The developers, Gullen Range Wind Farms Pty. Ltd, will pay $1,666 for each of the turbines, which will generate up to 278 megawatts of electricity each year.

The Conditions of Consent have been set by the State Planning Department, in accordance with directions made by the Land and Environment Court of NSW.

The document was tabled at the August meeting of the Upper Lachlan Council.

The development will include construction of a substation, transmission connection, control room, facilities building, access tracks and minor road upgrades in the Kialla, Bannister, Pomeroy and Gurrundah areas.

The contribution to the community will be adjusted annually to keep pace with the Consumer Price Index, commencing from this month.

Under the terms of consent the Community Enhancement Program will be developed in consultation with the Upper Lachlan Council, Goulburn Mulwaree Council and the local community.

The fund will not require any contributions from the local Councils or residents.

Eleven turbines were removed from the original application to ensure safe use of the Crookwell air strip.

Other features of the Conditions of Consent include:

* The approval will lapse after five years if the developer cannot show that the turbines have been ordered.

* Within one year of decommissioning the site shall be returned, as far as practicable to its condition prior to commencement of construction. All the turbines and associated above ground structures are to be removed. If any is not used for a continuous period of 12 months it shall be decommissioned.

* Before operations begin the developer shall consult with Council and the RTA on the need for landscaping screening measures along roads, including Range Road, Storriers Lane, Bannister Lane and Grabben Gullen Road, and will carry out these measures in accordance with the Director-General’s requirements.

* No external lighting other than low intensity security night lighting is permitted unless approved by the Director-General.

* A landowner may require the developer to acquire his land at a value to be determined by a suitably qualified and experienced valuer. If the landowner accepts the offer and the developer does not proceed with the purchase the turbines concerned will be deleted.

* The developer will pay $1500 to the NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Service for each death of a Wedge-tailed Eagle reasonably attributed to the project.