaining hole(s) should be backfilled with the original soil? Is this how Tag Energy operates i.e., half-baked measures and could not care less about the environment?
4. My understanding is that The Pines Wind Farm is a State Significant Project. Therefore, why is Tag Energy lodging a DA with the Oberon Council and seeking approval?
5. What happens if the Oberon Council does not approve the DA?
6. If Oberon Council does not approve the DA, what course of action will Tag Energy commence in order to gain approval of the MMM?
7. In summary, I object to DA 2025.009. These proposed MMM at 160 meters high are not fit for purpose when one considers that the proposed wind towers are at a height of 300 meters. Obtaining 53% (160/300m) of the data CANNOT be considered as appropriate and then be considered and relied upon as the basis for substantiating The Pines Wind Farm.
Regards ……. Robert Snoch
1. I have always objected to any wind turbines or wind farms in the Oberon LGA on the grounds of location, the Oberon LGA is not the right location for this type renewable energy infrastructure.
2. With particular regard to the DA2025.009;
2a. Why are the Meteorological Monitoring Masts (MMM) only 160 meters high? The proposed height of the wind towers is 300 meters - A height of 160 meters only represents 53% of the proposed 300 meter high tower! Data should be collected along the full 300 meter height and not just the 160 meter height.
2b. As there will be no data collection from 161 meters to 300 meters, what is Tag Energy afraid of finding in the data in the height between 161 meters to 300 meters? It would suggest to me that the height from 161 meters to 300 meters would not provide favourable data to support the The Pines Wind Farm! Again, what is Tag Energy hiding or afraid of?
2c. Has the height of 160 meters for the MMM been chosen due to cost cutting?
2d. Has the height of 160 meters for the MMM been chosen due to it simply being a "box ticking" exercise i.e., don't spend the money on a 300 meter MMM because the project will go ahead but, it needs to be shown that data collection did take place?
3. With regards to the decommissioning, the concrete slab/foundations need to be completely removed. My understanding is that this will not be the case, the slab/concrete will remain. If so, why? Is this to minimise the cost of decommissioning? Is this the way that Tag Energy intends on doing business in the Oberon LGA, i.e., only half measures and too bad about the environment?
4. My understanding is that The Pines Wind Farm is a State Significant Project. Then why is Tag Energy lodging a DA with the Oberon Council and seeking approval of such?
5. What happens if the Oberon Council refuses to approve the DA?
6. If the Oberon Council rejects the DA, what does Tag Energy propose to do in order to gain approval for these MMM?
7. In summary, I object to DA2025.009.
160 meter high MMM are not fit for purpose when one considers the fact, that 300 meter high wind towers are being proposed for The Pines Wind Farm. 160 meter high MMM can only provide 53% of the required data!
Regards
Robert Snoch
I Oppose these towers as they cannot accurately record the data required for 300m wind towers if they are 160m so why?
Also the data not being accurate would not show ice at 300m during our winters ... or any data from that 300m mark .
Waste of time ...
These meteorological masts are not even going to be at the same height as the proposed wind turbines so how accurate would any information be? Also we would be left with massive amounts of concrete littering our area. The effects of any blasting required would be of concern as well.
Tag/Stromlo are once again showing their disdain for the local community buy endeavouring to have these towers (and the Wind Towers project as a whole) approved as if they are innocuous when in fact they will have long lasting effects on our local environment.
This is an opportunity for our council to finally show that they will act to protect our local residents, landholders and environment by opposing this application.
Decommissioning the Meteorological Monitoring Masts should include all construction materials used.
On review of documents provided it appears all concrete used in both the Towers Base and support structures for each of the 3 Towers are to be left in situ.
The non removal of these large quantities of concrete would not comply with decommissioning best practice nor with our communities expectation with regard to a project yet to be approved.
Stromlo/Tag should undertake to conduct a full restoration of each of the 3 sites on decommissioning and not take short cuts in this process.
The Erection of Meteorological Monitoring Masts includes the use of significant quantities of concrete in the construction of the mast base and base supports.
Decommissioning of the masts however doesn't include the removal of this large quantity of concrete to make good the site.
Stromlo/Tag should not take short cuts at this early stage of the project leaving such waste behind on our ridge lines.
Stromlo/Tag need to adhere to best practice when working in the Oberon LGA and remove all concrete waste at the end of Monitoring.
Please register my objections to the erection of the meteorological masts as being a eyesore on our pristine pine forests and rural landscape. I am completely against the wind tower project in our beautiful area. NO MASTS AND NO WIND TOWERS.......
I register my objection to the DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION 2025.009
The Erection of Meteorological Monitoring Masts. We do not want or need these in our precious rural environment.
Please register my objections to the erection of the meteorological masts as being just one more blight on our pristine rural landscape proposed by a firm looking to erect outdated and inefficient technology, destroy our tourism industry which supports the community during hardship and drought and set to impact world heritage sites in our region.
So just no.
Please register my most vehement objection to the DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION 2025.009
The Erection of Meteorological Monitoring Masts.
I cannot be more adamant in my objection to the whole project and fear for my community and environmental surrounds.
Please register my objection to the DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION 2025.009 - The Erection of Meteorological Monitoring Masts for Investigation Purposes and Decommissioning of the Masts
The greater project has numerous negative impacts to the environment that creates a magnitude of problems and is counterproductive.
I’m concerned with the greater project’s impact on livestock which impacts farmers livelihood, impacts of blasting the rock which can impact natural springs - which has helped in times of drought, the vibrations and sound waves, the visual impact and the stress this is already putting on the community is also profound.
Why start testing on something that clearly does not have community support.
In summary a big NO from me.
Please register my objection to the DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION 2025.009 - The Erection of Meteorological Monitoring Masts for Investigation Purposes and Decommissioning of the Masts. I oppose any and all industrial wind turbine installation, as well as any and all activities related to the planning and/or development of such installations. I object to the current activities of Tag, Stromlo or any other company looking to profit from the destruction of our environment and properties. I object to the railroading of our communities by these companies and our government. In the strongest possible terms available to me on a public forum, I am saying NO to all of it.
Please register out objection to the DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION 2025.009
The Erection of Meteorological Monitoring Masts for Investigation Purposes and Decommissioning of the Masts.
Christian & Jess Hoolihan
4185 Abercrombie Rd
Porters Retreat NSW 2787
I oppose the project. We don't want our beautiful countryside be destroy by these wind towers or those masts.
I object to this DA as I purchased land in this area for the peace and quiet & I do not want to look at a 3 towers that I think are completely unnecessary for this area.
geoff thomo
I am fully opposed to the Wind Farm proposal and therefore am strongly opposed to the erection of the monitoring masts which may help to support the proposal.
After living in the direct area for over 30 years, enjoying the peace and quiet, I feel that the wind farm if it were to go ahead would severely impact the ambiance of the area. Not only that but I have many environmental concerns.
After meeting with Stromlo they indicated that blasting will likely be required in some areas for the foundations of the turbine towers, since the ground is mainly basalt and limestone it is very possible that this will disrupt the springs and creeks that the local farmers rely upon. All waterways on the eastern side of Shooters Hill Road flow into the Sydney/ Warragamba catchment area and so this should be of concern also.
There are numerous other environmental considerations that should be taken into account and would severely undermine the area if the project were to proceed.