Wind power development company Taurus Energy today announced the start of detailed investigation of three potential wind farm sites in NSW. The three sites are: Conroy’s Gap about 17km west of Yass; the Cullerin Range about 12km east of Gunning; and Evandale about 15km north west of Goulburn. Approximate locations are shown in the attachment.

Taurus Energy has measured wind speeds at the sites for and indications are that each has good potential for a medium-sized wind farm of up to 30 megawatts. As well as strong and consistent wind, there are existing high voltage transmission lines accessible to each site and there is good road access.

Each proposal is for up to 16 wind turbines, each mounted on a steel tower up to 80m tall. The three proposed wind farms would each be able to generate enough green electricity to match the consumption of about 10,000 homes with pollution-free renewable energy.

These wind farms would be much smaller than the proposed development in the Crookwell region to the north, and specifically designed to reduce environmental and visual impacts.

Taurus Energy has started preparing Statements of Environmental Effects to be lodged with Development Applications with the NSW Department of Planning in the first quarter of next year. The Statements of Environmental Effects include assessments of biodiversity, heritage (European and Aboriginal), visual, noise and other possible impacts of the proposed wind farms.

Taurus has appointed NGH Environmental of Bega to assist in the preparation of the Statements of Environmental Effects and the Development Applications.

Taurus Energy is holding three “open house” meetings where everyone is welcome to visit to discuss the projects. Staff from Taurus Energy and NGH Environmental will be available to provide information and answer any questions.

The “open house” for the Conroy’s Gap Wind Farm will be held on Wednesday 16 November between 2pm and 7pm at the Yass Soldiers Club, 86 Meehan St, Yass.

The “open house” for the Cullerin Range Wind Farm will be held on Thursday 17 November, between 2pm and 7pm at the Gunning Function Centre, 18 Warrataw Street, Gunning.

The “open house” for the Evandale Wind Farm will be held on Friday 18 November, between 1pm and 6pm at Goulburn Soldiers Club, 15 Market St, Goulburn.