A lot of work goes into finding the right site for a potential wind farm. There are many factors to consider, but the key ones are:

• The availability of wind
• Access to the electricity grid
• Current land use
• Environmental impacts

The public release of the planning permit application and the associated expert reports follows nearly two years of extensive planning, research and consultation. The project layout has been substantially modified from the early indicative proposals to take into account community consultation and the environmental studies.

The energy content of wind is directly proportional to the swept area of the rotor, the air density and the cube of wind velocity. Simply put, if the wind speed doubles, the energy in the wind increases 8 times.

i.e. Power = [constant] x [air density] x [rotor swept area] x [wind velocity]ˆ3

Modern wind turbines have been shown to convert approximately 40 of the kinetic energy in the wind into electrical energy. This is known as the “energy efficiency” of the wind turbine (not to be confused with the capacity factor).

Modern wind turbines make relatively little noise. The level of sound can vary considerably depending on the shape of the land, the position of the listener and the speed of the wind. In most instances, it is possible to carry on a conversation at the base of a wind turbine without having to raise your voice.

Origin takes seriously any issue with potential implications for human health. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia's peak Government body for supporting health and medical research and for developing health advice for the community, has found no scientific evidence that wind turbines has a direct adverse effect on people’s health.

The NHMRC’s review of all known published results of infrasound from wind turbines has found that modern wind turbine designs, where rotor blades are in front of the tower, produce very low levels of infrasound. Findings from this report is consistent with advice from the World Health Organization which states that there is no reliable evidence that sounds below the hearing threshold produce physiological or psychological effects.

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The sound that a modern wind turbine produces is most commonly described as a cyclic whooshing or swishing sound.

Electricity generated by the proposed Stockyard Hill Wind Farm will be connected via a new, double circuit 132 kV powerline. This powerline will connect a 33 kV/132 kV substation located in the centre of the wind farm site to a proposed electrical terminal station at Berrybank. The proposed powerline route extends south from the wind farm site for approximately 58 km.

Most of the proposed powerline will be located within road reserves. From the terminal station site, the electricity will connect with the national electricity grid via the existing Geelong to Portland 500 kV high voltage powerline located adjacent to the terminal station.

The powerlines will be strung on single poles that are usually made of wood or concrete. They will not be lattice towers, or ‘pylons’ as they are commonly known.

The owner of the wind farm owns the turbines and is responsible for their safe operation and maintenance.

If the proposal proceeds, public liability insurance will cover the project.

In rural areas, electricity-related fires are most likely to result from damage to overhead power lines by falling branches. As all high-voltage connections for turbines around the site will be run underground, the risk of electricity-related fire is extremely low.

Each turbine is also fitted with a comprehensive lightning protection system that safely transfers any high voltages or currents directly to the earth without affecting turbine performance. However, any electrical facility has the potential to catch fire. The fire control methods for wind farms are the same as those used for all other high-voltage electrical assets.

The owner of the wind farm is responsible for removing the turbines and towers at the end of their working life.

There is no conclusive evidence to suggest that rural land is devalued due to the existence of a wind farm.

In 2009, the NSW Valuer General commissioned an independent study into the impact of wind farms on surrounding land values in Australia. The main finding was that wind farms do not appear to have negatively affected property values in most cases. The report also recommended that further analysis be commissioned in time to capture additional data.

Yes, some wind farms have had a positive effect on tourism. For example, Pacific Hydro’s Codrington Wind Farm in southwest Victoria, attracts 50,000 visitors each year through its successful tour operator business.

Landowners hosting turbines on their land as part of the wind farm project will receive an annual payment for the life of the wind farm. Origin also plans to establish a Community Fund will be used to support a range of projects that directly benefit the local community. The structure and operation of the Fund will be subject to further consultation.

As part of the planning permit application process, the Planning Permit Applications were on formal exhibition from 5 December 2009 to 30 January 2010. During this period interested members of the community were provided with opportunities to speak with Origin about the project and made formal submissions on the project.

After closure of the public exhibition period, any submissions made will be considered by the responsible authority (in this case, the Minister for Planning). The Minister will appoint an independent panel to hear submissions. All submitters will be notified of the panel hearing and be given the opportunity to be heard at the panel. Following the hearing, the panel must report its findings on the submissions and make a recommendation to the Minister. The Minister will then make a decision on the application.