attachment 6 – map of vhf/uhf radio link paths near wind ... daps/mid-west wheatbelt... · page...

of 36

Warradarge Wind Farm – Possible Impacts on Broadcasting & Radiocommunications Services

ATTACHMENT 6 – Map of VHF/UHF Radio Link Paths Near Wind Turbines

350000m

E350000m

E350

000m

E350000m

E350

000m

E350000m

E350000m

E350

000m

E350000m

E

375000m

E375000m

E375

000m

E375000m

E375

000m

E375000m

E375000m

E375

000m

E375000m

E

6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N

30,649

30,704

30,720

30,739

404,847

601,600

603,106

of 36


ATTACHMENT 7 – Map of Microwave Radio Link Paths Near Wind Turbines

325

000m

E325000m

E325000m

E325

000m

E325000m

E325

000m

E325000m

E325000m

E325000m

E

350

000m

E350000m

E350000m

E350

000m

E350000m

E350

000m

E350000m

E350000m

E350000m

E

6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N6675000m N

30,649

30,704

30,720

601,600

601,601

9,014,411

2 of 36


ATTACHMENT 8 – RADIO LINK CLEARANCE CALCULATIONS

In the event of a microwave point to point system passing near a turbine therecommended clearance from link ray line to turbine blade tip is the Second Fresnelzone radius calculated using the following formula:

Ymin = )2/11(12 DDD (Ref. 1 )

Example Only

1. Site 1 ID 204434 to Site 2 ID 9001068

Operator: OptusFrequency Band 15000 MHzCalculated Path Length : 17.85 kmClearance to WTG at 3.7 km from near site.2nd Fresnel Clearance D1

D1 = SQRT(2 x λ x d1 x (1 – d1/d2)) =SQRT( 2x (300/15000) x 3700(1- 3.7/17.85))= 10.83 metres

The required clearance from the ray line to a tower centreline is 50 + 10.83 = 60.83metres (at 3.7 metres from the microwave tower)

For a VHF/UHF point to point system the recommended clearance from the link rayline to turbine blade tip can be relaxed to 0.6 X Ist Fresnel Zone clearance as there isless disturbance at the lower frequencies due to blade movements or obstructionsgenerally.

Example only

1. Site 1 ID 10712 to Site 2 ID 10652

Ymin = 0.6 )2/11(1 DDD

Operator: NSW FireFrequency Band 450 MHzCalculated Path Length: 38.3 kmClearance at mid path0.6 x 1st Fresnel Clearance D1

D1 = 0.6*SQRT (λ x d1 x (1 – d1/d2)) = 0.6*SQRT ((300/450) x 19150(1-19.15/38.3))= 47.94 metres

The required clearance from the ray line to a tower centreline is 50 + 47.94 = 97.94metres at mid path (19.15 km from either end of link path.)

of 36


ATTACHMENT 9- SUMMARY OF RADIO LINK CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

TABLE A HORIZONTAL CLEARANCE ZONES REQUIRED

PathACMA SITE ID’s

Operator Coords Site A GDA 94Zone 50

Coords Site B GDA 94Zone 50

*Total Clearance ZoneWidth metres

30662-20707 WA Police E405838 N6693948 E339088 N6698677 246.6

30739-30731 St JohnsAmbulance

E360188 N6670348 E371538 N6731048 241.2

9004256-9004257 Nixon Comms E355237 N6630595 E338277 N6699840 243.2

30731-30684 Dept of Enviro &Conserv

E371538 N6731048 E326538 N6659148 254.8

30747-30720 Elect. Networks E345003 N6662621 E341885 N6692623 161.2

30747-30720 DBNGP (WA) E345003 N6662621 E341885 N6692623 164

*Total clearance zone width is total zone width centered on radio path outside which the wind turbine tower centre lines must be located. Arotor diameter of 112 metres is assumed.

TABLE B SUMMARY OF ACTUAL HORIZONTAL CLEARANCES

Path Hor.ClearanceRequired m

Clearance to TowerCentre Required m

56 m blades

Est. Current Hor.Clearance Nearest

Turbines m

Hor ClearanceYes/No

30662-20707 67.3 123.3 8600 Yes

30739-30731 64.6 120.6 4700 Yes

9004256-9004257 65.6 121.6 8000 Yes

30731-30684 71.4 127.4 6300 Yes

30747-30720 24.6 80.6 7700 Yes

30747-30720 26 82 7700 Yes

of 36


ATTACHMENT 10 - ACMA LICENSEES RECOMMENDED FOR ADVISING

OPERATOR ADDRESS 1 ADDRESS 2 ServiceType*

ElectricityNetworksCorporation e

GPO Box L921 Attn: Comms Operations &Maintenanc

PERTH WA6842

PP & PMP

DBNGP (WA)Nominees Pty Ltd

PO Box Z5267 SAINTGEORGESTERRACE WA6831

PP

WesternAustralian PoliceService

2 Swanbank Road MAYLANDSWA 6051

PP

St JohnAmbulanceAustralia WA

PO Box 183 BELMONT WA6984

PP

NixonCommunicationsPty Ltd

2/38 Lord St GLADSTONEQLD 4680

PP

Department ofEnvironment andConservation

Locked Bag 104 BENTLEY DCWA 6983

PP

WaterCorporation

Box 100 (MESB - Henry Oosterbaan) LEEDERVILLEWA 6902

PMP

Iluka ResourcesLimited

GPO Box U 1988 PERTH WA6845

PMP

TelstraCorporationLimited

Locked Bag 3708 (C/- R Preston) BRISBANEQLD 4000

CellularMobile

Shire ofCarnamah

PO Box 80 CARNAMAHWA 6517

Broadcasting

AustralianBroadcastingCorporation

Attention D Jadeja GPO Box 9994 SYDNEY NSW2001

Broadcasting

Optus Mobile PtyLimited

PO Box 888 (C/- Tony Huang, Terry Laws & JayWickr

NORTH RYDENSW 1670

PP

Singtel Optus PtyLimited

PO Box 888 (Attn Brendan Jones) MACQUARIEPARK NSW2113

CellularMobile

WIN TelevisionWA Pty Ltd

Locked Bag 8800 WOLLONGONG NSW 2500

Broadcasting

GeraldtonTelecasters PtyLtd

PO Box 878 DICKSONACT 2602

Broadcasting

Shire of Morawa PO Box 14 MORAWA WA6623

Broadcasting

ABC - AndrewClements -

[email protected] Broadcasting

SBS Hugh James-


BroadcastAustraliaSalvatore.Mattera


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:salvatore.mattera@broadcastaustralia

of 36


AirservicesAustralia

PO Box 367 (Attention Bruce Bilton) CANBERRACITY ACT 2601

AviationRadar&Other

Bureau OfMeteorology

GPO Box 1289 (Comms Section) MELBOURNEVIC 3001

WeatherRadar

*PP – Point to Point Radio Systems*PMP – Point to Multipoint Radio Systems* Broadcasting includes TV and/ or AM/FM Radio

of 36


ATTACHMENT 11- GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS

VHF Very High FrequencyUHF Ultra High frequencyEMI Electromagnetic InterferenceVHF Channels TV Channels 0 to 12 (45 - 230 MHz)UHF Channels TV Channels 28 - 46 (526 - 820 MHz)Band 111 VHF TV Channels 5A - 12First Fresnel Clearance Distance to obstructions from the ray line on a radio

path which does not produce any additional lossabove free space loss

FM Frequency ModulationAM Amplitude ModulationMF Medium FrequencyLF Low Frequency (not used for sound broadcasting in

Australia)GSM European Digital Cellular Mobile SystemCDMA Code Division Multiple Access Cellular Mobile

SystemITU International Telecommunications UnionACMA Australian Communications & Media AuthorityCB Radio Citizens Band RadioVOR VHF Omnidirectional Range (short range air

Navigation aid)NDB Non Directional Beacon

Form 2 – Responsible Authority Report (Regulation 17)

Property Location: Lots 10850 & 10853 Garibaldi Willis Road and Lots 10848 & 10851 Rose Thomson Road, Warradarge

Development Description: Warradarge Wind Farm

Proposed Amendments: Request to extend timeframe on Condition 2 to 31 August 2022

DAP Name: Mid-West/Wheatbelt Joint Development Assessment Panel

Applicant: Synergy

Owner: Lot 10850 Garibaldi Willis Road and Lots 10848 and 10851 Rose Thomson Road, Warradarge – Judeen Nominees Pty Ltd Lot 10853 Garibaldi Willis Road, Warradarge – Gary Marshall Chivers and Vicki Gail Chivers

Value of Amendment: Not Applicable

LG Reference: A1492/A1493

Responsible Authority: Shire of Coorow

Authorising Officer: Simon Lancaster

Department of Planning File No: DP/12/00625

Report Date: 26 May 2017

Application Receipt Date: 4 May 2017

Application Process Days: 21 days

Attachment(s): Attachment 1 – JDAP Minutes relating to Original Determination 31 August 2012 provided as Attachment 1 to previous Agenda Item Attachment 2 – JDAP Agenda relating to Original Determination 31 August 2012 provided as Attachment 2 to previous Agenda Item Attachment 3 – Request to extend timeframe on Condition 2 to 31 August 2022 as submitted by Applicant dated 1 May 2017 provided as Attachment 3 to previous Agenda Item Attachment 4 – Location Plan (Drawing No.WAW-AA-GA-G/002 SH001) provided as Attachment 4 to previous Agenda Item Attachment 5 – Site Plan overlaid upon Aerial Photograph (Drawing No. WAW-AA-GA-G/001 SH001) provided as Attachment 5 to previous Agenda Item Attachment 6 – Wind Turbine Elevation Plan (Drawing No. WAW-AA-PR-S/001 SH001) Attachment 7 – Transmission Line Tower Elevation Plan (Drawing No. WAW-SS-PT-

E/001 SH001) provided as Attachment 6 to previous Agenda Item Attachment 8 – Development Area Plan (Drawing No. WAW-AA-GA-G/001 SH003) provided as Attachment 7 to previous Agenda Item Attachment 9 – Photomontage from both Garibaldi Willis Road (Drawing No.61-27826-SK004) and Rose Thomson Road (Drawing No.61-27826-SK006) provided as Attachment 8 to previous Agenda Item Attachment 10 – Schedule of Submissions provided as Attachment 9 to previous Agenda Item Attachment 11 – Copy of Submissions provided as Attachment 10 to previous Agenda Item Attachment 12 – Copy of original application provided as Attachment 11 to previous Agenda Item

Officer Recommendation:

That the Mid-West/Wheatbelt Joint Development Assessment Panel resolves to:

1. Accept that the DAP Application reference DP/12/00625 A2370465 as detailedon the DAP Form 2 dated 1 May 2017 is appropriate for consideration inaccordance with regulation 17 of the Planning and Development (DevelopmentAssessment Panels) Regulations 2011;

2. Approve the DAP Application reference DP12/00625 A2370465 as detailed onthe DAP Form 2 date 1 May 2017 in accordance with Clause 68 of the Planningand Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 and theprovisions of Parts 8-10 of the Shire of Coorow Local Planning Scheme No.3,for the proposed minor amendment to the approved condition 2 to extend thetimeframe from 31 August 2017 to 31 August 2022, as it is consideredreasonable that projects of this nature can encounter delays relating to factorsincluding financing requirements, applicant restructuring, Commonwealth andState Government review, project scheduling and other matters.

Amended Condition

2. The approved development shall be substantially commenced prior to31 August 2022 and if the development is not substantially commenced theapproval shall lapse and be of no further effect. Where an approval has solapsed, no development shall be carried out without the further approval of theresponsible authority having first been sought and obtained.

Advice Notes

All other conditions and requirements detailed on the previous approval dated 31 August 2012 shall remain unaltered.

Details: outline of development application

Zoning RS: Not Applicable

TPS: Rural

Use Class: Wind, Solar or Tidal Energy Facility (‘A’ use )

Strategy Policy: Not Applicable

Development Scheme: Not Applicable

Lot Sizes: Lot 10848 – 1,441.4ha Lot 10850 – 2,001.7ha Lot 10851 – 1,825.7ha Lot 10853 – 2,012.0ha

Existing Land Use: Rural

Value of Development: $600million

The JDAP approved an application on 31 August 2012 to establish 100 wind turbines with an operational life of 25 years on farming land located between Garibaldi Willis Road and Rose Thomson Road, approximately 15km east of the Brand Highway and approximately 15km south-east of Eneabba. The application was supported by the Shire of Coorow Council at its 15 August 2012 meeting following advertising. The Warradarge Wind Farm site boundary covers 5,010ha (3,800ha for the wind turbine area and 1,210ha for the transmission line corridor) with an actual utilised area of 82.5ha, meaning that the remaining area would continue to be used for agricultural production or retained as remnant vegetation. The site was selected due to its proximity to the existing 330kV transmission line, the reliability of the wind resource (it is expected that the wind farm would generate electricity approximately 90% of the time), the relatively low number of habitable buildings (and the large lot sizes and zoning in this area also reduce potential for further residences in the immediate area), and the previously cleared state of the majority of the site (with only 0.7ha of vegetation estimated as being required to be cleared and this clearing would not include any Priority Ecological Communities or Threatened Ecological Communities and field research does not suggest that this contains roosting sites for Carnaby’s Cockatoos). The turbines would have a tower (hub) height of 100m and an overall (blade) height of 152m. The wind farm would also require 5 x 100m high monitoring masts. The wind turbines would be connected via underground cabling and 7.5ha of gravel access tracks (with an additional 1ha of gravel access track serving the transmission line). A fenced 6.25ha substation compound would be located in the north-west corner of the wind farm site as the connection point onto the 330kV transmission line. The compound would house a 22 to 330kV switchyard and transformers, a 367.2m² single storey relay and metering building, a 875m², 9.2m high site office and workshop, car parking area and a 50m high steel lattice communications mast. The application also sought to establish a 330kV spur transmission line running south-east for a distance of 10km off the Eneabba-Karara transmission line to enable connection of the Warradarge Wind Farm into the South-West Interconnected System. The northern section of the spur transmission line would be located within the Shire of Carnamah and the southern 4.5km section would be located within the Shire of Coorow. The transmission line would require 22 steel lattice towers

measuring 50-63m in height with approximately 500-600m spacing between each tower. The applicant originally advised that should approval be granted for the development, the wind farm was intended to be operational by 2015 and the 2 year construction phase of the project would require a 1ha construction compound containing a lay down area, site offices, amenities and first aid buildings. The likely turbine delivery route to the Warradarge Wind Farm site would be from Geraldton port, via the Brand

Highway turning east at Warradarge onto the Coorow‐Green Head Road, and then turning north along the Garibaldi‐Willis Road to the site entrance. A copy of the complete application for the total Warradarge Wind Farm project was provided separately to JDAP members with the 31 August 2012 Agenda on disc format due to the large (43MB) size of the application. The complete submitted development application report included the following technical documents: • Planning and Context Statement (Urbis); • Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GHD); • Flora, Vegetation and Fauna Assessment (Biota Environmental Sciences); • Noise Impact Assessment (Herring Storer Acoustics); • Background Noise Monitoring (Herring Storer Acoustics); • Investigation of Possible Impacts on Broadcasting and Radiocommunication

Services (Lawrence Derrick and Associates); • Aviation Impact Statement Assessment (AECOM); • Planning Compliance Report (Urbis); • Verve Health and Safety Policy (Verve Energy); • Verve Environmental Policy (Verve Energy); • Draft Environmental Management Plan (Verve Energy); and • Stakeholder Consultation Report (Verve Energy). This has again been provided to JDAP Members, as Attachment 12. In support of their original proposal the applicant advised: “The 100 turbine wind farm would produce on average every year, up

to 875 million Kilowatt‐hours (kWh) of electricity which is equivalent to the average annual electricity needs of 140,000 West Australian homes. The wind farm would also prevent at least 700,000 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere annually.

The final number, make and model of the wind turbines that will comprise the wind farm is not yet finalised and therefore development approval is sought for a 100 turbine wind farm and all associated infrastructure to be located within the wind farm envelope. To minimise the environmental impact of the development there are number of excluded areas where no turbines or associated infrastructure will be located. The Proposal footprint within the wind farm envelope is on cleared land and does not require further clearing of vegetated areas. Important vegetated areas that contain Threatened Ecological Communities and Priority Species have been intentionally avoided. The exact route of the 10km transmission line is not yet finalised but a likely route corridor has been selected based on Western Power’s connection requirements. Up to 0.7 hectares of vegetation may require clearing for the transmission line and this will be subject to a clearing

permit through the Department of Environment and Conservation. The likely transmission line route has been surveyed and contains no Threatened Ecological Communities and the Priority 4 species has been intentionally avoided. The design of the wind farm has taken into account the location of nearby residential premises to ensure that the operational noise from the wind farm is predicted to meet the noise limits for wind farm developments at these locations. The noise limits at relevant receivers is 35 dB(A) or the background noise (LA90,10 minute) plus 5 dB(A), whichever is the greater. The wind farm location and design complies with the Visual Landscape Planning Manual of Western Australia. The wind farm has been shown to be in a compact area acceptable from a landscape and visual perspective provided that the wind farm is limited to 100 turbines up to 152m high within the wind farm envelope. The majority of impacts have been mitigated through the wind turbine and wind farm design. The location of the wind farm has been assessed to determine whether any impacts are likely on air safety, radiocommunications and broadcasting and the results of these surveys are that no impacts are expected. The proposed Warradarge Wind Farm will be a significant project for the Shires of Coorow and Carnamah and for Verve Energy. The Warradarge Wind Farm feasibility study to date has found that a wind farm can be built at the proposed site that meets the technical, social and environmental constraints imposed on it. The majority of the impacts associated with the wind farm have been mitigated through site selection and design.”

Background: The subject site has not previously been subject to the lodgement of a major development application (excepting the 31 August 2012 JDAP Determination) and is presently used for farming purposes. Legislation and Policy: Legislation Planning and Development Act 2005; Planning and Development (Development Assessment Panels) Regulations 2011 (Regulation 17); Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 (Schedule 2 Part 9); Shire of Coorow Local Planning Scheme No.3 (Table 1, Parts 8, 9 and 10); Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004 (Regulation 5).

State Government Policies WAPC Planning Bulletin No.67 - Guidelines for Wind Farm Development. Local Policies Not Applicable. Consultation: Public Consultation Council resolved at its 18 July 2012 meeting to advertise the application for a Wind Farm and 330kV transmission line upon Lots 10850 and 10853 Garibaldi Willis Road and Lots 10848 and 10851 Rose Thomson Road, Warradarge for a period of 21 days with the matter to be returned to its 15 August 2012 meeting for its further consideration. Given that both the wind farm application within the Shire of Coorow and the accompanying transmission line application within the Shire of Carnamah were required to be submitted to a Development Assessment Panel and to avoid confusion for consulted parties, the total Warradarge Wind Farm application was advertised concurrently by the Shire of Coorow and the Shire of Carnamah. The advertising period ran from Friday 20 July 2012 until Friday 10 August 2012 with an advisory sign being displayed on-site during the advertising period. Notices were displayed in the Geraldton Guardian on 20 July 2012 and the Mid West Times on 26 July 2012, and the Mid West Times also ran an article on the Warradarge Wind Farm development application on 2 August 2012. A copy of the development application was displayed at the Shire of Carnamah office and the Shire of Coorow (Leeman) office. The application was advertised for public comment for a period of 21 days, rather than the minimum 14 days as required by the Scheme, to provide greater opportunity for all parties to make comment. In addition to the required advertising actions listed above, at the commencement of the advertising period, all landowners within 5km of the Warradarge Wind Farm Transmission Line alignment were written to by the Shires and provided with a complete copy of the application and invited to make comment. The applicant also undertook extensive public consultation as outlined in Section 2.3 of their submitted development application report, including direct contact, production of newsletters, mail-outs and e-mails, newspaper notices, surveys, and public information sessions. 10 submissions were received in relation to the Warradarge Wind Farm application. 8 of these submissions were received from government agencies all offering no objection to the application (with some providing minor technical comment that was incorporated into the conditions of approval and advice notes). 2 submissions were received in objection to the application from neighbouring landowners, and these largely related to the perceived impact upon their properties arising from noise and visual appearance.

A Schedule of Submissions was prepared for the Council’s and JDAP’s consideration in 2012 and this is included as Attachment 10 to this report, the Schedule identified the respondents, summarised the matters raised, provided individual comment upon the matters raised, and a recommendation in regard to each. The applicant was provided with a copy of the submissions received, in order to have the opportunity to respond to the issues raised, and a copy of the applicant’s responses to the issues raised in objection were inserted into the Schedule of Submissions also. Copies of the received submissions have been provided in Attachment 11. Consultation with other Agencies or Consultants At the commencement of the advertising period for the original application the following agencies were written to and provided with a complete copy of the application and invited to make comment: • Alinta Gas; • Civil Aviation Safety Authority; • Department of Agriculture and Food; • Department of Environment and Conservation; • Department of Indigenous Affairs; • Department of Mines and Petroleum; • Department of Planning; • Department of Regional Development and Lands; • Department of State Development; • Department of Transport; • Department of Water; • Fire and Emergency Services Authority; • Main Roads WA; • Mid West Development Commission; • State Heritage Office; • Telstra; • Water Corporation; and • Western Power. The applicant also undertook direct consultation with an extensive range of government departments and service authorities prior to lodgement of the development application, and this was detailed in Section 2.2 of their submitted development application report. The applicant’s prior consultation and the submissions received during the advertising period identified no significant agency concerns with the Warradarge Wind Farm project. Given that the type, location and scale of the proposed development details, inclusive of its location and scale are unchanged from the previous application, that was previously supported by Council, and approved by the JDAP, and the applicant’s request relates merely to the commencement timeframe, the Council of the Shire of Coorow did not consider that this matter should be re-advertised. Planning Assessment: The original application was assessed by the JDAP on 31 August 2012 under Shire of Coorow Town Planning Scheme No.2. The assessment of the application against the Scheme No.2 criteria is included within Attachment 2 being the 31 August 2012 JDAP Agenda.

Shire of Coorow Local Planning Scheme No.3 was gazetted on 27 October 2015, subsequent to the JDAP Determination. It is noted that the zoning of the land subject to this JDAP application remains unchanged, being zoned ‘Rural’. It is further considered that the provisions of Scheme No.3 do not present a substantial departure from those of Scheme No.2 as relevant to this application, and would allow for conditional approval of the application were it to be received now. Nonetheless an assessment against the relevant provisions of Scheme No.3 is provided below for comparative purposes to the Scheme No.2 assessment contained within Attachment 2. Shire of Coorow Local Planning Scheme No.3 The subject properties are zoned ‘Rural’ under Shire of Coorow Local Planning Scheme No.3 (‘the Scheme’). Section 4.2.7 of the Scheme lists the objective for the ‘Rural’ zone as being: “The objective of the Rural Zone is to provide for a range of rural pursuits

such as broadacre and diversified faming which are compatible with the capability of the land and retain the rural character and amenity of the locality.”

Given that the proposed wind farm would require minimal clearing only (0.7ha) and would not require loss of undue land area from agricultural production it was not considered that the proposed application is contrary to the farming/agricultural production aspect of the objectives for the ‘Rural’ zone. The development of a wind farm would be considered to have impact upon the rural appearance of an area, but it should be noted that the Wind Farm is in proximity to the existing Eneabba to Karara 330kV transmission line that runs through this area. Further, the previous establishment of the Emu Downs and Walkaway Wind Farms could be argued as creating a growing familiarity and acceptance of applications of this type in the rural areas of the Mid West, and the surrounding landscape is not specifically identified as a place of scenic value in either the Coorow or Carnamah Schemes. The application, as lodged, would meet the definition of a ‘Wind, Solar or Tidal Energy Facility’ which is listed as an ‘A’ use within the ‘Rural’ zone under Table 1 of the Scheme, with this being defined as “means that the use is not permitted unless the local government has exercised its discretion by granting planning approval after giving special notice in accordance with clause 9.4” under Section 4.3.2 of the Scheme. The requirements of Section 9.4 of the Scheme relating to the advertising of applications was complied with, and exceeded, in the receival and assessment of the application in 2012. ‘Wind, Solar or Tidal Energy Facility’ is defined under Schedule 1 of the Scheme as follows:

“means premises used to generate electricity by wind force, solar power or tidal action and includes any turbine, panel, building or other structure used in, or in conjunction with, the generation of electricity by wind force, solar or tidal activity but does not include turbines or panels used principally to supply electricity for a domestic property, rural use of the land or anemometers.”

Section 10.5 of the Scheme notes the following: “10.5. Term of planning approval 10.5.1.Where the local government grants planning approval for the

development of land — (a) the development approved is to be substantially

commenced within 2 years, or such other period as specified in the approval, after the date of the determination; and

(b) the approval lapses if the development has not substantially commenced before the expiration of that period.

10.5.2.A written request may be made to the local government for an

extension of the term of planning approval at any time prior to the expiry of the approval period in clause 10.5.1.”

The JDAP approval dated 31 August 2012 was for a period of 5 years, and the written request (as contained on JDAP Form No.2) and the accompanying correspondence (provided as Attachment 3) were received prior to 31 August 2017. Given that the proposed 100 turbines, 5 monitoring masts, 1 communications tower and 22 transmission towers are not for agricultural use, and would be in excess of 9m in height, then Section 5.16 of the Scheme must also be considered in the assessment of this application: “Height and Appearance of Buildings With the exception of buildings and structures required for agricultural use

in Rural Zones, no building in excess of two storeys or a height of 9 metres above natural ground level shall be erected within the Scheme Area.

Council may approve buildings which exceed the height specified after

considering information provided and any submissions made by persons owning or having an interest in land affected directly or indirectly by the proposed building:

• Will be in harmony with the general character of buildings in the

locality; • Will not be detrimental to the amenity or character of the locality or the

quality of environment or the townscape. • Will observe the required setbacks from the boundaries of the lot on

which it is to be constructed and will not prejudice the siting, design, aspect and privacy of buildings on other nearby lots.

• Will not impair the potential for development of other vacant blocks in the vicinity with particular regard to amenity, aspect and views.

• Has been designed in harmony with the natural land form of the site. Any such decision shall only be made by an absolute of Council.” All Shire of Coorow Council resolutions in relation to this matter have been resolved by an absolute majority. It was considered that the local economic benefits and the wider regional and state benefits to the environment presented by the project, and the analysis provided by the submitted Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, provide sufficient grounds for consideration of the application. Portions of Section 10.2 of the Scheme may also be considered relevant to this application: “The local government in considering an application for planning approval is

to have due regard to such of the following matters as are in the opinion of the local government relevant to the use or development the subject of the application:…

…(c) any approved statement of planning policy of the Commission;… …(e) any relevant policy or strategy of the Commission and any relevant

policy adopted by the Government of the State;… …(i) the compatibility of a use or development with its setting; (j) any social issues that have an effect on the amenity of the locality; (k) the cultural significance of any place or area affected by the

development; (l) the likely effect of the proposal on the natural environment and any

means that are proposed to protect or mitigate impacts on the natural environment…

…(n) the preservation of the amenity of the locality; (o) the relationship of the proposal to development on adjoining land or

on other land in the locality including but not limited to, the likely effect of the height, bulk, scale, orientation and appearance of the proposal;…

…(q) the amount of traffic likely to be generated by the proposal, particularly in relation to the capacity of the road system in the locality and the probable effect on traffic flow and safety;…

…(y) any relevant submissions received on the application; (z) the comments or submissions received from any authority consulted

under clause 10.1.1; (za) any other planning consideration the local government considers

relevant.” Shire of Coorow Local Planning Strategy The original application was assessed against the provisions of the Shire of Coorow Local Planning Strategy (2001). The current Shire of Coorow Local Planning Strategy (‘the Strategy’) was endorsed by the WAPC on 11 September 2015, subsequent to the approval of the Warradarge Wind Farm by the JDAP on 31 August 2012. The Warradarge Wind Farm project accords with the following objective of the Strategy:

“To promote the development of the Shire’s renewable energy sources,

particularly wind power, to better utilise rural land and increase employment and income generating opportunities.” (page 5)

The project is also specifically referenced in Section 5.9 – Rural Land Use and Development, Section 8.5 – Climate Change and the Natural Environment, and Section 8.6 – Renewable Energy of the Strategy: “Renewable energy is also emerging as a major industry within the Shire,

and one that can exist complementary to the primary rural land use. The $600m 100-turbine Warradarge wind farm approved in 2012 provides an example of an alternative energy operation in the Shire, and encourages further investment in the future.” (page 38)

“Possible reduced rainfall is likely to have a marked impact on inland

agricultural and grazing areas, which may threaten their viability without expensive irrigation systems.

Conversely, the shift towards more sustainable energy sources as part of

the response to a changing climate offers to opportunity to create employment and alternative income opportunities for rural areas suited to wind energy. This is evidenced by the existing approval for a major wind farm in Warradarge. Opportunities exist in the longer term for the development of solar, tidal and geothermal resources in the Shire.” (page 68)

“8.6 Issue 7 – Renewable Energy Renewable energy offers a major potential future source of employment

and income for the Shire. There is scope for investigation into wind, solar, geothermal and tidal activity in the future.

The forthcoming completion of the Mid West Energy Project will provide

new, high capacity access into the South West Interconnected System, and minimise transmission costs for new energy projects in the region.

Verve has approved plans for a $600m wind farm in Warradarge, within the

Shire at its northern boundary. The 250MW wind farm could power up to 140,000 homes and have up to 100 turbines reaching up to 152m in height.

The timing of the wind farm is currently unknown, however is dependent on issues such as the price of electricity, funding, and policy settings.

Nevertheless the proposal demonstrates the renewable energy resources

within the Shire and the approval in place should be a good indicator to other potential proponents that these projects are viable and achievable within the Shire.

Consultation with agencies and the Shire indicates that the impact of wind

farms on existing farming operations is minimal – with only a small amount of land required for the turbines and access trails. The impacts of solar or geothermal operations have not yet been tested in the Shire.

While there are questions on the visual impact of wind farms, there is also the argument that they offer a positive visual impact, even to the point where they can provide a tourist point of interest, particularly if a look out is provided.” (page 69)

WAPC Planning Bulletin No.67 - Guidelines for Wind Farm Development The WAPC released Planning Bulletin No.67 in 2004 as a guide for the assessment of wind farm developments. The application was prepared with regard to the issues outlined in Planning Bulleting No.67 including landscape and visual assessment, noise assessment, other amenity impacts, vegetation and fauna, site analysis, and consultation. It was considered that the Warradarge Wind Farm project would meet with the requirements of Planning Bulletin No.67. Annexure 8 to the original development application (provided as Attachment 12) provided a Planning Compliance Report that included a Compliance Matrix demonstrating the application’s ability to meet the requirements of Planning Bulletin No.67. Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004 The proposed wind farm is estimated to require the clearing of 0.7ha of native vegetation. It is noted that there may be exemption under the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004 given that the proposed clearing would be under 5 ha and does not impact upon any threatened ecological communities and the alignment has been selected to avoid a Priority 4 species in this area. Section 5 of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004 addresses the issue of prescribed clearing with Regulation 5 Item 1 as follows: “Clearing of a site for the lawful construction of a building or other structure

on a property, being clearing which does not, together with all other limited clearing on the property in the financial year in which the clearing takes place, exceed 5 ha, if —

(a) the clearing is to the extent necessary; and (b) the vegetation is not riparian vegetation.” Officer Comments It is not considered that there are any significant areas of non-compliance. The Schedule of Submissions (Attachment 10) that was reviewed by the JDAP in its assessment of the original application provided detail on the issues raised in relation to the proposed Warradarge Wind Farm. The Schedule noted that the objections largely concerned the issues of noise and visual appearance. Noise The Noise Impact Assessment prepared for the applicant by Herring Storer Acoustics logged the existing background noise on-site (over a period of six weeks) and models the proposed noise impact (and low frequency noise and infrasound projections) and concluded that the Warradarge Wind Farm would meet with the requirements of the

Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 and the ‘Wind Farms–Environmental Noise Guidelines–July 2009’ (Environmental Protection Authority of South Australia) these being the guidelines recognised by the Department of Environment Regulation. The modelling was undertaken using the conservative criteria of the wind turbine design that emits greatest noise (noting that this design may not be utilised for this project) and incorporated all wind conditions. The closest residence to the application would under the most noise conducive conditions experience 35dB(a) which is in compliance with the relevant regulations and guidelines for noise sensitive premises. It should be noted that in the event that the modelling is found to be inaccurate (undervalued) upon operation of the wind farm it would be the responsibility of the operator to modify the turbine(s) until compliant with the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997. The Noise Assessment did indicate that there are some land areas within the 35dB(A) noise contour (being the minimum background noise criteria) which are

owned by non‐participants of the wind farm development. These areas are within Lots 1, 10849, 10854, 10877, 10878, 10855 and 11017 and this presents a risk to the applicant in the absence of a statutory buffer, as noise sensitive premises would be permitted to ‘encroach’ into the 35dB(A) noise contour by the Scheme. In relation to this issue, Sections 1.9.3-1.9.5 of the submitted development application report made the following comment: “Verve Energy has negotiated secure tenure through Option agreements to

lease the above lots for the purposes of the Proposal. These leases contain a noise buffer clause that allows for noise to exceed the greater of either 35dB(A) or 5dB(A) above background noise, in areas of land away from noise sensitive premises, such as in‐situ houses. This ensures that no future noise sensitive premises will be constructed throughout the life of the wind farm in areas of the Lots where the wind farm may exceed the allowable noise limits.

Verve Energy is negotiating wind farm neighbour agreements with the owners of adjacent Lots (Lots 10849, 10854, 10877 and 10878) to ensure the areas of these lots where the wind farm will be generating noise exceeding 35dB(A) or 5dB(A) above background noise, whichever is greater, will not cause any conflict with any possible future noise sensitive premises.

It should be noted that the final design of the wind farm and its capacity will be dependent on these agreements. Should one or more wind farm neighbour agreements not be reached this will not affect the ability to operate a wind farm, only the position and overall number of turbines within the wind farm envelope.”

Further to this, the applicant, upon being made aware of the objections received provided further information on 10 August 2012 and 23 August 2012 that was included within the Schedule of Submissions. The correspondence reiterated the applicant’s intent to try and negotiate Neighbour Agreements that agree that no new homes or other noise sensitive receiver premises would be constructed during the lifetime of the wind farm in the identified areas. The applicant also stated that in the event that Neighbour Agreements cannot be reached then they can either: a) Relocate the relevant wind turbines to alternative non-optimal locations such

that the Warradarge Wind Farm will never exceed the noise limits imposed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on nearby land; or

attachment 6 – map of vhf/uhf radio link paths near wind ... daps/mid-west wheatbelt... · page...

Documents