A proposed solar farm near Coleambally has concerns a number of local farmers. Photo: Spark Renewables.
A NSW Government authority has cancelled the last remaining public hearing on a proposed giant Riverina solar farm, igniting local fears that another controversial renewable energy project is being rushed through without proper consultation.
Malaysian-owned energy company Spark Renewables is set to build two million solar panels and a battery energy storage station on a property between Coleambally and Jerilderie. The company is also constructing a nearby wind farm with up to 200 wind turbines – a project going through a separate approval process. Together, the Dinwan Energy Hub is expected to power up to 300,000 homes.
Opponents have raised concerns about possible damage to flora and fauna, the devaluation of neighbouring properties, risks of water and environmental contamination and excessive use of prime agricultural land.
The size of the solar farm venture has been scaled back after a large volume of negative submissions, with the NSW Government’s Independent Planning Commission (IPC) expected to give the revamped development the green light in the coming months.
Controversy over public hearing cancellation
The commission had planned a public forum on the project for this Friday (27 February). However, this was abruptly cancelled last week and replaced by a private meeting with restricted attendance.
“The change of arrangements to the commission’s public consultation on this project in no way changes people’s ability to present their views to the panel or the transparency of the process,” an IPC spokesperson said.
“The commission received a total of 14 requests to speak at the public meeting scheduled for 27 February within the speaker registration period, 11 of which requested to speak by telephone, and three of which requested to speak in-person in Coleambally.
“The Panel will still travel to Coleambally to meet in-person with the three people who requested to speak in-person, and will also meet with the local council and conduct a site inspection and locality tour.
“Everyone who registered to speak at the public meeting by telephone can still give their submission to the panel by telephone, or video conference if they wish.”
Andrew Sleigh, a mixed cropping farmer who lives next door to the proposed site of the project, said he was extremely disappointed with the change in arrangements.
“We have struggled to get community recognition all the way through this process; the drop-in sessions don’t cut it. We haven’t had a proper public forum to provide decent communication and a response from both the proponents and those impacted, as well as scrutiny by the media,” he said.
Mr Sleigh said he was representing 10 neighbouring landholders and would have much preferred a public forum, where others could come and watch on. He said private meetings lacked transparency.
Farmer and campaigner against renewable energy projects Lynette Lablack wrote to the IPC to express her outrage at the cancellation.
“I’ve been contacted by Dinawan Solar neighbours who are extremely upset and angry about this lack of opportunity and transparency,” she wrote.
“I personally had already reorganised my weekly plans to enable an in-person attendance.”
Criticism of the solar farm plan
Mr Sleigh and Ms Lablack have several concerns with the development.
“Our local community is going to be impacted significantly. Our businesses are suffering already, our internet and phone reception when the camp is in operation is atrocious because there’s too much demand on the network,” Mr Sleigh said.
“The road network isn’t up to cope with the infrastructure that’s pouring into our area.
“We’ve also had an uptick in criminal activity since it started, not from the employees of the company but from a criminal element following the construction. Our isolation and limited law enforcement make us easy pickings.”
Over the past year, Riverina residents have also protested about renewable energy projects in The Rock, Gregadoo and Governor’s Hill.
Energy company responds
Spark Renewables said the decision to cancel the public hearing was made by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC), not Spark.
“The opportunity to provide written submissions directly to the IPC for consideration as part of its determination of the project remains open to all community members and has been extended until 8 March 2026 at 11:59 pm. Submissions can be made via the IPC’s project webpage ,” a spokeswoman said.
The company says there has been extensive public consultation already and it has always been transparent with the community and willing to engage with them.
“Spark Renewables has contributed approximately $200,000 in sponsorships and grants in the local community around the Dinawan Energy Hub (of which the Dinawan Solar Farm forms part),” a project brief states.
“In addition, the access rights commitments for the Dinawan Solar Farm, Spark Renewables will deliver a $30 million benefit-sharing, local content, and training program.”
Spark Renewables is also the owner of the Bomen Solar Farm near Wagga Wagga, which has been operating since 2020.
The Dinawan project is expected to take 36 months to complete, employ up to 400 workers during peak construction and up to 10 full-time employees during its 35 years of operation.
