Community Reference Group

As part of the Community Relations program, Acciona Energy set up a Community Reference Group (CRG) as a focal point for communication with the community during the construction period of the Waubra Wind Farm. The CRG has been established as a forum to meet regularly with the Acciona Energy construction team. “We were very pleased to see community members expressing interest in forming a CRG to relay any issues and receive information updates about work happening at the wind farm site”, Community Relations Coordinator, Ms Sandra Mack said.

“The purpose of the CRG is to enable members to raise issues at meetings and share information with people in the community. CRG members are also encouraged to relay comments and ideas from the community back to the project team” Ms Mack said.

The group is made up of people with a range of interests, including land owners neighbouring the site and members of community organisations.

Fifth meeting of the CRG

The CRG had its fifth meeting on Wednesday 16 January. At the meeting Acciona Energy staff provided updates on construction works and discussed community related matters such as construction traffic and activities for the local community with CRG members.

A few CRG members have formed a group to start planning a celebratory event to mark the official opening of the wind farm in 2009, featuring local produce and community activities. The group has held two meetings to date and is currently inviting local community groups to get involved in organising the opening event.

Fourth meeting of the CRG

The CRG had its fourth meeting on Wednesday 10 October at the Waubra Recreation Centre. Acciona Energy staff, a Pyrenees Shire representative and CRG community members attended the meeting.

During the meeting Acciona Energy staff provided updates on construction activities, turbine delivery and installation, and consultation activities.

Acciona Energy informed CRG members that turbine parts will start arriving on site in December and that the first turbine will be assembled in December or January. Acciona Energy staff also reported back that the community feedback received at the community information day in August was generally supportive of the detailed wind farm design, and that people were in particular positive about the electrical design as the majority of cables will now be underground. Acciona Energy noted that a few community members expressed concerns about the aviation safety lighting as it was not expected to be needed at Waubra.

Acciona Energy showed video footage of the night lighting trial at the Wonthaggi Wind Farm in Victoria to help CRG members to visualise the turbine lights at night.

A small group of CRG members has been set up to start planning a celebratory event to mark the official opening of the wind farm in 2009, featuring local produce and community activities. The first meeting of the group was held in November.

Third meeting of the CRG

The Community Reference Group (CRG) had its third meeting on Wednesday 1 August.

During the meeting Acciona Energy staff provided updates on construction activities, the detailed design of the wind farm and community consultation activities.

The feedback and comments from CRG members were generally supportive of the detailed wind farm design. CRG members were positive about the electrical design as the majority of cables will now be underground. A number of community members expressed concerns about the aviation safety lighting as it was not expected to be needed at Waubra. Acciona Energy explained that safety lights have been incorporated into most recent wind farm developments and are becoming standard industry practice. Acciona Energy also gave further information on the visibility of the lights. Video footage of the night lighting trial at the Wonthaggi Wind Farm in Victoria will be presented at the next meeting to help community members to visualise the turbine lights at night. Other CRG members commented on the advantages of increased safety because of the aviation safety lights. Members were particularly interested in the sustainable design features of the maintenance facility and the permanent jobs that will be created to maintain the wind farm.

CRG member initiatives including holding an educational activity for the Waubra School and discussions around the official opening of the wind farm in early 2009 have progressed. Acciona Energy organised a visit by renewable energy educator ‘Indy the Energy Explorer’ on 13 September. Students participated in a number of activities while learning more about wind energy and the Waubra Wind Farm. CRG members expressed interest in starting to plan for a celebratory event to mark the official opening of the wind farm featuring local produce and community activities. The event will be an agenda item at the next CRG meeting scheduled for Wednesday 10 October.

Second meeting of the CRG

The second meeting of the CRG was held on 13 June at the Waubra Recreation Centre.

Acciona Energy staff provided an update on the progress of the civil construction works and on community consultation activities.

CRG members and Acciona Energy concluded that road safety had improved due to measures that have been taken to minimize the effects of increased vehicle movements during the construction phase. Measures that have been taken include additional signage and weekly briefings on road safety for construction workers.

Members of the CRG and Acciona Energy staff further exchanged ideas on community activities. Community Relations Coordinator Sandra Mack and a number of CRG members are currently working together to organise an educational event on sustainable energy for the Waubra school.

Acciona Energy informed the CRG members of the sponsorship program and policy for the construction phase of the wind farm and gave an update on sponsorships to date, and the process for applying for sponsorship in the future

Environment Coordinator Petra Stock provided an update on sustainability initiatives during construction of the Waubra Wind Farm.

Sustainability initiatives undertaken by Acciona Energy and Leighton Contractors include:

• Purchasing 100% Green Power for all site facilities
• Use of 100% recycled paper in the office and for newsletters
• Recycling of paper, toner cartridges, cans and bottles
• Collecting rainwater from construction buildings for use on site
• Providing an environmental induction and training for all construction personnel before working on site
• Employing local workers, with currently approximately 70 staff from the Waubra area and surrounds (i.e. directly & through subcontractors)

 

First meeting of the CRG

A first positive meeting was held on 17 April at the Waubra Recreation Centre, which was attended by CRG members and Acciona Energy staff

During the meeting Construction Manager Bruce Payne from Acciona Energy gave an update on the progress of the current civil construction works and outlined timeframes for future works until the Waubra Wind Farm will start operating.

CRG members and Acciona Energy staff discussed options to minimize the effects of increased vehicle movements during the constructionon phase on road safety. Acciona Energy staff explained that Line marking had been renewed and additional signage had been put up to improve public awareness and safety of increased traffic.

Construction Manager, Bruce Payne explained that the Waubra Wind Farm is a big project and that managing the large number of construction vehicle movements (up to 400 daily) has been an ongoing point of attention. “Acciona Energy and Leighton Contractors are very aware of the potential impacts of the construction traffic and are working to minimise disruption for the local community”, he said.

Members of the CRG and Acciona Energy staff exchanged ideas on community activities. CRG members proposed a number of additional activities. One idea was to organise activities for regional schools to educate students about renewable energy and wind farms. Other suggestions included site visits and information kits for schools. Acciona Energy appreciated the suggestions and agreed to further investigate the CRG members’ ideas.

 

For further information on the project, please contact Sandra Mack:

Free call: 1800 283 550
Email: info@waubrawindfarm.com.au

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifth meeting of the CRG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third CRG meeting at the Waubra Recreation Reserve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRG members at the second meeting in June 2007