Wind resources are “fake news” “All of NSW is prone to wind droughts.”

To the Editor,
I am writing to correct fake news about the wind resources in the south west of NSW and the views of the local residents.
The RenewEconomy newsletter and wind developers claim that there are prolific winds in the south west and there is strong local support for wind development.
Dirt farmers know that cropping will not work in drought-prone areas and the same applies to wind farming.
Moreover the wind has to be continuous, unlike rain which can be stored, mostly in the soil.
Records from the Energy Market Operator show that all of NSW is prone to wind droughts.
This is not common knowledge even though the Australian pioneers of wind drought studies described them over a decade ago.
On the views of the local residents, there is overwhelming opposition to wind and solar developments that occupy farmland and risk the pollution of the soil and groundwater for generations to come.
The danger of the toxic chemicals in renewable energy developments has only recently come to light when country people persuaded chemists with international standing to investigate.
We now know that some of these chemicals will become known as the asbestos of the future.
People need to be warned about wind droughts and they need to know that the voices of the protesters are not being heard and properly considered by the authorities who make the decisions about progressing wind, solar, battery and transmission projects.
Rafe Champion, B.Ag.Sci (hons)
Retired dairy farmer, Neutral Bay, NSW