Mick Henderson stands in front of prime agricultural land in Maxwell that is proposed for solar farming. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
Following community consultation, Riverina farmers were left angry and disappointed after the latest chapter in the ongoing dispute over the contentious Maxwell solar farm project.
The Spanish company X-ELIO has proposed building a solar farm on 2500 acres in Maxwell, despite ongoing opposition from residents since the project was announced in 2022.
Farmers have organised a protest gathering near the project site on Tuesday (Maxwell Park, 35 Maxwell Road, Wagga) at 9:30 am to demonstrate regional unity and concern over the project’s scale, location and lack of transparency.
X-ELIO also announced that, as part of the Maxwell Downs Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), it will establish a $1 million fund that will be allocated upfront for community projects.
Maxwell resident, landowner, and former Wagga Wagga City Councillor Mick Henderson told Region X-ELIO’s recent community consultation, attended by over 70 residents, was inadequate and tense.
“There was a lot of anger and upset people. Everyone was pretty fired up,” Mr Henderson said.
“They’ve tried to railroad us. The consultation just isn’t good enough. They never came up with a plan.
“They even tried to buy us off by offering a million dollars for the community, but no one wants it.”
Loading ...Mr Henderson said one of the attendees pointed out that the loss in property value alone would be in the millions.
“They have no foresight, and none of them live here. They assessed the agricultural land as a Category 4, but it should be Category 3. There were so many flaws in their assessment,” he said.
Mr Henderson said X-ELIO representatives took photos from his veranda to claim he would hardly see the panels.
When he asked them to take a photo from the boundary fence, the representatives told him that, according to the guidelines, photos must be taken from residential homes.
He said the most disappointing part was that while the affected residents were given 90 minutes of consultation, the company held two four-hour community consultations outside Kmart in Sturt Mall and Tolland Shopping Centre.
The proposed Maxwell Downs renewable project includes buffers around waterways and native vegetation. Photo: X-ELIO.
“We suggested that if they want proper community consultation, they should hold it in Mangoplah, The Rock, and Uranquinty – where the solar farms are actually being proposed – not in central Wagga,” Mr Henderson said.
“It’s disappointing we were only given an hour to speak with them, and that was for invited neighbours only.”
“They just tried to steamroll us and had no interest in the community whatsoever.”
X-ELIO told Region there is still more work to be done after renewing its engagement with the Maxwell community.
“At our 20 March community meeting, we outlined how we have listened and responded to community concerns by refining the design, utilising topography, and increasing vegetative buffer zones,” a spokesperson said.
“The 90-minute session with Maxwell residents was just the start of ongoing renewed consultation, providing an initial opportunity for in-depth discussion with project neighbours.
“The planned pop-up stalls in Wagga Wagga were designed to provide general information to passers-by and were not meant to replace more detailed discussions with the local community. These discussions will continue as part of any project.”
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack, who also attended the meeting, criticised the time given to Maxwell residents while Wagga residents were given eight hours of consultations.
“That’s just not good enough. More needs to be done with a project of this scope and size,” Mr McCormack told Region.
“When X-ELIO comes out saying we’re going to put up a million-dollar trust fund … they can stick their million dollars where the sun don’t shine.
“It’s nothing in the grand scheme of things – not when you consider the impact of what they’re proposing.”
Mr McCormack expressed his frustration with the project’s State Significant status, which is riding roughshod over regional Australia.
“The bloody bureaucrats in Macquarie Street can ride roughshod over the local council and local community concerns, and nothing can be done now,” he said.
“Why should these projects be granted state significant status when the bar keeps getting lowered? Why shouldn’t local people and councils have a say?
“Development applications and local concerns don’t matter.
“People saw right through the bloke who spoke at the meeting – a professional from Melbourne with all the right words. They know when they’re being hoodwinked.”
Mr McCormack said X-ELIO’s meeting was all over the place, with people interjecting, and it was hard to hear.
“They didn’t cover themselves in glory. They could have done it and managed it a lot better. And if this is representative of their consultation process thus far, then it’s no wonder the people are upset.”
Mr McCormack said the nation’s food bowl shouldn’t have been chosen for solar farming projects, but in renewable energy zones.
“We only have so much arable land, and we need it to grow the world’s best food and fibre,” he said.
The Riverina MP also added that foreign companies’ solar farm proposals cause rifts within families, between mates and neighbours.
“It’s pure bastardry. That’s what they do – divide and conquer. They show up with their big chequebooks, turning people against each other, pitting neighbours’ views against one another.
“In the end, they tear apart local footy and tennis clubs, disrupt long-standing community groups, and fracture friendships that have lasted for years.
“These city-centric companies come in, throwing around their unwanted money, and leave country communities in turmoil. Quite frankly, they can go to hell.”
X-ELIO also added that while the new site area spans 1140 hectares, the solar farm itself remains unchanged and will continue to be limited to 570 hectares.
The Spanish company said the additional leased land will enhance screening, integrate the project into the landscape and can continue to be used for agricultural purposes.
Local residents are calling on their neighbours, landholders, and supporters from across the region to oppose X-ELIO’s revised Maxwell Solar Farm project.
All are welcome to a peaceful gathering to show community opposition to the project at Maxwell Park, 35 Maxwell Road, Wagga, on Tuesday at 9:30 am.
