A proposed solar farm near Coleambally is set to be scaled back. Photo: Spark Renewables.
A proposal to build two million solar panels at a property between Coleambally and Jerilderie is set to be scaled back, after a public submissions process resulted in 82 community objections.
The company Spark Renewables says it will reduce the development footprint of its Dinawan Solar Farm from 2499 hectares (ha) to 1792 ha, a 28 per cent reduction. It says this will create “opportunities for further avoidance of environmental impacts”.
Those opposed to the development cited concerns such as devaluing neighbouring property, wasting prime agricultural land, water and environmental contamination, bushfire risk and poor value for taxpayer dollars.
The aim of the Spark Renewables project is to generate and dispatch electricity from renewable sources. The company claims it will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of more than 300,000 NSW households. Its plan is to build solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity and a battery energy storage system, which absorbs the energy so it can be used at a later time.
Before such projects can go ahead, companies are often required to exhibit their plans publicly and invite submissions, which Spark Renewables did in late 2023.
Every one of the 82 submissions received from the public objected to the development.
“The project will enormously impact and destruct the unique native flora, fauna and biodiversity of the area, pose significant potential fire danger to neighbouring landholders and agricultural businesses,” Jerilderie resident Julie Sleigh wrote in her submission.
“Additionally, the devaluation of productive agricultural land and neighbouring land is not to be underestimated. Why would any potential landholder in years to come invest in an asset which is an eyesore with end of life complications?
“This project is creating enormous social anxiety and stress amongst neighbouring landholders who value and are caring custodians of their land.”
Spark Renewables are also planning a development near Wentworth. Photo: Facebook.
Leeton’s Jeanine Bird was even stronger in expressing her objections.
“This is not sustainable as you well know and is designed to transfer wealth from Australians to overseas entities. This will contaminate our regional environment, building on the ‘renewa-bull’ systems which are already in place,” she wrote.
Spark Renewables summarised and addressed many of the concerns in a report it prepared in response to the submissions. It said most of the submissions it received were from people living outside the immediate area and that it was doing all it could to mitigate risks. The company concluded that it was in the public interest for its project to go ahead.
“Were this project not to proceed, the project’s benefits, including contributions to the generation of renewable energy and increased energy security, would not be realised,” the report stated.
“Renewable energy generation and storage projects are needed in NSW and the project is proposed in a highly suitable location that makes optimal use of existing transmission infrastructure and minimises the need for additional grid connection infrastructure. The environmental and social impacts of the project can be readily managed with the application of practical mitigation measures.”
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