Hills of Gold Preservation Inc votes against wind farm, ENGIE claims it's not fair representation

Hills of Gold Preservation Inc has claimed on the weekend it held a public meeting that indicated two-thirds of the community is not in favour of the wind farm.

"An overwhelming majority of local residents and landholders wrote objecting submissions during the Department of Planning Hills of Gold Wind Farm Public Exhibition Period, outnumbering local supporters by two to one," president John Krsulja said.

"Opposing submissions covered topics from historic unauthorised and authorised clearing, and biodiversity threat to Ben Halls Gap Nature Reserve and koala habitat.

"To inadequate assessment of impact, to water infiltration and increased runoff and sedimentation, noise and visual guideline non-compliance and heritage, tourism and transport impacts."

It also criticised ENGIE's decision to hold a social catchup and project update last week, arguing it should have been done more formally as a public meeting.

However, ENGIE has hit back and accused the group of skewing the figures.

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"ENGIE is aware a community event was hosted by the opposition group in Nundle on Saturday, where members of the community opposed to the project were encouraged to attend," manager of asset development Meredith Anderson said.

"ENGIE did not receive a formal invite to this event. While the opposition group claim the majority of local residents oppose the project, there is not evidence to back up these claims.

"ENGIE has always been committed to engaging with all members of the community and we will continue to provide informal and formal means for anyone to ask questions or discuss concerns they have about the project."

The company said its social catchup and project update event went well, and included people both for and against the wind farm, with the majority in favour.

It maintains, that based on submissions, the majority of the public should be classed as neutral in relation to the project.

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