Mick Henderson stands in front of prime agriculture land in Maxwell planned to be used for solar farming. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
A Wagga farmer has expressed concern that the recent approval of a solar farm at Burkes Creek will open the floodgates for similar developments across the Riverina, further eroding prime agricultural land.
“We saw the Uranquinty plans get thrown out, but you can bet that with the approval of Burkes Creek, that will be coming back,” former Wagga councillor Mick Henderson said.
“It leaves so many farmers with the question, how many solar farms are there going to be?”
The battle over solar farm developments across rural Australia has pitted farmers against all levels of government and their desire to achieve net zero (equalising the amount of greenhouse gases emitted to and removed from the atmosphere). This is achieved in part by developing forms of green energy such as solar farms, which do not produce air pollution.
Farmers have expressed concerns about solar farms affecting values of neighbouring properties and affecting high value agricultural land. They have also said there has been a lack of consultation from developers and governments.
Mr Henderson has been a leading voice in the campaign against the farms.
In opposition to the approved Burkes Creek site development application, he wrote to Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr to stand against the construction of the site and oppose any others being built in the Wagga local government area, including two planned for Uranquinty and Mangoplah.
“The general consensus of every farmer in the area, is firmly against the [Burkes Creek] development,” Mr Henderson said.
“The only person in favour of the solar farm is the applicant and Wagga Wagga City Council [WWCC]. It’s incredibly frustrating that we have everyone, including the state member Dr Joe McGirr speaking out against the development, but WWCC still feel the need to go ahead in hopes of reaching net zero, which they will never achieve.
“Council gets paid by the ratepayers and are supposed to represent them, yet the ratepayers who live on the farms and the land affected are begging them not to.
“They’re not looking after their own community. They’re saying that solar farms are becoming the norm for rural areas. It’s exactly like the issues with Inland Rail and the rail line.”
WWCC told Region it had advised residents about the recent approval.
“Landowners surrounding the site of the proposed development were sent letters, details of the application were published on council’s website and an advertisement was placed on the subject site,” a WWCC spokesperson said.
“The development application was initially placed on public notification for a mandatory 14-day period, which was extended for an additional three weeks to allow more time for submissions to be made.
“Members of the public made submissions regarding the development application, which were considered by the planning panel. Wagga Wagga City Council is preparing correspondence to all members of the public that made submissions informing them of the panel’s decision.
“Council is also currently preparing the formal development consent notice in accordance with the panel’s determination. Upon finalisation of this notice, it will be issued to the applicant and will be made available on council’s website.”
WWCC sent letters to farmers with the development consent notice and public notification late last week.
