Two information sessions are being held at Leadville and Coolah this month to give community members the chance to speak directly with our project team and provide feedback on the Valley of the Winds renewable energy project.

Valley of the Winds is an 800-megawatt wind farm that is in the planning phase. The project is expected to create up to 400 jobs during construction and 50 ongoing jobs throughout its operational life.

Members of the local community can drop by anytime during the Community Information Sessions to read updated project information and ask questions.

Coolah
Where: Coolah Youth and Community Centre – 10-12 Binnia Street
When: Thursday March 25 – anytime between 9am-11am

Leadville
Where: Leadville Hall
When: Thursday March 25 – anytime between 9am-11am

Valley of the Winds will be assessed as a State Significant Development under Part 4 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) is the state planning authority for the project. The project has also been determined to be a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and will be assessed under the bilateral agreement between the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, or an accredited assessment process.

The DPIE has accepted our initial scoping report for the project and issued its assessment guidelines known as the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements, including several conditions relating the EPBC Act.

A wide range of studies and assessments are now being undertaken as part of the early preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the project.

This includes assessments of noise, visual and landscape, biodiversity, cultural heritage, traffic and transport, social, economic and cumulative impacts.

A Community Consultative Committee (CCC) is also being established for the project under guidelines from the department.

The Committee will provide a forum for open dialogue between the Valley of the Winds project team and representatives of the local community, stakeholder groups and local council on issues related to the project.

For more information, ask questions or send feedback please use the contact us form on our website or you can email us at votw@upc-ac.com.