The deadline for recepit of Expressions of Interest for the Community Consultation Committee has been extended until the 31st October 2012. In order to form as comprehensive a committee as possible, further nomintations are requested from members of the local community.

The NSW Government published Draft Planning Guidelines for Wind Farms (Draft Guidelines) on the 23rd December 2011. One of the proposals put forward in the Draft Guidelines is for wind farm proponents to establish a Community Consultation Committee (CCC). The purpose of a CCC would be to provide a forum for open discussion between Wind Prospect CWP, the community, Local Government and other stakeholders. In particular, the CCC would provide a forum to:

• Establish good working relationships between the proponent and the community;
• Provide for ongoing communication and information dissemination;
• Discuss community concerns and resolutions; and
• Advise on the allocation of Community Enhancement Funds.

It is proposed that the CCC comprise of five to seven members of the local community and other stakeholders, including at least two representatives that own houses within 2 km of a proposed wind turbine. Other representatives include one representative from Council, up to three representatives from the proponent, and an independent chairperson. Both the independent chairperson and local community/stakeholder representative will be appointed by the Director-General of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.

In preparing for the Draft Guidelines being incorporated, Wind Prospect CWP would like to seek nominations from interested community representatives and other stakeholders who would be willing to sit on the CCC.

It is envisaged the CCC will meet every two to three months, as determined by the CCC members.

This is the second newsletter for the Sapphire Wind Farm. It contains more information on the project and studies being undertaken. Printed copies were available at the Open Day, as well as from Inverell and Glen Innes Councils and Tourist Information Centres.

A Public Exhibition Open Day for the proposed Sapphire Wind Farm was held across two days in Inverell and Glen Innes in February 2011. This Open Day presented an outline of the project to the local community, allowing for feedback to be considered prior to submitting the final planning application.

A number of Wind Prospect CWP support staff and engineers were available including Adrian Maddocks, Senior Development Manager for Wind Prospect CWP, to answer questions about the wind farm development. The two days attracted some interest, with people attending from the immediate area and further afield to find out more about the wind farm.

This is the first newsletter for the Sapphire Wind Farm and provides the local community and interested parties with preliminary background information about both Wind Prospect and the proposed development.