The meeting was widely advertised and open to anyone who wanted more information on the large number of ‘Wind Farms’ being planned and built on the Southern Tablelands and South West Slopes. Attendees were given information about the effects of sound, including infrasound, from people living at the Gullen Range WF near Crookwell. Speakers also came from South Australia to tell the audience about the problems of being a WF host on their land and their inability to continue living so close to operating turbines resulting in the eventual sale of their property, and a Yass Real Estate agent gave his opinion about the difficulties he is having selling properties that will be visually impacted by the proposed Yass Valley and Rye Park WFs and the price reductions vendors are taking as a result. A solar expert also gave a talk, and had a display, on one of the alternatives to wind power and local residents and business owners stressed the need for people to research and ask questions of the developers before agreeing to, and signing, contracts with wind power developers.

The meeting was attended by 160 people, and although the meeting was open to supporters of wind power as well as those seeking more information, the majority of these people came from the villages and farming communities that will be impacted by the many developments. When you take into account that most of these people would have been representing families and friends I think it could be said that there is a large amount of opposition to wind power development in the area. Trustpower (Rye Park WF) tell us there is widespread community support for their development but after several years of promoting community knowledge on wind power in rural areas I have yet to see any sign of these supporters. The only supporters I have come across are those who will be benefiting financially, and those who trespass on my land and steal signs, most recently a 760mm high x 1830 wide sign that was several metres inside my boundary fence. I find it disturbing that a person who is supporting wind power can be offended by a ‘No Wind Turbines” sign that is less than a metre high, but will allow Rye Park to be surrounded with 109 wind turbines that will be 175 metres high and will make a lot of noise, without even taking into consideration the impact it will have on the community as a whole and the precious remnant vegetation and animal habitats that will be destroyed in the construction process.

As a matter of interest, a poll was taken on the night of the Public Meeting. The question was asked ‘Are you in favour of wind turbines being built in Yass Valley, Boorowa, Rye Park and the surrounding villages and rural areas?.’ Of the 160 people in attendance 138 of them voted. 136 voted no and 2 voted yes. This is in stark contrast to the survey done several years ago that the wind power companies love to quote saying 80 per cent of people want wind power.

I would also like to note that I personally invited Trustpower representatives Michael Head, Wind Development Officer, and Rontheo Van Zyl, Development Manager, to speak at the public meeting and have a display but they were adamant they would not be attending such a meeting.

I urge those living in Yass to take notice of what is going on around you, give support to your local farmers and residents of Rye Park, Bowning and Bookham, and do some research on the impact the Rye Park WF, Bango WF, Rugby WF and Yass Valley WFs will have if they are approved for construction.

If you would like more information please email: ryeparkactiongroup@gmail.com or get onto any of the Wind Farm websites and look at their maps. Also talk to your Yass Councillors. They are currently deciding on the future of our roads that are to be used in the development stages of the Rye Park WF and if approved will be allowing the huge amount of oversized traffic to pass through Yass streets and local roads.