Sample submission content
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Taking over public land
I object to EnergyCo taking over public state forests and parks such as Watagans, Corrabare and Pokolbin State Forest. This is a shared asset that we can all enjoy, which will now have massive cleared sections. We all own and enjoy this asset, but EnergyCo has now grabbed it for their own use.
Clearing land
This project will impact 761 hectares of native vegetation. This is not acceptable, especially when there is already an existing, cleared corridor a few kilometres to the north (through Neath). There has been no meaningful community input in selecting this path.
The result of clearing this land will be increased crime, rubbish and burnt out cars.
Road widening
In the EIS analysis, the impact of clearing and road widening is not addressed. There are hundreds of planned road works and track upgrades planned, which have an ecological and community impact. These have not been addressed.
Long term analysis missing
There is no analysis of the long term impact of clearing these corridors and additional roads. There is increased fire risk, crime and ecological problems that need to be dealt with long term, but EnergyCo will no longer be responsible for.
Massive impact on biodiversity
This impact on biodiversity on a region already under pressure is unacceptable:
Direct impact to 38 threatened flora
Direct impact to 28 threatened fauna
Other impacts on 4 threatened birds and 4 threatened mammals
Serious and irreversible impacts to 16 hectares, containing 8 threatened flora and 7 threatened fauna species
Missing data
This Impact Statement is based on survey data. But some of the private properties EnergyCo haven’t even visited yet - this is evident by landholder testimony and blank sections in their survey maps. But EnergyCo is treating these blank sections as containing no ecological value.
Ignoring social and community impacts
Several of the impacted properties have been set up as wildlife care sanctuaries. Our communities have invested funds and time in building these up. They are critical for injured animals and supporting an ecosystem already under pressure. EnergyCo has ignored people like Peter & Kathy Morris and this report ignores the impact of destroying these important assets - they don’t even get a mention.
Ignoring the human impact
Our elderly and vulnerable should be treated with respect and care. EnergyCo have treated this as an opportunity to bully, threaten and swindle. Making ridiculous low offers, trespassing and treating them with aggressive disdain. Cases such as Ian & Vicky Barry don’t even get a mention, yet EnergyCo have had the time to use their stories as part of their recruiting process
Meaningless Offsets
To address all this destruction, EnergyCo plan to buy 234,753 offset credits. Essentially they are paying someone else (with our money) so they can destroy our pristine bushland. Study after study have shown these credits to be often very dodgy and don’t offset anything. Just don’t destroy our native bushland in the first place - use the existing corridor to the north
Traffic impact
There will be daily traffic movement of almost 1000 heavy vehicles through small towns like Millfield. 7 days a week. For at least a year, and probably more. This is not something we should have to accept - especially when there is an existing corridor already available.
Workers Villages & Compounds
The creation of these worker villages and compounds will increase traffic and load on community and council resources. This is not acceptable that the developer imposes this on our community and gets this “for free”
No analysis of Fire resilience
There is no analysis of the impact of this project on our fire resilience. Several dams that have been used by helicopters to collect water for firefighting will now be blocked by high voltage transmission lines. The presence of high voltage lines also restricts movement of some firefighting equipment. High winds may result in towers or lines down, which at 500kv may start more fires. EnergyCo isn’t funding any additional fire fighting capacity - it’s up to our communities to support this. This is not acceptable.
Improved vehicle access to bushland means more traffic, and unfortunately more arson during high risk times. Any easement or track access that EnergyCo demands (either on private or state forest) means they essentially own it - a landholder can no longer erect gates or restrict access to prevent firebugs getting through.
https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/hunter-transmission-project