The project was approved in 2016 by the NSW IPC - then the Planning Assessment Commission - for up to 77 wind turbines. However, it also needed Commonwealth approval, which occurred a year later but only allowed up to 37 turbines.

Furthermore, a condition of the approval was that CWP Renewables upgrade Aarons Pass Road to transport the turbine components to the site prior to construction beginning. However, work on the road ceased in August following concerns raised about the extent of tree clearing, which would've needed more than originally slated.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment then stepped in when it was found that construction had commenced on site without the Aarons Pass Road being completed.

'Crudine Ridge Wind Farm - Modification 1' seeks to reduce the maximum number of wind turbines at the project from 77 to 37, bringing the state and Commonwealth approvals into line.

And has a revised road design for Aarons Pass Road, which would increase vegetation clearing by approximately 5.05 hectares.

The modification was publicly exhibited from December 5 to 19, 2018, during which time it received 242 submissions, 129 in support, 98 objections, and three comments. Road safety was the most common reason given by those supporting the application, with biodiversity concerns key among those objecting.

A community forum was also held at the Pyramul Hall that month.

In their Assessment Report the DPE said that the modification is "approvable, subject to the imposition of the recommended revised conditions of consent".

And it noted, "without the modification to enable the delivery of wind turbine components via Aarons Pass Road, the project is unable to proceed, and the benefits of improved road safety and the project are unable to be realised".

The DPE's final assessment report, speaker registration forms, and other relevant documents are accessible online at ipcn.nsw.gov.au under the title 'Crudine Ridge Wind Farm MOD 1'.

It will be the first of two IPC public meetings to be held in the Mid-Western Region is the space of a fortnight.

The second being for their determination of the Ulan Coal Mine Modification 4 project, at 9am, Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at Parklands Resort and Conference Centre.