Jindera Solar Farm

Dear Sir/Madam

Objection to Jindera Solar Farm – SSD 9549

I refer to the above State Significant Development currently open for exhibition and wish to make a submission OBJECTING to the development as outlined in the documents available on the NSW Department of Planning Major Project Portal.

My reasons for objection are as follows:

Loss of Agriculture
Our family strongly values agriculture through our business of farming and agricultural contracting. It is my view that agricultural land should be protected to retain food and fibre production in times when a significant part of our country is suffering from severe drought. Irrigation areas have encountered minimal allocations and the Murray Darling Basin is on its knees. Through sufficient rainfall and soils that are suitable for crop production, this area of Greater Hume has the capacity to produce whilst others are not. It must be considered that the cumulative impacts of drought added to the loss of agriculture for other reasons including large scale solar developments has a possible impact to the end consumer of increased food prices and limited availability. Instead of complaining about increased electricity prices people will soon by crying about food prices and a need to import food potentially may bring bio security risks such as Asia has seen with the African Swine Flu epidemic. Food security should be an increased emphasis at this time of agricultural struggle in our country and hence I object to the further loss of productive agricultural land. Fodder production in our state and country is also extremely important to protect and secure the retention of breeding livestock to ensure primary production can continue reliably into the future and provide for increasing food needs.
I must say that I do not believe that the suggestion of grazing some sheep around panels can be justified as the retention of agriculture and see this simply as a marketing effort by the developer. Land in Greater Hume has mixed farming capacity allowing for the growth of crops which enhances the productivity of the local area. If this area is covered in solar panels the capacity of production is diminished. Where will the sheep feed come from? Sheep do not generally do well on the nutritional quality of weeds that may potentially grow in the poor shaded soil that may occur under the panels? There is research that confirms that the soil is impacted by the installation of solar panels and also that micro climate impacts do exist. It is important to consider that finished lambs require good feed, where will the grain and hay come from to feed these sheep if the capacity to make these products no longer exists on the property covered in panels. There is absolutely no way that this property under panels could near equate to the carrying capacity as is at present.

Climate Change
There is much conjecture and conflicting research in relation to climate change however I understand one truth in relation to the changing climate and that is that IF Climate Change is true then the biggest impact will be a significant reduction in our countries capacity to grow food. If we want to believe that action is necessary in relation to Climate Change then that action should include a primary response to protect and secure reliable food production in this country and NSW. Personally, I wish to make it exceptionally clear that I am not opposed to renewable energy projects and am in favour of such developments WHEN they are placed in the correct location and not at the expense of agriculture that feeds our country.

Growth of Jindera & Aesthetic Impact
People living in the area of this development enjoy the rural and peaceful landscape of farming and agriculture.
Solar Farms are not:
Agriculture - defined as the science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products.
Nor are they,
Farms - defined as an area of land and its buildings, used for growing crops and rearing animals.
There should be no allowance for these developments to be called “Farms”, it is a misleading use of the term used inappropriately as marketing for these developments that are industrial installations.
Jindera has been a significant growth area of Greater Hume offering those looking for a country lifestyle the opportunity to enjoy the pleasing aesthetic landscape available in that area. The development of a large scale solar development will not only disturb that pleasure and the beautiful homes that the neighbours have worked hard to achieve but will also impact on further opportunities for growth in the future.
I strongly believe that if approved, this industrial development will cause significant impacts to the numerous receptors including possible mental health issues from the many impacts including aesthetics, dust, noise, financial impacts, devaluation that should not be underestimated. Many have worked hard to purchase and build homes to enjoy a rural lifestyle that will be significantly changed should such a large industrial type facility intrude into their community. Unfortunately, it is already too late for landowners to consider selling without an impact on saleability or value.
In addition, this development has caused significant fracture and community angst which is detrimental to the health and wellbeing of people living in the area.

Flora and Fauna
I understand that many trees require removal in the development of this project and that displacement of flora and fauna may be a result. Personally, I cannot understand when the push for renewables is a consideration to save the environment why we would cause great disruption to the environment to do so, it is hypocritical. This area is known to be the home of the squirrel glider, flame robin, curlews and many other wildlife species that should be protected and trees should not be removed to allow this development to proceed.

Ongoing Viability
It is my great concern that there is no scrutiny of the actual ability of the company to remain viable throughout the full course of the project or that the energy produced from this facility will actually be required to fulfil supply. There is no financial guarantee of remediation of the site at the end of its tenure or should the developer become insolvent. I understand that remediation would then become the responsibility of the landowner however this still provides no guarantee that there will be the financial capacity to remediate the site should insolvency occur. I have great concern that at some point in time there may be a solar waste land left for the community to deal with.

Traffic Impacts
The impact of increased traffic, specifically truck movements, through the township of Jindera warrants significant consideration to ensure the safety of townspeople in the main street and through the school zone. I have family at school in Jindera and often shop in the town and feel that these substantial truck movements will impact the single lane main street and the roundabout. Additionally, I have great concern that damage may potentially occur to Greater Hume roads from the significant truck movements in the area. The consequential financial impact this would have on Council may have a further affect on Councils ability to attend to the many other shire roads that are greatly in in need of repair.

Bush fire impacts
Many members of my family participate as volunteer members of the Rural Fire Service in our local brigade. I personally have great concern about the installation of these solar developments as brigade members have learned that Solar PV Plants have significant workplace health and safety issues to the point that they are being told that it may be unsafe to enter a Solar Plant due to high voltage, fumes and entrapment issues caused by infrastructure and fencing. It has been confirmed that members would be not be expected to enter the development and would be required to fight any fires on the outside perimeter should a fire in the plant occur. It is greatly concerning that with the township of Jindera in close proximity and the size of the development that the risks of fire to Rural Fire Service members, neighbouring landowners and the nearby township would appear greatly exacerbated by this development.

Conclusion
I wish for it to be noted that I strongly believe that there are many better places for these developments to be situated. Greater Hume, with its agricultural strength IS NOT THAT PLACE and as long as we allow the opportunistic approach of targeting existing transmission lines it does not push government to construct such lines in places where they would be more appropriately placed in the west or north of NSW where nothing grows. I understand that there is the argument of transmission loss and other factors however all business suffers from some loss and this is just the cost of doing business. There are many communities north and west struggling with minimal ability to produce agriculturally in these tough times of drought. These communities would benefit from solar development whilst in our area, after the construction period is complete, this development will result in a net loss to the community through the loss of agricultural production and agriculture’s multiplying benefits. Please, use some common sense and direct these developments to where they should be, NOT ON PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURAL LAND!!


As required, I hereby declare that I have not made any reportable political donations in the previous two years.

Please see attached.

Please see attached.

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Please see the PDF attachment for my submission.

I object to the proposed Jindera Solar Farm on the following grounds:

*The site is on reliable and productive agricultural land that is scarce and should be used for primary production. Having been well-acquainted with this area for over 70 years, I have never known a year when drought was so severe in the area that the land would not produce crops or fodder. It is far more reliable than many other areas of the state and I believe that solar farms should be built in areas where they are not competing with the production of food. There are plenty of other areas where these farms may be sited where there would be little competition. While is noted that grazing may occur during operation of the proposed solar farm, the carrying capacity would be significantly less than now.
* As the site is in a low lying area that is frequently affected by fog during winter it would be product less solar energy than if sited in a more suitable locality.
* The proposed solar farm would result in devastating effects to the natural environment. The soil will be disturbed during earthworks, creating dust across neighbouring areas which will reduce air quality and changing drainage patterns over the large site in the long-term. Sediments are likely to flow into the two creeks which lie within the site and which feed into Lake Hume. While it is stated that there are plans to manage erosion and contaminated soil run off into these creeks there is limited detail about the oversight of and monitoring of these plans and the mitigating measures. The construction of the solar farm will result in a significant loss of negative vegetation including the removal of more than 30 Yellow Box and Blakey's Gum trees, many of which are mature shade trees that attract local birds and animals. I do not believe that any credits or mitigation measures can replace mature shade trees in a short period of time. The loss of mature trees on this site will create a negative visual effect and result in the loss of the natural habitat of many native species.
* The effects of solar farms on the climate in the locality of the farm are largely unknown in the Australian context. My investigation found very limited information and I consider that more research into this aspect is required before claims can be made that there would be no adverse effects on properties bordering the proposed solar farm.
* There is likely to be a negative economic effect on some members of the local community. Many people wish to live in the area because it is visually attractive and is close to Albury. They seek lifestyle properties and have paid relatively high prices for their land. They did not expect an industrial development to be built in close proximity and are concerned about the impact of the solar farm on the value of their properties. Some are likely to lose money if this development goes ahead. Prospective buyers of properties are unlikely to want to live close to a solar farm so the value of local land will decrease. It would be more appropriate to build solar farms in areas where there is light industry or where people who have established their lives in a locality are not disadvantaged economically.
* The increased traffic during construction would make travel on local roads during this time far more difficult and hazardous.

While I fully support the move to renewable energy sources I feel strongly that this should be properly planned for so that scarce reliable agricultural land is not taken away from production of food, that the environment is not damaged and that existing communities are not disadvantaged. Because of likely negative effects listed above, I do not support the proposal for the Jindera Solar Farm.

Please find attached submission stating formal objection to the proposed development of the Jindera Solar Farm SSD 9549.

Attached is the submission from the CWA of NSW : Jindera Solar Farm.

I live near to the proposed Jindera Solar plant. Whenever I travel to Jindera, which is the closest town to me, I will travel past it.

I know the land owners and for them the lease of their land for the solar farm will be a better return than from their current primary production use, so for them it is a very good business decision, and good luck to them. I am very concerned and upset that they have been subject to threats for accepting the offer to lease their land - this is a disgrace as the families concerned are long term residents and active community-minded people.

Many local residents are worried about this proposal. They currently live in a rural setting, mostly zoned for farming. It's hard to rationalise the use of farming zone land for a semi-industrial purpose and the by-passing of normal development application processes. For what it's worth these are my thoughts on the Jindera solar plant proposal -

1. If it is to go ahead I believe all residents within 500 metres of the solar plant should receive free electricity during the life of the plant (note - this will not include me as I live about 4 kilometres away). This will give locals some compensation for the loss of their existing locality.
2. If it goes ahead, there should be very limited destruction of native trees currently on the land. Without these existing fully grown trees the solar plant will look like a lunar landscape rather than a rural setting.
3. If it goes ahead there should be a barrier of trees and shrubs planted on the perimeter of the sites. There should be protections built in that ensure that the barrier is properly maintained and dead plants replaced throughout the life of the solar plant.
4. If it goes ahead there should not be an ugly security fence surrounding the sites. I visited the Nyngan solar plant and the solar panels were quite low and unobstrusive, but the surrounding security fence was an eye sore and looked out of place. If there is to be a security fence it should be inside the barrier of trees, so once the barrier of trees is grown the fence will not be seen.
5. If it goes ahead the surrounding roads will be damaged during the construction phase with heavy trucks and machinery. It is most unfair if the developers are not required to make a sizable contribution to the Greater Hume Shire in order to upgrade and maintain local roads and towards any other community improvements.
6. I understand that the Jindera Solar Plant is regarded as a project of state significance as part of the continued development of renewable energy. I hope the process of approval includes a proper assessment of the developers and the entity used to do the development. Hopefully the entity is not a $2 company with limited liability that can be made insolvent by the real developers at a later time if it suits them - there should be formal guarantees and warranties from the real developers in support of the project as part of the approval process.

With kind regards

Greg Mason

Good farming land will be taken up for this project that is still profitable when NSW is in drought. I live in the area and it is good farming land that can produce good crops livestock to help feed the population. With the drought areas like this in NSW are few and far between.
I am worried it will make a micro climate effect and make it hotter. I really do not think the roads in the area are not up to scratch with all the traffic this project will bring. This will cause a drop in the land value of neighbouring properties and land like this would normally be sought after. This will mean beautiful farming land will be turned into an industrial zone that will not be as pleasing to the eye. I am not looking forward to driving past this every day if this goes ahead. This is not what our area is about.
To run a good farm you need to put money into lots of local services, stock agents, agronomists, farm machinery and vehicle servicing etc these will lose out. The money from these projects will go back overseas, and not back into our local community.
I am not against renewable energy like solar, but I just believe this is not the place for it.

As per attachment.

I support this project. It’s sustainable agriculture and addressing climate change.

I support this development. Forward thinking farmers creating a solution for future agricultural land use for our futures

My objection to the Jindera solar farm is attached

My opposition to the proposal is included in the attachment

The attachment registers my opposition to the Jindera solar farm