Renewables do have some positives

The article expressed the sentiments of the Murrumbidgee Council for the proposed wind and solar projects.

I want to begin by reminding them of the $5 million cheque given to them last year by Origin for a new medical centre.

We have a wonderful doctor in Jerilderie who is so popular that it can take up to three weeks for residents to get a medical appointment.

We also lack a female doctor, which puts 50 per cent of our residents at a disadvantage.

I have also noted that despite the council happily receiving the money, no plans are yet underway to build this most needed facility.

What a blessing this medical centre will be for our community and one of many positive outcomes.

Virya Energy paid for new change rooms for our football and netball club and sponsored our races and supported our clubs.

So far, we have seen Origin and Virya honour their commitments to both the residents and the farmers involved.

We are also looking forward to mobile phone coverage on our properties that can only be described as a black hole at present.

The projects will also contribute annually with generous donations to our Murrumbidgee and Edward River councils.

Not to mention the money, the farmers will be paid annually, a large amount of which will be spent in our local communities.

If the council hasn’t noticed, our three pubs and club which offer amazing cuisine lay largely empty.

The proposed camp with over 800 residents, yes, they will eat on site generally, but a percentage of them will come to town occasionally and support our pubs and club.

The Origin project also offers 30 long term jobs, and Jerilderie will be the closest town for them to reside.

Maybe we should be encouraging investors to build homes.

My recommendation to council is for you to take a more positive approach and build hope into your community.

Things have been going backwards in the bush for years, and I would certainly appreciate a more positive attitude to these upcoming projects.

Yours etc.

J Robertson

Jerilderie

Editor’s note: The delivery of the $5 million from Origin referred to in this letter is dependent on final approvals for the Yanco Delta Wind Farm, and funding for construction being secured.