A REPORT ON THE NECESSARY ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A FEASIBLE PROJECT IN BOCO ROCK WIND FARM
Executive Summary
Bock Rock Wind Farm had proposed development initiatives in a bid to come up with mechanisms to produce electricity from wind energy. The Environmental Assessment provided the modalities and logistics that would be used to implement the project, and mainly it advised on the potential impacts that would occur to the existing environment and community. All along, the project prioritized the proposed measures that would enable it to control potential adverse effects. In order to be more objective in its decision making, the opinion of the public was also considered. It is noted that the project was released to the public for their review and scrutiny. For instance, it was availed at Bombala and Cooma-Manaro council offices. This was a good move since it was a good way to capture the feelings of the people about the whole thing. Any project should be community friendly and one cannot establish this unless one seeks the communities opinion. Their decision to carry out consultations in order to point out issues that were not agreeable to public and other stakeholders was very important as it would add value and confidence to the project.
This report has a number of objectives and it aims to among other things to analyze the Environmental Impact Assessment and how it would be useful in the mitigation of the potential impacts from the operations of the project it pinpoints the fundamental consequences and predicts their magnitude it outlines the best measures to be observed in order to mitigate the adverse impacts it establishes a harmonic connection between the propagators of the project and the stakeholders overall, it provides a template that supervises and oversees the environmental management program proposed.
Introduction
Whenever a company considers carrying out a project of whatever kind, it is important for it to consider the potential hazards attached to it. Normally, most companies will consider the financial risks especially, in the quest to minimize losses. It is the hope of all companies that they will make lucrative deals out of the project. Looking at the trends in the modern world today, companies are changing their assessment procedures that is they not only consider the financial risks but also the socio-political impacts the project might have, not forgetting the environment. It is not within the companys mandate to consider the environmental implications of its project, as such, it is a statutory requirement. A right thinking government today has put stern regulations geared towards the protection of environment.
The decision by the Wind Prospect CWP Pty Ltd to establish itself within the prescribed environmental statutes says a lot. It is worth noting that this move comes at very critical moment when environment has become a serious reality. Indeed, there is a lot that the company needed to consider before initiating the project. Boco Rock Wind Farm project had great potential to being an enemy to the environment. In this regard, there are a number of environment related issues that should have been put into consideration by the management of the company when it deliberated on the dynamics of this project. This is because a decision of such magnitude could have serious environment consequences to the stakeholders if not carefully examined. This report considers the environmental impact and concerns that arise out of the decision by the company to carry out the project at Boco Rock Wind Farm. Various aspects of environmental implications such as biophysical and socio-economic, as well as purchasing power parity will be considered.
The Report Procedure
Its main focus is based on the assessment of the environmental impact that would result from Air quality Noise and Vibration. This analysis shall take into account the prescription spelled out in the Environmental Impact Assessment. The framework within which this assessment will take place is characterized by the following precision and dependability in regard to impact identification and also in relation to its significant magnitude in addition, a feasibility study will be conducted in ensuring that the control mechanisms are adequate enough to mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts. More importantly, the biophysical aspect, socio-economic aspect and culturalheritage aspect, will also be considered.
Bock Rock Wind Farm Project
The project aimed at establishing a long-term project that would generate electricity. More specifically, it aimed at creating over one hundred and twenty five turbines and ancillary structures. This would take place on Monaro Plains which was a high altitude plateau. The importance of the erected wind turbines were meant to produce electricity from wind energy.
The scope of Wind Prospect Group was far-reaching. It has been noted that it had initiated similar projects, particularly in renewable energy in states like Australia, New Zealand, and USA among others. Notably, it has been in service for 18 years.
The proposed Project development would establish over one hundred and twenty five wind turbines constituted of an on-site electrical cable network and an on-site collector substation. In addition, it would access tracks hardstand areas which stretched up to four wind monitoring masts and significant site signs would be hoisted. In the end, the project would also see an installation capacity of about two hundred and seventy Mega Watts but on condition of the model of turbine selected. The wind farm would have its operations controlled by use of remote computer control, local operations as well as the maintenance staff.
The proponent would settle for a final turbine selection by placing tenders prior to the Development approval.The turbines that were utilized for the project were three-blades, with fifty percent variable speed as well as pitch controlled machines which had the rotor and nacelle escalated on a decreasing cylindrical steel tower. The height of the turbine was approximated to be one hundred and fifty tow meters from the ground to the tip of the blades which had a height of between 80 and 101.5 meters as well as blades with lengths between 44 and 52 meters. The wind turbines that were to be utilized in this project had a number of variations in that the generation capacity varied between 1.8 and 3.3 Mega Watts. On average, turbines of this degree start to generate electricity at wind speeds around 4 meters per second and go off when wind speeds rise above twenty five meters per second. Normally, the shutting down when the wind speed is very high is a good control since it ensures safety or better still, the shutting down meant for safety reasons.( See figure below).
Fig. 1
Again, about four stable wind monitoring masts of around one hundred meters in length would also be installed. In this light, the masts were meant to monitor the performance of the wind turbines as well as provide necessary information that would be useful in determining the progress of the activity. The wind monitoring masts consisted of guyed narrow lattice and tabular steel design. It was noted that the electricity generated by every wind turbine generator would be converted to thirty three Kilovolts through a transformer situated either at within or adjacent each turbine. The electrical cables that went underground run at the depth of about 0.8 to 1 meter underneath the ground surface. This was meant to conduct the electricity that emanated from the wind turbines to the collector substation.
It was approximated that the collector substation would require one hectare of land as well as include a grid connection infrastructure and buildings, at least on average. The significance of the selected location would ensure that the visual impact of the wind farm would be minimal especially through the sitting of the collector a distance from regularly used public roads located at the Sherwins Ranges hills. In fact, this would ensure that the potential visual impact that would result from the Projects internal electrical infrastructure was kept to the minimum. It was imperative to establish a new transmission mechanism which would be connected to the existing electricity grid. Above all, this would harness the energy generated by the project. This requirement could not be met until the following consideration a new double-circuit of one hundred and thirty two kilovolts overhead transmission line needed to be constructed. In addition, this would connect the Project with another two established Country Energy lines situated at about twenty five kilometers east side of the collector substation. The good news was that the proposed transmission line would belong to Country Energys network and as a result the Country Energy would be the sole proprietor and operator of the new transmission line infrastructure.
Validation of the Project
Evidently, it has been acknowledged globally on the necessity in mitigating the environmental effects linked to fossil fuel energy production. This acknowledgement is evident in international, national and state wide commitments promoting the progressive development of less-hazardous energy projects. Notably, the Australian Government approved the Kyoto Protocol which resulted to the cutting of greenhouse gas emissions to one hundred and eight percent compared to the levels they were in 1990. This turning point decision would see Australias position grow in the realm of climate change in the international arena. Through a legislation process, the Renewable Energy Target was reinstated. It aimed at ensuring that twenty percent of electricity in Australia was produced from renewable resources come the year 2020. The cheapest mode of generation would be Wind energy as it was of low cost, potentially renewable and could be implemented to achieve a significant portion of this target. The project posed a great advantage and feasibility in the quest to increase the local as well as global need for renewable and recyclable projects. Besides, the project acted as solution in tackling the issues of Global Warming and Climate Change. Notably, it would contribute about 1.75 percent of new renewable production in a bid to attain the projected Australian target.
Environmental Impact Assessment
An environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a fundamental instrument for identifying the environmental, social, and economic impact of a project prior to its implementation. It can anticipate potential damage and as a result provide necessary mitigation mechanisms. The managers of Bock Rock Wind Farm Project ought to be aware of EIA requirements.
It aims to anticipate the environmental, social and economic impacts at an early stage in project planning and design. It advises on the procedures that can be established to reduce possible adverse impacts, shape projects to match the local environment and recommend suitable options to decision-makers. It identifies and evaluated suitable the beneficial as well as the adverse impacts, the most environmentally suitable, cost effective and practical option together with the alternatives. Furthermore, it should provide recommendations for mitigation of negative consequences, monitoring and auditing project implementation.
Impact Identification
In a bid to point out the potential environmental impacts of the project, wide consultations took place between the proponent and other stakeholders. A number of procedures were established that served as mitigation templates in case of adverse impacts. These consultations were included in the environmental assessment so as to develop most favorable wind farms design that would balance environmental, social, economic and cultural needs.
It was noted that there was a possibility of potential visual effects linked to the wind farm, as well as glinting. However, it was believed that relatively rare and shadow flicker effects would not likely be a major issue for any of the local dwellings due to the careful development of the turbine layout. In addition, the project posed a number of visual influence.
Hearing is used relentlessly for communication and in the responsiveness of the environment. Noise is generally undesired sound and, to some degree, what one individual regards as noise may not be noise to another individual. In this regard, it was noted that the inimitable acoustic emissions from wind turbines was a potential danger to the surrounding communities.
Biobanking procedures and assessment were used in Vegetation mapping flora quadrats assessment. In this regard, it was established that the project operations did not support seven threatened fauna species and one endangered ecological community. In addition, habitat was also endangered together with flora species although this was not well documented.
The following were the purportedly threatened species and endangered ecological communities recorded on site Natural Temperate Grassland Grassland Earless Dragon Little Whip Snake Diamond Firetail Eastern False Pipistrelle Eastern Bentwing Bat and oceanensis Squirrel Glider. One migratory species, the White bellied Sea Eagle was also recorded within the Project site, along the McLaughlin River.
Notably, the Aboriginal people lived in the Cooma Monaro district and its environs for at least 21,000 years. During this time, there was recurrent utilization of the high country, with migration happening largely during summer in a bid to attend inter tribal ceremonies, which took place in the project site.
As per the assessment report it was determined that the archaeological resource in the Project site did not interfere with the Aboriginal cultural heritage standards and guidelines kit. However, the establishment of the Project would amount to grave physical impacts to the Aboriginal objects that might be directly situated within impact areas in spite of their archaeological significance. Indeed, any Aboriginal object directly located within the vicinity of impact would be comprehensively disturbed, andor destroyed during construction.
It was predicted that Ground disturbance during the construction phase of the project had the potential to cause straight consequences to any Aboriginal objects or Non Indigenous items which were present on site. Aboriginal objects in form of stone artifacts were expected to expand in a relatively continuous, although the low density allocation across the broader landscape encompassed by the Project. In general, the foreseen impacts were predicted to be distinct in nature given that the footprint of construction activities were relatively small and, for this reason, effects to the archaeological resource across the landscape would not have significant consequences.
According to the assessment it was hoped that the addition of 240 vehicles per day would adversely impact on the existing road users, more so, on the minor and unsealed roads, for about two years until the completion of the construction of the project. Furthermore, major impacts were anticipated to take place during the construction period, while on the other hand, minor impacts were also anticipated during the operational phase.
The large structure, including wind turbines, which occurred within or close to the signal path, was a potential interference. In particular, this interference could affect the signals as well as degrade their performance. In addition, the electromagnetic emissions that proceeded from the generators and other machinery also had the potential to interfere with the signals. Nonetheless, the modern turbine generators and strict International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) regulations for manufacturers, ensured that there would be no negligible emissions from wind turbine.
There were several links and omnidirectional services which took place across and next to the Project. Considering the layout of the Project, the predicted impacts were expected to be minimal. The chances were that television interference would be experienced by some landowners in the area.
It was purported there would be minimal effects to the surrounding groundwater as well as the surface water given that the Project would be sourcing its water from an existing on site dam. Again, it was hoped that there would be limited activities within these areas and effective mitigation actions and management. However, potential impacts were likely to take place especially due to the construction activities. However the Soil and Water Management Plan strategy ensured that all alleged adverse effects were within controllable measures.
Impact Assessment
According to LVIA, each of the seven Landscape Character Areas within the Project viewshed had a Medium sensitivity to allow change, and represented a landscape that is reasonably typical of other landscape types found in surrounding areas of the Monaro, as well as landscapes within the wider regional context of the NSW Southern Tablelands. In addition, it established that the Project was likely to be an suitable and satisfactory development within the viewshed, which in a wider view consisted of built elements such as roads, agricultural industry, aircraft landing strips, communication and transmitter towers and power lines. In general, the cumulative visual effect of the Project in combination was anticipated to have low visual impact. In this regard, it was considered that the Project was well suited to the scale of the landscape furthermore it was not likely to occasion unacceptable cumulative visual influence.
According to surveys which targeted a number of local populations within the Southern Tablelands, suggested about eight nine percent of respondents were in favor of wind farms being developed in the Southern Tablelands, while on the other hand, seventy one percent of respondents expressed support of the development of a wind farm within one kilometer from their residential dwelling. This result was closely reflected in the responses gathered by the Project Proponent from a Public Opinion Survey and online survey which recorded 72 of respondents approving of wind being used to generate renewable energy.
Wind turbine noise had been predicted and assessed against relevant criteria prescribed by the SA EPA Guideline and World Health Organization (WHO) goals where appropriate. Layout Option 1 (125 WTGs), equipped with REpower MM92, 92.5 m rotor diameter, 100 m hub height, 2.05 MW turbines was predicted to comply to all relevant noise criteria, SA EPA Guideline and WHO limits, at all respective receivers. Layout Option 2 (107 WTGs), equipped with Siemens SWT 2.3 101, 101 m rotor diameter, 100 m hub height, 2.3 MW turbines was also predicted to comply with all relevant noise criteria, SA EPA Guideline and WHO limits, at all respective receivers.
An assessment had been carried out to the Construction noise impact, blasting impact and vibrations levels. In this regard, the worst case scenarios were considered to be quite acceptable. Furthermore, another assessment had been conducted regarding the Construction traffic noise impact and it was noted that the maximum construction traffic generated scenario would augment the present traffic noise levels along local roads by about three to seven dBAt.
In order to minimize traffic impacts reduce community disruption and the risk of traffic incidents a range on management and mitigation strategies had been proposed during the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the Project. In turn this would facilitate minimum disruption to existing traffic conditions. It was noted that there were no aerodromes within or in the vicinity of the Project Study area, so there were no concerns with regard to the Project impacting on OLS and PANS OPS of airfields. However, part of the regulations proposed included lighting requirements for tall structures. The Ambidji Group conducted an independent Aeronautical Impact Assessment and Obstacle Lighting Review, which established that the Project did not have any operational justification for the provision of obstacle lighting, and therefore would not require any turbines to have hazard lighting.
Environmental Safeguards and management
A number of amendments had been made to the proposed layout in order to reduce and avoid impacts on the ecological values of the site. Given the extensive areas of NTG across the site area, particularly across the Sherwins Range, and the requirement for turbines to be placed on ridge tops, the opportunities to avoid all impacts on NTG were limited. However, it was not possible to completely prevent placing turbines in areas supporting woodland as that would impact upon the Projects feasibility,
The avoidance measures that would or had been implemented to minimize impacts on the ecological integrity of the site as well as maintaining the engineering and economic feasibility of the wind farm were summarized as follows access roads had been designed to follow current tracks and roads present within the study area where possible to minimize additional vegetation clearance for access electrical cables would be placed underground and within the road footprint where possible to allow for temporary rather than permanent disturbance and electrical cables would pass overhead across significant gullies and waterways to reduce impacts. NTG was present across much of the western portion of the site. Whilst it was not possible to avoid areas of NTG completely, the following had been undertaken to minimize and avoid impacts on this community Road layouts had been placed outside areas of NTG so as to minimize fragmentation of NTG where feasible Potential locations for concrete batching plants had been sited in disturbed and sown areas to avoid further impacts on NTG and Temporary construction facilities would be located in disturbed areas and within the current development envelope wherever it was possible.
Recommendations
On the basis of the reported findings, this report further recommended that the company goes ahead with the proposed development of Boco Rock Wind Farm. This is because, after a thorough environmental analysis of the situation in this project, it was found favorable to take place.
A significant amount of funds was set aside for the purposes of realizing the projects objectives especially in the maintenance of an environment friendly atmosphere. A constant observation should be made to ensure that all the mechanisms put in place to regulate environment hazards. This is especially crucial considering the potential impacts the project has to the environment. Even if the predictions made it look like a good activity, the stakeholders should have never took it fro granted. Indeed, the project potentially posed adverse environmental hazards therefore, there ought to have been concrete indications of what the Company intended to do when confronted with spontaneous environmental hazards. The report did not indicate what they would do to solve such adverse effects.
Again, a feasibility study ought to have been conducted to further establish the political, social, as well as legal situations in the surrounding neighborhood, and their implications on the financial returns of the company.
Conclusion
The need for this report arose out of the decision by the management of Wind Prospect CWP Pty Limited, to carry out the project at Bock Rock Wind Farm. The aim was to establish whether such a proposed project would generate adverse environment hazards both to the stakeholders. This report has established that the company is very well advised to consider such a move.
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