Will wind turbines be a part of the view from the Wambariga lookout over the Yambla Range in Woomargama National Park in years to come? Photo: Greater Hume Shire/Matt Beaver Photography.
Alinta Energy has identified the Yambla Range near Table Top Mountain in Gerogery as a potential site for a wind turbine farm, sparking swift backlash from locals who’ve launched an antidevelopment website and begun rallying support for a community action group.
The Yambla Range Wind Farm project website was published in August last year, and the development team had a site at the Henty Field Days, but recent activity on local Gerogery and Table Top Facebook pages has some locals in a state of shock over the plan which they say is an “abomination” and will “disfigure” the pristine nature of the area.
Libby Peoples described Table Top Mountain as the “Uluru” of the area and encouraged followers to add their name to a list being held in the Gerogery Store with the aim of establishing an action group.
“Please spread the word if you’re opposed to the disfigurement of the pristine Yambla Range,” she wrote. “Apparently they [wind turbines] interrupt human sleep even over 1.5 km away due to vibrations. I’ve heard turbines are mammal repellents in bushland areas.”
A spokesperson for Alinta Energy said they acquired the proposed renewable energy generation development from previous owner Tetris Energy in June this year.
Alinta Energy responded via email to Region’s inquiries regarding local community consultation, confirming that the wind farm proposal remained in its preliminary stages.
“We’re in the early stages of determining the feasibility of the project. Projects like this can take a number of years to move from early feasibility into development.”
Alinta said the pre-feasibility stage involved conducting initial studies to better understand the site’s suitability for the proposed project. These assessments would cover factors such as noise levels, surface water, heritage values, and local flora and fauna.
“These studies, alongside community consultation, will increase our understanding of the site and the community surrounding to help inform our decision-making,” the spokesperson said.
“We are investigating land at the northern end of Yambla Range on private farmland, used for sheep and cattle grazing, which will continue.
“We need to improve our understanding of the site and the surrounding communities before we progress the development further.”
On 18 August the Stop the Yambla Range Wind Farm website was launched with the message that the wind farm would threaten to transform the cherished landscape into an industrial zone.
“The proposed Yambla Range Wind Farm poses a significant threat to our local landscape,” says the website.
“With plans to install towering turbines up to 250 metres high, this development will overshadow the pristine views of Benambra National Park and Table Top Nature Reserve.
“These structures will fragment wildlife habitats, disrupt the serenity of our natural environment, and permanently alter the skyline that defines our region’s unique character.”
According to Alinta, the Yambla Range Wind Farm would generate enough clean electricity to power about 107,000 Australian homes each year and has been identified for its wind resource and proximity to existing transmission infrastructure.
It would be expected to operate for up to 40 years.
Consisting of up to 200 megawatts (MW) of wind generation capacity, and up to 100 MW battery energy storage (BESS) on-site, the Yambla Range project is proposed to connect to the existing Transgrid transmission network and supply clean energy to the National Electricity Market to contribute to the NSW Government’s target to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
It is expected to create up to 150 jobs during construction and have six to eight employment roles once operational.
The website states: “We’ll undertake comprehensive technical, environmental, and social studies which, together with further community consultation, will shape the development of Yambla Range Wind Farm.
“This includes continuing our engagement with the Greater Hume Council communities to understand ways that the area could benefit from the project, such as a key gap in infrastructure or suggestions for local initiatives, such as development of a benefit sharing program to support the local community and provide a long-lasting legacy in the area.”
Greater Hume Council said it had no position on the wind farm yet as only preliminary discussions had been held.
Alinta encourages local residents to contact the business via [email protected] to sign up to newsletters, request a one-on-one meeting or call or provide feedback via surveys.
You can also find out more about the fight to stop the Yambla Range Wind Farm campaign by visiting the Save Tabletop website.
Region made various attempts over seven days to speak with a representative from the Gerogery and Table Top Facebook pages and from the Stop Yambla Range Wind Farm website but was unable to secure an interview prior to the publication of this story.
