Boco Rock Wind Farm Visit
09 Apr 2015
Pambula Beach Probus Club chose the new Boco Rock Wind Farm for a visit on 2nd March 2015.
Twenty eight members met at the Nimmitabel, NSW bakery to sample their famous cakes, pies et al, preparatory to setting off together to visit the recently completed stage one of sixty seven towers. Stage two and three will see a total of one hundred twenty seven built in the area west of Nimmitabel.
The group was met by the site engineer, who led the convoy up to a tower, where there was a spare blade along side. The many questions asked was an indication of the interest taken by the members. Statistically, each tower is 80 meters high, set on a foundation of 280 cubic meters of concrete. (That is the equivalent of 40 seven cu mtr ready mixed concrete trucks you often see!) Each blade is 47.8 meters long and weighs seven tonnes. Thus the diameter of the mill is close to 100 meters, or the size of a football field! The end that attaches to the hub is big enough to stand up in. (See photo.)
Of interest was that cattle grazed right up to the towers, and in fact seemed to appreciate the shade they provided.
In terms of noise standing under it, there was a faint hum from the generator, and a whoosh as each blade passed.
The group then met at the Bungarby Rural Fire Service shed for lunch, (and toilets!) where the brigade captain spoke on local procedures at fires, and touched on the history of the area.
Members spoke at a subsequent meeting of their enjoyment of the day.
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