Tristrum Rodham is concerned about the impacts a planned neighbouring solar farm may have on his family’s agricultural land in Uranquinty. Photos: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
In the heart of Riverina’s agricultural landscape, the Rodham family has been farming since 1898.
But they say the future of this enterprise could be under threat after learning from a neighbour that a solar farm will be built next door – something the family says the local council didn’t consult them about.
“I could lose my farm over this,” Tristrum Rodham told Region.
“The problem is that we can’t get insurance with the solar farms. We already have $20 million in public liability. We might be able to go higher, but it costs us a higher premium.
“Why should I have to pay for that? Why am I being penalised? Twenty million won’t cover if a fire starts on my place and gets onto the solar farm. I could lose my farm and still not cover the cost.
“It could be an accidental fire, like a lightning strike, and if it jumps onto the neighbouring property, it falls on me. That seems unfair.”
Loading ...His family is among the many Wagga Wagga farmers fighting against proposed local, state, and federal solar farming projects in the Riverina. They have expressed concerns about the lack of proper consultation and these projects’ long-term agricultural and environmental impacts.
“There’s a solar farm going right next to our boundary, and we haven’t been told anything about it,” said Mr Rodham, who runs his agribusiness with his father and uncle.
“We’ve had no notification, no paperwork, no development application, nothing from the council about this.”
Region contacted Wagga Wagga City Council to ask why the Rodhams were not informed about the solar farming construction next to their property.
“Council staff identified approximately 150 properties in the area surrounding the solar farm project on Oxley Bridge Road in Uranquinty to notify about the project,” a spokesperson said.
“Letters were mailed to the owners of those properties.”
Mr Rodham said he never received a letter from the council.
“The owner of the property [near us] mentioned something about solar panels over the fence to my uncle – just that he was thinking about it,” Mr Rodham said. ”That was two years ago, and that’s all we ever heard.”
With only about three metres between the Rodhams’ property and the neighbouring one, which will soon have solar panels, Mr Rodham expressed concerns about the potential impacts on his land.
“Solar panels haven’t been around long enough for us to know the long-term effects. It’s prime rural land and agricultural land,” he said.
“What do we need more – food or power? It’s a tough subject. And with our livestock, there’s talk that it could affect our livestock.
“We may need to notify buyers that there’s a solar farm next door, which could downgrade our stock’s value. We might not get as much money as other people.”
Insurance concerns, however, were hosed down by Australia Institute senior research fellow David Richardson.
He said that according to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), insurers did not have specific concerns about a property hosting transmission lines or neighbouring energy infrastructure.
“It says there are no known instances where ICA members have been unable to provide insurance or have increased premiums as a result of a farm or a neighbouring property hosting energy infrastructure,” Mr Richardson said.
“The ICA also lists various matters that landowners should consult with their insurer before entering into any agreement with an energy project operator.
“The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner has issued guidelines setting out the responsibilities of project operators and landholders with respect to transmission lines. Generally, it seems the landholder is not responsible for insuring and maintaining energy infrastructure, and any damage is appropriately covered by the project operator.
“The ICA stresses that landholders seek ‘independent legal, financial, valuation and insurance advice’ with respect to any energy infrastructure dealings they may have. Local landowners and other interested parties might also consider inviting the ICA, major insurers, and project sponsors to public meetings to discuss their concerns.”
Solar farm construction is underway on prime agricultural land in Uranquinty.
Mr Rodham’s comments about potentially losing his farm comes after Energy Safe Victoria ordered five solar farms in western Victoria to switch off due to bushfire concerns following a fire that broke out inside a solar inverter and spread into the long grass under the panels.
Mr Rodham said he wasn’t against renewable energy, but said it should not be at the expense of farming land.
“It’s good to have renewables, but they should be in the right location, not on prime agricultural land,” he said.
“I would have thought food should come before power. We’re the food bowl of Australia.
“It’s not like Australia is short on land. There’s plenty of land for this kind of development.”
The Rodhams have been mixed farmers in the Riverina for nearly 130 years and deeply involved in the Wagga community for generations.
“My father and I have been in the Rural Fire Brigade. We’re out volunteering for hours, looking after the Uranquinty community in fires,” he said.
“We’ve been here for generations, and now I’ve got young kids myself. I’m working towards the same thing – to keep the family farm going.
“But it’s getting harder and harder to make it work. What’s going to happen to our kids? It feels like we’re hitting a brick wall with all these other things going on. It’s frustrating.”
