Guillermo Alonso said, "we [Crookwell Development] would be prepared to review the number of turbines and remove the southern cluster." Six turbines, 3.4 megawatts per turbine, would be removed to the south of Pejar Dam taking the total number of turbines to 17.

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Crookwell 3 development is in the hands of the IPC

In a matter of weeks, the Independent Planning Commission will make its final decision on the Crookwell 3 Wind Farm development.

In May, the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) recommended against its development.

Today, an independent panel appointed by the chair of the commission Professor Mary O'Kane AC held a final public meeting on the DPE's assessment. It was chaired by Peter Duncan and comprised of Adrian Pilton and Professor Zada Lipman.

There were around 30 people at the meeting and 12 speakers, eight of these were opposed to the wind farm.

The proponent of the project, Crookwell Development, a subsidiary of Global Power Generation Australia is hopeful. "Fingers crossed," Mr Alonso said.

The developer would stand by its commitment of $2500 per turbine towards a community enhancement fund as if 23 turbines were developed, as well as signed neighbour and host land holder agreements. It would spend $800,000 to rehabilitate roads and an additional $800,000 on radio and television transmission.

Mr Alonso projected over $20 million input into the local economy in the construction phase, during operation, and through the community enhancement fund, neighbour and host land holder agreements.

Those in favour were Andrew Bray from Australian Wind Alliance, Charlie Prell a wind farm advocate and host of Crookwell 2 Wind Farm, and Laura Besley.

The DPE's assessment according to Mr Bray, "underestimates the project's value to energy needs.

"On the basis of 23 turbines, it would produce a significant amount of electricity, 20 per cent more energy than Capital Wind Farm with a third of the number of turbines."

On the assessment that the project is not critical to energy requirements, he said, both the Labor and Liberal Governments have "unambitious targets and do not reflect the urgency of tackling climate change and we should consider these targets will increase."

Those opposed to the project cited health reasons, cumulative visual impact, environmental concerns, decommissioning risks, and bush fire danger.

"The district is being turned into a plantation of wind farms," John Benjamin said.

Nick Winberg of Roslyn said, there are 296 turbines in the area. "This district has done its bit for NSW, Australia, and the world." He said that the community deserves better planning.

"Where is the contextual relationship to this region," he asked.

Mr Alonso said, Crookwell Development would operate the wind farm after its construction and a power purchase agreement is locked in with the ACT Government for 100 per cent of its output.