Upper Lachlan
Atmosphere & Weather | Biodiversity | Catchments | Resources Use
Summary of updates to Upper Lachlan indicators for 2008/09.
Upper Lachlan Snapshots
These "snapshot" profiles celebrate recent environmental initiatives within this LGA.
Archive of 2008 snapshots for Upper Lachlan.
2009 Snapshots
1. Protecting our Local Heritage – the Upper Lachlan Heritage Study
2. Protecting and Enhancing our Biodiversity through Planning
3. Wind Farms in the Upper Lachlan
Protecting our Local Heritage – the Upper Lachlan Heritage Study
Upper Lachlan Community Heritage Plan
The Upper Lachlan Shire Community Heritage Study was undertaken from October 2007 to December 2008 as a part of the preparation of the Draft Local Environmental Plan. Funding assistance for the study was provided by the Heritage Branch, New South Wales (NSW) Department of Planning.
Heritage places identified in the Upper Lachlan Shire Community Heritage Study 2007-2008.
The Study was undertaken in accordance with the NSW Heritage Office publication Guidelines for Community Heritage Studies (2007). Upper Lachlan Shire Council and members of the local community recognised the heritage significance of many places within the Shire. The focus of the study was community-based, which resulted in extensive consultation, discussion and input from residents. Submissions were also received from former residents who have on-going attachments to the history and heritage of the area.
Shire residents provided comment on the suggested sites for the preliminary heritage list. Members of local heritage societies also provided contributions. This resulted in increased protection for local heritage with 186 heritage items included in the Draft Local Environmental Plan.
Protecting and Enhancing our Biodiversity through Planning
In 2008, Upper Lachlan Shire Council prepared a Biodiversity Planning Framework to provide guidance for protecting and enhancing the biodiversity values within Upper Lachlan. The Planning Framework contributed to the preparation of the new comprehensive Local Environmental Plan for the Council.
The Planning Framework aims to:
- Protect biodiversity
- Achieve a net gain in the extent (and/or quality) of native vegetation
- Increase the security of regionally significant vegetation communities and fauna habitats through a suitable reserve system, through the planning system, and/or community supported programs
- Recognise, support, and enhance a comprehensive network of regional biodiversity corridors that have been identified and protected, and
- Protect riparian vegetation and waterways
The Planning Framework identifies the natural resources which occur within Upper Lachlan, including the distribution of remnant native vegetation, important wetlands and rivers, wildlife corridors, and habitats which cater for threatened plants and animals and endangered vegetation communities. It also identifies the processes which threaten these natural assets and addresses the threats, to provide a framework for the protection, recovery and enhancement of the biodiversity values with Upper Lachlan.
Wind Farms in the Upper Lachlan
Sourcing renewable energy has become a priority in light of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the landscape in the Upper Lachlan is witnessing an increase in wind farm construction.
A Wind Turbine
Photo: M. Yule, Halcrow
In the Upper Lachlan, wind farms are controversial. While some people see their benefits, others have raised concerns related to noise, visual pollution, disrupted television reception, reduced property values, and risk to birds.
The Friends of Crookwell Group are also concerned with the social impacts of wind farms. Tensions can arise when some landowners receive financial payments for agreeing to the installation of wind turbines on their property, while neighbouring landowners can be disadvantaged by visual and noise impacts, and receive no financial payments.
There are currently 235 wind turbines within the local area, and the Upper Lachlan Shire Council is aware of another 250 proposed wind turbines. The attraction of a regular income from the wind turbines for landowners is understandable, especially when considering the recent drought. However, wind turbines are also causing social division and conflict within the Upper Lachlan community. For example, Dr John Formby, Chair of the Friends of Crookwell Group, said “the wind turbine locations are proposed in the wrong spots - near high residential densities for a rural area.”
Recognising these impacts, the Upper Lachlan Shire Council has implemented a Development Control Plan (DCP) for Wind Power Generation. One of the objectives of the DCP is to minimise potential land conflicts and ensure road and access issues are identified. The DCP requires a buffer between wind farms and non-wind farm related buildings (dwellings) of 15 times the turbine blade height or 2 kilometres, whichever is greater.
Wind Turbines integrated into the landscape
Photo: Upper Lachlan Shire Council
The Upper Lachlan Shire Council has made a submission to the NSW Department of Planning highlighting that some of the proposed wind turbines will be too close to houses and an airstrip. Although, there have been no changes to the proposed wind turbine locations to date, a NSW Parliamentary inquiry into rural wind farms has commenced.
The Council has also developed a Community Enhancement Policy which requires wind farm companies to provide community enhancement and contributions to infrastructure as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. This is to ensure that the wider community also receives benefits from wind farm installations. However, so far, there has been limited response from wind farm companies. Objectives of the DCP is to minimise potential land conflicts and ensure road and access issues are identified. The DCP requires a buffer between wind farms and non-wind farm related buildings (dwellings) of 15 times the turbine blade height or 2 kilometres, whichever is greater.
The Upper Lachlan Shire Council is not opposed to wind farms provided reasonable set backs and due processes are applied.
