Community input needed for wind farm
A wind farm between Wellington and Mudgee is targeting the creation of 600 potential jobs as it prepares to undergo development and is asking the community to submit any comments or feedback they have.
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The Uungula wind farm, a site proposed by CWP Renewables, has already lodged a development application and is beginning the community consultation period for their Environmental Impact Statement.
The project is anticipated to involve the construction and operation of 97 wind turbines and if it goes ahead, will be located 14 kilometres to Wellington's east.
CWP Renewables' Development Manager Matthew Flower said the range of potential economic benefits was 'substantial'.
"Including the creation of 250 construction jobs, which in turn will additionally support local businesses such as cafes and accommodation providers as well as other services during the construction period," Mr Flower said.
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"An economic benefits analysis has identified the project's construction will support 400 indirect jobs as well as injecting approximately $5.6 million in additional spending to the regional economy.
"The project will create in the order of 12 full time equivalent jobs during operations."
In a statement released by CWP Renewables, Mr Flower said that CWP would take up the charge of the 'buy local' campaign and look to provide relevant local contractors with work.
"We want to see local faces in the construction workforce, local contractors busy onsite, and in town, more meals being served, more sales in local shops and lower vacancies in accommodation," Mr Flower said.
"We expect the Uungula Wind Farm to provide a great amount of local benefits to Wellington, and the wider Dubbo region."
As with similar projects, the development would also be contingent on an agreement with Dubbo Regional Council and the establishment of a community benefit fund.
Mr Flower said the project had already heard from concerned landholders earlier in the development process and their concerns had resulted in a scaling back from 249 wind turbines to the current development target.
The EIS will be exhibited on the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's Major Projects website for just over a month, from May 27 until July 8, where residents can submit their comments.
