Middlebrook Solar Farm

I appose the proposal of a solar farm on good farming country in the Middlebrook area. It is outrageous that the government would approve such a project in a beautiful farming valley which is home to many people. The solar farm would be an eyesore and pollute the views of farms and lifestyle blocks. It will have a dramatic effect on land prices trapping many families who have worked and saved to buy their piece of paradise only to have this hideous dump of panels built on their doorstep. This is fertile land designed for growing crops and grazing stock, its produce helping to feed our nation. Solar farms should never be considered by our government on productive land, instead there are vast areas of marginal and arid land in Australia which are unpopulated and where solar panels would have minimal impact on the land. Please take your solar farms there and away from our community. Solar farms are also built with infrastructure such as additional powerlines. These will undoubtedly be built through many more farms and lifestyle blocks, again reducing land prices in these corridors impacting on a much wider community. Do not build a solar farm in the Middlebrook area!

This is prime farming land, that only gives to the land and environment.
This Solar Farm will never add to its environment built in naturally. With man made structures de valuing the land scape and properties.
It will disrupt the natural biodiversity of the region and all within 10 or so years need to be replaced and go back into land fill.

I acknowledge the significance of transitioning to sustainable energy. However, it is crucial to carefully consider the placement of such developments within designated zones determined by democratically elected governments. These zones should be identified as unsuitable for other types of production, have low population density, and ensure minimal negative impacts on local residents to prioritize productivity, food security, and fairness.
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) fails to adequately consider the impact of increased traffic on local roads. Middlebrook Road and Marsden Park Road are often in poor condition, particularly after rainfall or heavy vehicle activity. The assumption that all traffic will use Middlebrook Road is impractical, and I believe Marsden Park Road will also experience a rise in traffic, particularly for vehicles coming from the east or eastern suburbs of Tamworth. These two dirt roads are frequently used for recreational activities by local residents, including children, and I am concerned about the dangers presented by the increased traffic.

Additionally, the increased traffic on the New England Highway is a significant concern due its importance in the region and for through-traffic heading south or north to Armidale and Brisbane. The Traffic Impact Assessment does not adequately address the issue of increased hazards caused by large vehicles and turning vehicles. I am worried that there are no plans to implement left turn lanes, despite the expected increase in traffic during construction. The suggestion of implementing speed limits instead of left turn lanes would be strongly opposed by the local community, as it would inconvenience residents and prioritize the developers' profit margins.

Regarding the Middlebrook Solar Farm, its proposed location lies outside the designated New England Renewable Energy Zone and is surrounded by valuable and productive livestock farming properties. Constructing the solar farm on sloping land amidst relatively small landholdings will make it highly visible to several neighbors. Additionally, the existing road network is inadequate to support the increased traffic from industrial construction. Considering these factors, the proposed location is not suitable for an industrial solar farm.

The NSW EnergyCo website emphasizes that REZs are intended to provide benefits, including strategic planning, engagement practices, and formalized benefit sharing arrangements to ensure the host community benefits. However, no formalized benefit sharing arrangement has been presented by the project proponent. I am concerned that developments like this one, proposed outside designated REZs, may be subject to fewer stringent requirements and less formal processes, resulting in harm to local communities without corresponding benefits. I am worried that there hasn't been any strategic planning for these types of developments in the Loomberah area. This is evident from the developer's failure to consider how both this development and the neighboring Acacia development, which is still in the early planning stages, will impact each other.
I disagree with the Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) that claims the Middlebrook Road/Marsden Park area has low visual quality. The area is actually quite scenic, with its mix of lush grazing land and attractive hills. However, I do acknowledge that the VIA states the solar panels will be highly noticeable from both the road and nearby residences. I believe this kind of industrial development does not align with the rural character of the area.

If the proposed industrial development were to proceed, the charm and tranquility of the region would be compromised. The picturesque views of the farmland that currently delight both residents and visitors would be replaced by an extensive array of solar panels, a carpark, and a substation. These changes would significantly alter the neighborhood's aesthetics. Additionally, the Visual Impact Statement presented in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) does not fully address the visual impact of the substation or the proposed carpark, which makes it difficult to accurately evaluate the effects on the countryside's character. It seems that adjusting the positioning of certain elements of the development, such as placing the substation further from the road to partially screen it with a hill on the property, could potentially lessen the visual impact. However, no such proposals have been put forth. These alternative methods should be looked at further.
I have a significant worry regarding the destruction of valuable, fertile land used for primary production. The valley contains exceptionally well-developed and productive farmland, making it highly unsuitable for an industrial project like this.
I hope you will carefully consider my objections to this project as it should not go ahead in this location.

I believe it is vital that this solar farm be rethought for the sake of the local resident. The negative impact of this solar farm will harmful to local farm, increasing dust in the air, traffic noise and farm their water supply. In addition to this the local landscape will be runtimes. It is such beautiful country and this man made solar farm will take away an aesthetic and recreational pleasure. It will lead to decreased tourism and camping in the area impacting the local town and shops and again negatively impacting the local environment.

Our family, our land, our history, our future. Destroyed by a large scale infrastructure project. I object due to the prime agricultural land being taken and used to erect large metal objects to harvest more from the earth then we should have to.

Objection to Middlebrook Solar Farm - (SUB-60803486)
It is imperative the Tamworth Region Council listen to the voices of the local Loomberah community in regard to the Middlebrook Solar Farm proposal.
My family and I have been visiting and enjoying this incredibly beautiful area for many years. It is always a highlight during the school holidays to get out of the city and visit our family farm. My children have been given the chance to experience this area of Australia's landscape and appreciate the biodiversity of the Loomberah area.
If Tamworth Regional Council allow this project to go ahead it will detract from rural amenity and the farm experience we know and love. Additionally, it will threaten the operation of nearby farms through the increase in dust in the area as well as the real possibility to threaten the water supply through the runoff from the solar panels. This in turn will impact the local water courses.
Multiple times a year our family enjoy this area and I believe the Solar Farm will have a negative impact on our stays. It will negatively impact our enjoyment of camping in the rural area as well as negatively impacting our family gatherings with the loss of panoramic views and serenity.
If this Solar Farm is approved, there are real concerns about the increase in traffic and noise, along with the demise of good agricultural land, not to mention the reduction in the value of the nearby properties. Tamworth Regional Council must listen to the local residents of Loomerah. If this Solar Farm is approved it will have a negative impact on this local area.
The nearby farms are highly productive with high livestock and crop productivity including lucerne hay production. These farms and their productivity will be directly impacted by dust pressures. Another real concern the Council must address is the potential labour shortages generated by this project and the demands it will impose on the local area.
I am strongly opposed to the location of the Middlebrook Solar Farm and believe the Tamworth Regional Council must listen to the local Loomberah community which will be impacted, and continue to look for a more appropriate area to build such a large solar farm.

The decision to take away prime farming land is beyond me. How sustainable is that? 750 000 panels after 25 yrs how will they dispose of them? Farming land is so important yes Australia is large in area but not with prime agricultural productive soil. If these projects must go ahead they need to be on unproductive soil. Devastating to watch thousands of acres of prime farming lost to solar panels.

I have been made aware of a major Solar Farm project currently under consideration - the Middlebrook Solar Farm - in the Tamworth region.

As a Tourism Operator our experience shows that the Tamworth Region has developed significantly as a farm stay and farm tourism destination with its quiet peaceful and environmentally clean rural surroundings with impressive rural panoramas, undulating grazing country with picturesque hill backdrops.

Our clients find stays in these rural areas to be relaxing and ‘rejuvenating’ and the rural outlooks, without the intrusion of industrialisation (such as a massive solar farm), attracts many visitors to the region. Should the Middlebrook Solar Farm proceed, significant sections of the Tamworth regional economy will be impacted. The loss of the ‘rural character’ of this area will see a reduction in the tourism attractiveness of Tamworth as a destination.

In our market, seniors and families, choose to visit Tamworth to escape the industrialised/urbanized areas of the Hunter Valley - a city escape to the countryside which is scenically attractive & inviting.

As well the impact of such a development will increase the stress and mental health considerations of the local community who have spent many years living in a quiet clean environment relying on the fruits of their labour from the fertile and very productive soils of the area. This lifestyle will be destroyed by having the development of a massive solar farm on their neighbouring properties. This is a complete change of outlook for these community members, some who have lived and worked on their farms for several generations.

We are writing to express our concern and disappointment at the proposed Middlebrook Solar Farm.
For many years some of our family members have owned prosperous rural farming operations in the area closely adjacent to the proposed Solar Farm. The property has been a destination for our family for vacations, Christmas and Easter holidays and a place for a family escape to the country. Our children learnt to ride horses, drive tractors and enjoyed learning about country life. Looking after the cattle dogs and experiencing life on a property producing quality beef cattle. It is now our grand children’s turn to enjoy these experiences.

As this is a quiet rural area, it is a place to escape the industrialisation/urbanisation of their place of residence. Please don’t destroy the appeal of our family property by approving the neighbouring solar farm - it will impact on views from our property; it will generate traffic on our country roadways and lanes; it will generate noise and dust. Roads around the property are unsealed and have not been designed or constructed (even single lane bridges/culverts) to cater for the significant traffic generation during construction of the solar farm or its ongoing maintenance and operation.
Throughout Australia currently there are labour shortages in many industries. How will forming operations, such as the one operated by our family, be able to source seasonal labour, in competition with the labour demands of the solar farm.

Sid Fogg Coaches is a large Tour & Charter Coach Company based in Newcastle. Our Company regularly takes groups to Tamworth for sporting, business, cultural and educational activities. Tamworth, because of its rural country nature, has wide appeal for groups from the urbanized/industrial/manufacturing/mining regions of the Hunter Valley, Newcastle & Central Coast regions.

Tamworth has limited accommodation facilities for large groups and I am concerned that during the lengthy construction phase of the solar project, suitable accommodation for groups will not be available, impacting on other economic sectors of the Tamworth regional economy.

As a major operator in the group tourism market, Sid Foggs is concerned about the impact that the Middlebrook Solar Farm will have on our group tourism business and the Tamworth Regional economy.

This section of land is good quality agricultural suitable land, we need to look beyond this development to food production requirements for our country not chase Ridiculous climate change targets at the expense of food production land, there is too much of this happening already What the development hopes to achieve here will have infinitesimal if any impact on our climate control charge I am against these developments in such areas. Find unusable land that doesn’t take from farming land.

Due to the adverse business impacts and financial loss the local Loomberah community will experience, I object to the development (SSD-10455).

The significant development lodged by Middlebrook Solar Farm will disrupt nearby properties' high-value agricultural farming operations through increased traffic, dust, noise and lost productive farmland. The proposal to place a solar farm in this area is the wrong location.

The development must be reevaluated to safeguard the well-being of residents, businesses and the broader agricultural industry. Meaningful community consultation should be at the forefront when designing large, impactful projects. This hasn't been the case for this project.

My concern is compounded by the likely adverse impacts on stock health from the stresses of the traffic, noise and dust. Renewable energy developments must consider the local livelihoods, community and agricultural practices of the Loomberah area and neighbouring regions that contribute so much to NSW and Australia. With the rush to roll out renewable projects across the region, small local voices are being ignored.

I am formally objecting to the Middlebrook Solar farm for the reasons below
NOT in the New England REZ zone.
*Degradation of highly valuable agricultural land that produces beef, sheep and crops.
*Industrialisation of the beautiful highly sought after Loomberah landscape.
*Loss of value on surrounding properties
* High volumes and increase in vehicles on the Middlebrook Road, which already has a poor surface and requires additional maintenance.
*400 staff working onsite per day, where are these skilled staff coming from? Tamworth does not have the available workforce for this project which means they will be bringing in people from other towns.
*Tamworth does not have the accomodation resources to cater for this increase in people to town. The rental vacancy rate is already extremely low, there is nowhere for extra staff to live currently.
* increased pressure on failing local healthcare and local hospital system.
*Poor compensation offered to affected to neighbours.
* again NOT in any REZ area.
* completely wrong place for the project.

This project will drastically drop the value of adjoining properties and bean eyesore for the landowners in the area. I also understand that the proposed solar farm is on land that is not a renewable energy zone. Surely there is a more appropriate area for such a project to take place that won't directly affect the livelihood of surrounding land owners

I wish to lodge my objection to The Middlebrook Solar Farm being built in the Loomberah area. The noise, dust and damage to quality farm land would be devastating. To loose so much quality farm land for a Solar Farm that only has a 30 year life span seems a waste of such prime agricultural land.

My family visits this area throughout the year. We enjoy the peace and quite with no traffic, which would change if the Middlebrook Solar Farm was to go ahead, as well as the loss of such beautiful landscapes. We have had many family gatherings in this area - farm stays experiencing the rural lifestyle, generations of our family have enjoyed this land and wish to continue our traditions into the future.

I am aware that the nearby farms are highly productive with high livestock and crop productivity including lucerne hay production which will be impacted by dust.

The damage to the local road ways with more traffic would affect many people.

NSW has lost so much prime farmland to Coal Mines over the years, I wouldn’t like to see more farm land lost and now it could be lost to a Solar Farm. I am sure there would be other areas this Solar Farm could be placed to stop the loss to good agricultural land.

Please don’t let this Solar Farm go ahead in the Loomberah area.