In the article published in the Tribune on August 21, we asked members of the community for comments on the project. As a result, we received a large number of emails, mostly from those opposing the Rye Park farm.

Whilst the Rye Park project was on public exhibition in 2014, the NSW Department of Planning received 117 responses, 109 of which opposed development. These respondents now raise their concerns again, 12 months later, to voice their opinions over the Environmental Assessment of the project.

Local resident Christine Hawkins said that last time they were given only 12 weeks to read, review and respond to a document of over 300 pages.

“I think they are trying to make us all exhausted,” Ms Hawkins said.

“One of my concerns is the impact that the increasing number of Wind Turbine facilities will have on the growth of Yass and its surrounding villages. Will people from Sydney and Canberra still want to move to the Yass area with the turbines in view of their “tree-change” property? And how much harder will it be to sell your property if there are turbines around, even in the distance?

“The Neighbour Benefit Agreement ($2500 per annum) is a poor way to entice neighbours to accept this proposal … Having sent a submission opposing the proposal I have yet to see a Submissions Report, despite the developer having over 12 months to review all submissions.”

Ms Hawkins believes the farm will affect “noise, the shadows, the flicker, the changes to my television reception, the interruption to my phone reception, and the interference to communications with emergency services”. 

Ms Hawkins wasn’t the only resident against the proposed $2500 Neighbour Benefit Agreement. The Tribune received 13 written responses each of which commented on Trustpower’s proposal.

Resident Suzan Kelly described it as a cheap way around any regulation which bans wind farms within a two kilometre radius of a residence.

Jayne Apps writes, “Do Trustpower really think money is more important to our community than the destruction of the many endangered species of flora, fauna and wildlife so abundant in the footprint of the Rye Park Power Generation proposal.”

Bert Barrass has lived in the bush all his life, and says that he fails to see how Governments can allow industrial areas to go into highly productive farming and livestock area of Australia.

“I believe land valuations across the Yass Valley and surrounding council areas will drop significantly, therefore business will suffer, local government will not get resources that they have planned for the future because the growth in Yass Valley area (and Boorowa Council and Upper Lachlan Shire) will stop or cease altogether,” he said.

“If Trustpower can think they can buy me for $2500 per year they are in for a very big shock. I believe that each turbine is Government subsidised up to $500,000 per year, per tower for the life of the Facility.

“Farmers do not get subsidies and they are the second biggest earner for Australia.”

Patina Schneider believes that no amount of money can account for the fact that people are being driven insane inside their homes from noise and vibration from wind turbines.

“$2500 per annum is no compensation for the suffering some will face,” she said.

“Do Trustpower expect to silence those neighbours and what does the Voluntary Neighbour Benefit Agreement state? Will those neighbours who think to start with that they are benefiting dare to speak out when their lives are in turmoil and they can't sleep at night.”

In 2014, 91 per cent of locals were opposed the wind farm by the original proponents, Epuron. Local resident David Sainsbury said that that percentage remains the same.

“Thirty people came out to the community forum on Friday evening to raise concerns about the project,” he said.

“We won’t give up we will keep fighting it, we don’t think it’s the best thing for the area … everyone has a lifestyle here, and it’s divided the community all for monetary reasons.”

The Tribune will be publishing dates of the next community meeting regarding the Rye Park Wind Farm proposal in coming weeks.