MOD 2 - Project Layout Changes

I object to solar farms being built near residental propertys.
Place solar farms away from populated areas. The Walla project is far to big and the solar farm should be kept at least one km from neighbours boundaries.

I object to an increase in the solar array and development footprint'
I object to peoples lives being ruined by being surrounded by solar panels. .Build solar farms in more remote areas for example Urana and keep our populated farming areas free of contamination.
700000 panell solar farms should be out in remote areas and not in a tightly held community like Walla.

I object to an increase in the solar array and development footprint
I Object to solar farms being placed on prime agricultural land.
The Walla solar farm is far to big and should not be expanded.
The Walla area is a great place to live and lets keep it that way.

I don't think the amendments should be approved. They have now requested multiple amendments which shows a lack of planning/professionalism/proper due diligence by FRV and NGH. If companies are allowed to slap anything together to gain approval and then just adjust and adjust and adjust until they get what they want what is the point in putting neighbor's/communities through all of this. They are building a road through their project ALL construction traffic should use it. They adjusted their panel numbers last time leave the vegetation where it is and if they have to replace panels just put them back where they were removed from. Why pull out more vegetation and move them if they already had a place? Who will have the responsibility to monitor traffic, plantings, livestock, weed control, waste, etc.. council doesn't have the staff and it shouldn't be left to neighbor's. What are the penalties if they send too many vehicles down the road??? Just say no!

I don't support the amendments. The road is not able to cope with current traffic let alone the already approved traffic for the project. They are building a road through their project they should use that because that's what they promised neighbors and community members they would do. The removed panels and said they didn't need them and the technology made it possible if they miscalculated (which would be highly unlikely given how "experienced they are" - yes that was dripping in sarcasm) too bad too sad. looking at the map I can see one residence that can see the new panels they claim aren't visible to anyone. They shouldn't be able to encroach on the creek line as this is how most waist will go from their place to neighboring properties. Where are the hydrology reports indicating what these changes including the removal of more trees, woodland and building and additional creek crossing will have on neighbors? Don't approve the changes companies like FRV know better and should be held accountable so they do better.

No Changes should be approved.

FRV has had ample time to plan this project prior to gaining initial approval. At no time did they declare that there environmental studies were not able to be conducted at appropriate times (they insisted that they had conducted all assessments correctly and in great detail). Now they claim that the new studies which coincidently work out in their favor are done correctly.
Previously they had insisted the removal of around 200000 panels didn't affect their ability to achieve their plated MW. Now they claim they need 50000 more panels to achieve their plated MW. They have stated they aren't affected by fog but again now they are and need to extra panels. They have often stated how experienced they are at building solar farms and again did so in the start of this current application for modification but are now asking for more modifications. It seems as though they said what they needed to in order to get approved by the IPC and are now they are finally getting to what they wanted.
If they intend to construct the road through the project for use by the "majority" of traffic why do they need to seek approval to increase traffic on Benambra Road. This to me is concerning as who will be monitoring traffic numbers on Benambra Road I certainly don't trust FRV. The condition of this road after 15mm of rain has been appalling/dangerous with just local traffic it will be an absolute quagmire with additional heavy/oversize vehicles running down it. During the week 8/5/2022 Benambra Road was graded by council. By 12/05/2022 we had had 15MM of rain and was dangerous to travel at 50km an hour. The school bus has been avoiding travelling down it until it dries out. Surely if they have a second creek crossing they also have a second road through the project wo they can manage traffic using their road or APZ's around the inside edge of the project without further affecting neighbours, existing road users and destroying Benambra Road in the process. Remembering of course they have done this many times and are experienced professionals.

12. Please clarify the larger extent (far greater than the out of context 30m referenced) impacts to surrounding food producers of the 'Heat Island Effect' commensurate with the large-scale of Metka's Electricity Generating Works as supported by reputable, independent, peer reviewed research. This has not been determined prior to approval.

*There are unfortunately now numerous, operational, large-scale PV Solar Electricity Generating Works in the Riverina - detrimentally impacting surrounding food producers & residents with measurable, increased heat effects.
These sites provide ample opportunity to enable reputable, independant, peer reviewed, Australian research to clarify the yet to be determined extent of the already well proven 'Heat Island Effect' on the local micro-climate of impacted areas - due to the operation of large-scale PV Solar Electricity Generating Works.
The detrimental impacts on production loss, effects on pollination, hastened insect development cycle & threatened viability of life forms for surrounding landholders/residents impacted are yet to be assessed appropriately according to scale by Wagga Wagga Council, JRPP, NSW DPIE, the Federal Government & yet to be compensated for in Metka's development plans.
References cited from Professor Greg Barron-Gafford's Arizona research has proven the 'Heat Island Effect' in relation to his very small PV Solar site.
However, as Barron-Gafford advised during dialogue with Peter Hall - during the Shepparton Solar Hearing, the 'Heat Island Effect' would be far greater - commensurate with the extensive size of other PV Solar Electricity Generating Works - such as Metka EGN's Solar Electricity Generating Works & also have climatic variations.
As Professor Greg Barron-Gafford also clearly stated that further research was definitely needed to determine the actual scale of resulting impacts, it is essential that this is fully clarified & accounted for prior to approval/construction/operation.

Thank you for your response.

Yours Sincerely,

Failure of Developers, Council Planners, JRPP, NSW DPIE, IPCN & the Federal Government to Acknowledge, Assess, Mitigate the Detrimental Impacts From Solar E G Works.
A Metka EGN meeting held with the local Bomen/Eunony Valley community - 7th Sept. 2021, revealed that - like all other solar developers, the panel of Metka EGN representatives could not or would not answer a single one of the following questions.
FRV have also failed to factually address these questions & are inappropriately not even providing any assurance bonds (unexpected storm/fire event clean up & decommissioning) which are essential prior to construction .

These questions all require factual answers using reputable, independent, peer reviewed, Australian scientific research & comprehensive, transparent plans accepted by Greater Hume Council & ratepayers - prior any approval of FRV's Solar Electricity Generating Works.
To date, this has never occurred with Council, NSW DPIE & IPCN irresponsibly just trusting the developers.

Questions For Metka EGN Community Meeting - 7th Sept. 2021.

Dear Lluvia Murillo,
Would you please provide specific detail & clarification verbally during our community meeting & in writing in answer to the following questions:-

Metka EGN's PV Solar Panel Origin & Toxicity Guarantee
1. What is the exact brand & place of manufacture for Metka's PV Solar panels for Wagga North & Wagga South Solar Electricity Generating Works - full name, address & contact details of manufacturer.

*Please identify the complete supply chain for all components which are used to process & manufacture Metka EGN's PV Solar panels.

*Are Metka EGN's Canadian Solar panels sourced from/linked to Xinjiang - enslaved Uyghurs workforce & genocide?

2. Please provide a comprehensive list of all molecular compounds/chemical elements contained in Metka EGN's PV Solar panels (including all of the components which make up the panel,) so this can be reviewed & confirmed by independent scientists.
That is, the atoms and molecules involved in the electrical components, the film, the silicon cells, the frame, etc. of these Metka EGN PV Solar panels.

3. Please provide exact clarification of the Toxicity Rating & Usage Suitability of these Metka EGN PV Solar panels as indicated in their manufacturer's product disclosure/description information paperwork & on their original packaging.

*If Metka EGN claims their panels are non-toxic, please provide Metka EGN's Non-Toxic Assurance & legally binding Guarantee to the Community & all Wagga Wagga Councillors - with supporting documentation of the same from the manufacturer.

4. Please provide Australian Accreditation Approval according to Australian Standards for these Metka EGN PV Solar panels, specifically in relation to toxicity risk potential for land/water & suitability midst food production.

*This cannot be the Clean Energy Council as It is totally inappropriate to have the solar/wind industry funded Clean Energy Council accrediting itself.

5. Please provide the reputable, peer reviewed, independent Australian research from the NSW Government & Federal Government to prove that Metka EGN's Wagga North & Wagga South Solar Electricity Generating Works will not contaminate the land/water on site or in the surrounding district, including the Murrumbidgee Floodplain/River.

*This research must include the typical scenarios during placement - cadmium washing from intact solar panels, hail fractured, damaged, degrading, inferior, aged, burnt PV Solar panels - with hail being a common occurrence in this rural area, bushfires also quite common & made much more likely with Metka's presence & the other typical ongoing inevitabilities.

*This likely/inevitable, serious/irreversible contamination risk is yet to be assessed in the approval process for Metka EGN's Wagga North & Wagga South Solar Electricity Generating Works by Wagga Wagga Council Planner & the Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel - who have both purposely excluded it, despite objector's ongoing concerns.

*Hence, valid scientific determination of this obvious environmental risk is required prior to approval/construction/operation.

*This is an extremely negligent failure as according to the POEO Act - the Local Regulatory Authority - Wagga Wagga Council is responsible/liable for any land/water contamination/pollution caused by Metka's Solar Electricity Generating Works.
In effect, this is us as ratepayers!

6. What therefore, is Wagga Wagga Council's compliance regime regarding Wagga North & Wagga South Solar Electricity Generating Works?
Please provide Wagga Wagga Councillor's response to all objectors, & the Wagga Wagga community ratepayers.

7. Prior to construction/operation, how is Metka EGN able to prove, ensure & guarantee that Wagga Wagga North & Wagga Wagga South Solar Electricity Generating Works will be returned to its inherent capability - ie. able to be used as food resource land, when the toxic contamination risk of Metka EGN's PV Solar panels is yet to be assessed/determined by Wagga Wagga Council, JRPP, NSW DPIE, NSW EPA, the Federal Government or any other reputable, independent, Australian body?
*Extensive overseas research highlights this heavy-metal leachate risk, with the Federal Environment Minister Susan Ley also acknowledging this risk in response to recent questions regarding large-scale PV Solar: - that "there's a looming environmental contamination disaster which might well mean that a disused panel sits in a poor landfill situation & starts to leach heavy metal chemicals" (25th August 2021 ABC Riverina.)

8. Besides the extraordinarily significant costs that would be borne by Wagga Wagga Council - regarding potential for litigation - if surrounding producer's livelihoods & that of future generations are destroyed or impacted in any way by contamination from Metka EGN's Solar Electricity Generating Works, the very local objectors - who are obviously also the local ratepayers, would be forced to additionally bear this enormous contamination cost burden.

What therefore, are Metka EGN & Wagga Wagga Council's (Councillors as community representatives not the Council Planner) bond arrangements - to cover the serious/irreversible contamination/pollution risk during the presence of Metka EGN's Solar Electricity Generating Works, in addition to the futured decommissioning bond - including full remediation & waste removal?

A transparent Waste Removal/Clean Up Bond - held in perpetuity - which cannot be consumed by other Council expenditure, must be retained - specifically for unexpected storm damage, bushfire, abandonment, company collapse/exiting Australia, etc.
It would obviously be essential that this remain held in tact in spite of changes to ownership of the Wagga North & Wagga South Solar Electricity Generating Works & that this would also be expanded to cover likely/inevitable failures of the host landholders - whose toxic electronic garbage is left languishing on their land for the surrounding community to suffer the consequences of.

9. Please document in detail how Metka EGN & Wagga Wagga Council will be providing ongoing, reputable, independent, peer reviewed monitoring/testing for any contamination/pollution of the land/water on the Wagga North & Wagga South Solar Electricity Generating Works site & for all surrounding land/water.

10. How will Metka EGN prevent cadmium washing from their intact PV Solar panels?

11. Please provide Metka EGN's Planned, Damaged Panel Treatment in Conjunction With Wagga Wagga Council regarding -
A. Full details of Metka EGN's local workforce that would be immediately available following a sudden, severe hail storm event or bushfire etc. to remove vast quantities - thousands, tens of thousands, or over 165,000 hail fractured/burnt PV Solar panels - prior to rainwater washing any heavy-metal leachate into the soil/water.
*Elsewhere, numerous hail fractured PV Solar panels have neligently remained untreated, insitu for more than 10 months - subject to frequent rain events!
A catastrophic failure such as this would likely render this Wagga Wagga site & surrounding land/water irreversibly contaminated for future generations - depriving them of their rightful, uncontaminated soil heritage/intergenerational equity.

B. Documented immediate availability of 'toxic classed' waste disposal/recycling facilities - with practical & financial arrangements identified & approved by the community ratepayers & Wagga Wagga Councillors, with responses from said facilities as to their willingness & ability to suitably handle vast quantities of this waste immediately, in a genuinely sustainable manner.

C. Full details of the exact procedure to be followed in order to guarantee no fragments remain & no toxic heavy-metal leachate washes via rainwater into the soil/water on site or elsewhere.
Also, identifying the product used to paint on fractured PV Solar panels & confirmation of where this product is immediately available from in commensurate large-scale quantities.

12. Please clarify the larger extent (far greater than the out of context 30m referenced) impacts to surrounding food producers of the 'Heat Island Effect' commensurate with the large-scale of Metka's Electricity Generating Works as supported by reputable, independent, peer reviewed research. This has not been determined prior to approval.

*There are unfortunately now numerous, operational, large-scale PV Solar Electricity Generating Works in the Riverina - detrimentally impacting surrounding food producers & residents with measurable, increased heat effects.
These sites provide ample opportunity to enable reputable, independant, peer reviewed, Australian research to clarify the yet to be determined extent of the already well proven 'Heat Island Effect' on the local micro-climate of impacted areas - due to the operation of large-scale PV Solar Electricity Generating Works.
The detrimental impacts on production loss, effects on pollination,

Increased Fire Risk & Toxic Carcinogenic & Teratogenic Smoke Hazard from Solar Electricity Generating Works & Lithium Batteries - Dangers

Lithium batteries - dangers
Dear All
It should be of great concern to all residents of NSW (and all Australia) that the Fire and Rescue and the RFS do not have the ability to fight Lithium Battery fires when thousands of these are planned to be installed across our countryside and increasingly in cars, homes and businesses. The battery technology for EVs and industrial scale and household solar batteries are currently very dangerous, as evidenced by he many Australian and overseas fires, including the sinking of a bulk carrier ship. This is an extract from the attached letter from FRNSW.

FRNSW is aware of the research and fire incidents worldwide involving electric vehicles and lithium-ion battery technology. Our Operational Capability and Fire Research Teams have been keeping abreast of the issues and working with Government, industry and research institutions to help fill the gaps in knowledge regarding emergencies involving alternative energy technologies.

The FRNSW, the RFS and governments are aware of these dangers yet they put our properties and lives at risk by approving the construction of these facilities. Dangerous products are banned in Australia and have to be recalled if just a couple of adverse events occur. Yet industrial scale battery installations get a free pass.

SOS raised this issue with the DPIE but they approved the Stubbo Solar Works anyway. The FRNSW in their submission only required a fire management plan and a 20,000 litre water tank onsite to enable it (actually the RFS who had no say) to fight a solar fire covering 18km2 of fenced land. Neither the RFNSW or RFS will actually fight a fire in a wind turbine, a solar works or a battery energy storage system because they do not have the facilities to put out such a fires and the toxic fumes given off are too dangerous. Until just this issue alone should stop such projects being approved let alone the numerous other adverse risks they pose (environmental degradation, national security, dependence on Chinese supply chains, increased slavery, increased mining in wilderness areas, chemical leaching, increased CO2e emissions, fire, generation intermittency, unreliability, unavailability, resource consumption intensity, removal of food producing capability, overseas ownership of critical infrastructure, uneconomic without subsidies, higher electricity system costs, lack of recycling, rehabilitation responsibility, etc, etc).

If you do not object to and stop these projects then you are risking the property and lives of our lands and towns.

Regards
Dennis Armstrong
Save Our Surroundings (SOS)
Save Our Surroundings (SOS) is an umbrella group for like-minded concerned and impacted citizens that oppose the proliferation of industrial scale weather-dependent “renewables” and their negative impacts on local and global environments and communities. The independently run SOS groups share and distribute information and are currently: SOS Central West NSW, SOS-Gulgong, SOS-Mudgee, SOS-Wellington, SOS-Orange, SOS-Greater Hume, SOS-Riverina, SOS-Clarence Valley and SOS-Qld.


From: Bill Stinson
Sent: Wednesday, 23 March 2022 2:54 PM
To: 'Dennis Armstrong'; 'Dugald Saunders'; 'Andrew Gee MP Calare'
Cc: 'Teena Mcqueen'; 'Stacey Whittaker - One Nation Calare'; [email protected]; 'Julie Robertson'; 'Kayla Robson'

Subject: RE: Lithium batteries - dangers

Dear Dennis,

See attached response Fire NSW Research regarding EV fires. Extract below:


Regarding the timeline for the research on EV fires in car parks, our aim is to be able to obtain data to inform a proposal for change for NCC 2025, which must be submitted by August 2023. This is an ambitious aim as research of this magnitude requires quite a bit of planning, dedicated funding, resources, facilities, and support from Government and industry. FRNSW Research has put in submissions to build suitable facilities, and is also exploring opportunities to conduct the testing at alternative sites.

What happens between now and August 2023?

Kind regards,
Bill Stinson

From: Dennis Armstrong <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, 21 March 2022 4:36 PM
To: Dugald Saunders <[email protected]>; Andrew Gee MP Calare <[email protected]>
Cc: Teena Mcqueen <[email protected]>; Stacey Whittaker - One Nation Calare <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Julie Robertson <[email protected]>; Kayla Robson <[email protected]>

Subject: FW: Lithium batteries - dangers

Gentlemen
Please refer to the email below addressed to RFS.

Following recent in-depth discussions with an RFS crew they confirmed that they cannot put out fires within a solar plant, a wind turbine on fire, or a fire in a battery energy storage system (BESS). The Fire and Rescue HQ also confirmed that they are still researching how they will deal with electrical vehicle fires in an underground carpark (public or private).

The chemical reaction of fires in lithium batteries and the extremely toxic fumes given off mean fire-fighters can only try to limit spread of fire beyond the perimeter. They must avoid being in the path of toxic fumes, which is why a 1000 residents had to be evacuated from their homes during a recent battery fire. Basically the solar panel, wind turbine, BESS and EV fires just have to burn themselves out. This has serous consequences for rural and urban Australians.

Why are your governments endangering both life and property, especially of your constituents and those in other rural electorates, with your backing of dangerous renewables? What advice have you/your governments received that differs from that provided by the RFS and Fire and Rescue?

Regards
Dennis Armstrong
Save Our Surroundings (SOS)
Save Our Surroundings (SOS) is an umbrella group for like-minded concerned and impacted citizens that oppose the proliferation of industrial scale weather-dependent “renewables” and their negative impacts on local and global environments and communities. The independently run SOS groups share and distribute information and are currently: SOS Central West NSW, SOS-Gulgong, SOS-Mudgee, SOS-Wellington, SOS-Orange, SOS-Greater Hume, SOS-Riverina, SOS-Clarence Valley and SOS-Qld.


From: Dennis Armstrong
Sent: Monday, 21 February 2022 1:22 PM

Subject: Lithium batteries - dangers

Hi David
Margaret and I enjoyed our discussions with you at the Gulgong Show on Saturday. We mentioned how concerned we are for the safety of our fire-fighters and the communities and farmers being evermore surrounded by these dangerous solar and wind developments, which include massive lithium ion battery installations. Increased fire risks are only one of the dangers with renewables.

We hope the attached information will be of interest to you and the Gulgong RFS crews and management. These links shows some of what is already happening at an increasing rate around the world and in Australia:

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2021/08/03/toxic-horror-show-geelong-grid-backup-battery-fire-finally-extinguished/

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/multiple-trucks-on-fire-after-accident-in-sydney-s-west-20211028-p593u7.html

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/aps-battery-fire-explosion-safety-lithium-mcmicken-fluence

Google Image Result

https://gcaptain.com/felicity-ace-car-carrier-continues-to-burn-in-mid-atlantic/

Another Grid Scale Battery Fire “Incident” – Watts Up With That?

Solar Farm Fire Burns 1,127 Acres | Stop-Solar (stopsolarfarms.com)

Regards
Dennis Armstrong
Save Our Surroundings (SOS)
Save Our Surroundings (SOS) is an umbrella group for like-minded concerned and impacted citizens that oppose the proliferation of industrial scale weather-dependent “renewables” and their negative impacts on local and global environments and communities. The independently run SOS groups share and distribute information and are currently: SOS Central West NSW, SOS-Gulgong, SOS-Mudgee, SOS-Wellington, SOS-Orange, SOS-Greater Hume, SOS-Riverina, SOS-Clarence Valley and SOS-Qld.

No Research Planned & No Consistent Advice to Deal With Solar EG Works' Fires - Lithium-ion Batteries & Energy Storage Systems - EOI Fire & Rescue NSW

From: Research <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, 6 January 2022 9:39 AM
To: xxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Info <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Electric Vehicle Fire

Hello xxxxxx

Thank you for your email and the information you have provided regarding electric vehicle fires. We really appreciate you taking the time to write to us concerning this safety issue.
FRNSW is aware of the research and fire incidents worldwide involving electric vehicles and lithium-ion battery technology. Our Operational Capability and Fire Research Teams have been keeping abreast of the issues and working with Government, industry and research institutions to help fill the gaps in knowledge regarding emergencies involving alternative energy technologies. In fact, we have recently released a call for expression of interest to collaborate with us on a suite of fire testing projects to address some of the questions and concerns you have raised and others. Information regarding the EOI can be found at: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9184. We encourage you to be involved as a valued stakeholder. Once the EOI closes, we’ll be organising a series of scoping workshops (online) for the projects proposed. Project C would be of particular interest to you and we’ve had a great deal of interest in this from a number of industry bodies and government departments.

If you have any further questions, suggestions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

FRNSW RESEARCH
Fire and Rescue NSW
E: [email protected]
1 Amarina Ave, Greenacre, NSW 2190 | Locked Mail Bag 12, Greenacre, NSW 2190

Electric Vehicles - Fire Authority Action

“Dear Enquiries,
I am a member of a Building Management Committee (BMC) for a mixed development in Kogarah, with 3 levels of underground parking for approximately 230 vehicles, a licenced club at Ground Level and 220 residential units in 2 no 12 level towers. The BMC has had an enquiry regarding the installation of electric vehicle charging stations in the underground carpark. Recently, in October 2021, I made a submission (copy attached) to the Australian Building Codes Board in relation to the proposed changes to the National Construction Code specifically relating to the installation of EV charging stations in residential carparks. My comments are copied below:

“Clause/Figure/Table: Part J9
Recommended change to draft:

J9D4 Facilities for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment
The EV charging station should be in a dedicated fire enclosure with a separate previously tested gas fire suppression system and dedicated carpark exhaust system

Comment/reason for change: Difficulty in extinguishing a lithium-ion battery fire and the associated toxic gas emissions”

Having regard to the recent experiences of European firefighters, (see attachments) responding to electric vehicle fires and the October 2021 truck crash in Wetherill Park, NSW with one truck loaded with lithium ion batteries, has the NSW Fire Brigade any directive or information in relation to what appears to be the potential toxic threat and difficulty to extinguish electric vehicle fires.

Could this potentially be another fire-fighting issue similar to the combustible building cladding issue.

Your response will be appreciated.

Kind regards,
xxxxxxxxx

“Dear xxxxxxxx

Thank you for your email.

Your correspondence has been forwarded to the Fire and Rescue NSW Fire Safety Division for response.

Kind regards

SUPERINTENDENT GREG HOUSTON JP
Staff Officer – Deputy Commissioner Strategic Capability
1 Amarina Ave, GREENACRE, NSW 2190 | Locked Mail Bag 12, GREENACRE, NSW 2190

Begin forwarded message:

From: Research <[email protected]>
Date: 10 January 2022 at 12:32:50
To: xxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Research <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: RE Increased Fire Risk Concerns - Solar Electricity Generating Works.
Hello xxxxxxxx

Thank you so much for your email.

As you have mentioned, our initial focus for the research program is on Lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems. This approach aligns with the priorities of FRNSW’s research agenda. Batteries and battery systems pose current risks and hazards to our firefighters and the public in that we do not have consistent advice on how to respond in these incidents. As detailed in the Call for Expression of Interest to collaborate on the SARET program, we are open to assisting in other projects that address the research questions we have posed. If you would like to propose a suitable project to address your concerns regarding Solar Electricity Generating Works, we would happily consider your submission. Projects to be included in the program are subject to the availability of sufficient resources and funding.

We would also like to note that while we are a relevant stakeholder in large-scale solar developments, FRNSW is not a consent authority and any concerns over the safety of specific developments should be submitted to the local planning authority or council. Whilst any person identifying an issue with the fire safety measures of a given building may lodge a fire safety complaint with FRNSW (refer to the following page of the FRNSW website https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9162 for further information), Council are the regulatory authority for matters concerning the built environment. They have greater scope and powers to address concerns, and by volume of numbers, are also better resourced across NSW to investigate them. FRNSW recommend you notify your local council in the first instance.

Thanks again for taking the time to express your concerns and your suggestions regarding fire research.

Kind regards,

Sent from
Begin forwarded message:

From: xxxxxxxxx
Date: 7 January 2022 at 9:33:13 AM AEDT
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Subject: RE Increased Fire Risk Concerns.
Dear Research Team,Please advise if our submissions regarding the detrimental large-scale Solar Electricity Generating
Works that we have been forced to be subject to, will also be immediately addressed in your EOI
process as further outlined below.

Thank you,

xxxxxxxxxx

Sent from

On 7 Jan 2022, at 9:06 AM, Timothy Hassiotis <[email protected]> wrote:

Good morning, xxxxxxxx
I have spoken with the team responsible for fire safety of alternate energy technologies and they have advised that queries should be forwarded to [email protected]. This allows for a considered and coordinated response from research representatives from FIRU, Fire Safety and Ops Capability.

I hope this addresses your query and thanks again for the phone call yesterday.

Warmly,

Tim
<image001.gif>
A/SUPERINTENDENT TIMOTHY HASSIOTIS
Operational Media Liaison
Office of Commissioner | Fire and Rescue NSW
E: [email protected]
M: 0417 951 345 | LinkedIn
1 Amarina Ave Greenacre, NSW 2190
<image002.gif>
www.fire.nsw.gov.au
<image003.gif> <image004.gif> <image005.gif> <image006.gif> <image007

From: xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, 6 January 2022 3:37 PM
To: Media <[email protected]>
Subject: Hi Timothy

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of Fire and Rescue NSW. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.

Thank you for your help today on the phone.
If you can provide me with a phone number for someone I can speak to regarding this EOI & Solar Electricity Generating Works it would be much appreciated.

I see it indicates Lithium-ion batteries & Battery energy storage systems as the initial focus but we need urgent attention regarding these shoddily constructed Solar EG Works with their plethora of compliance failures - which are impossible to protect from fire. Battery storage is also planned.
These are being forced midst our rural communities & productive food production where
substantial stubble retention for essential moisture preservation is the norm.
There is inadequate consideration for the very real fire/short risks these poorly maintained Solar EG Works present.

Thanks Timothy.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

FRNSW RESEARCH
Fire and Rescue NSW
E: [email protected]
1 Amarina Ave, Greenacre, NSW 2190 | Locked Mail Bag 12, Greenacre, NSW 2190
Visit our website for more information on our latest research

SOLAR'S SLAVE LABOUR SUPPLY CHAINS - Spark Renewables Reply - Yesterday was International Day For The Abolition Of Slavery - 100% of Bomen's Solar panels are produced using slave labour - enslaved Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China.

Large-scale Solar Electricity Generating Works are an environmentally vandalising curse throughout our most productive agriculture areas - it is intentional, unconscionable destruction that threatens our essential FOOD SECURITY, INDEPENDENT ENERGY SECURITY & NATIONAL SECURITY due to the illogical entombment of arable land, CCP manufacturing & control of critical energy infrastructure & consequential energy poverty!

There is white hot anger here in the Riverina & throughout NSW & Australia from this scandalous Net Zero con which is defying Ecologically Sustainable Development with a clearly false fake green narrative, robbing present Australians & future generations of access to our rich soil heritage for life sustaining food production - with dodgy RE developers, wealthy investors & beneficiaries selfishly mining RE subsidies instead, against the best interests of Australia.
There are likely serious/irreversible land/water contamination risks from Solar EG Works which the NSW DPIE, IPCN & the Federal Government have unjustly never considered or assessed in their approval processes.

Solar's Slave Labour Supply Chains
Australia ratifies International Forced Labour Protocol | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Women Marise Payne
https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/australia-ratifies-international-forced-labour-protocol

Companies not complying with laws against modern slavery, plus Easter in a country under siege - The Religion and Ethics Report - ABC Radio National
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/religionandethicsreport/report-85-per-cent-of-companies-not-comply-modern-slavery-laws/13839006

Carolyn Kitto ('Be Slavery Free') has updated % figures to add to the 'In Broad Daylight Report' that I have quoted & the reply from Spark Renewables (spun off Spark Infrastructure 2021 spun off Cheung Kong Infrastructure in 2005) is included below.

NSW Parliament Modern Slavery Act 1st Jan 2021
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bill/files/3873/First%20Print.pdf
https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-2018-03

The NSW landmark Modern Slavery Act and what it means for NSW government bodies and local councils - Human Rights - Australia
https://www.mondaq.com/australia/human-rights/1168940/the-nsw-landmark-modern-slavery-act-and-what-it-means-for-nsw-government-bodies-and-local-councils

The NSW Interim Anti-Slavery Commissioner is Paul McKnight with the permanent position needing to be announced as promised.
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Sent from
Begin forwarded message:

From: Anthony Marriner <[email protected]>
Date: 7 December 2021 at 10:12:29 AM AEDT
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Claire Dawson <[email protected]>
Subject: FW: Yesterday was International Day For The Abolition Of Slavery - 100% of Bomen's Solar panels are produced using slave labour - enslaved Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China.

Hi xxxxxxxxxxx

Thank you for your email below, which has been forward to me. This is a very important issue for us. Would you like to discuss further over a Teams call sometime?

Regards,


Anthony Marriner
Head of Spark Renewables

19-21 South Steyne Rd
Manly, NSW 2095
M: +61 431 009 818
E: [email protected]
W: www.sparkinfrastructure.com


Spark Renewables is part of the Spark Infrastructure Group

From: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, 3 December 2021 4:30 PM

Subject: Yesterday was International Day For The Abolition Of Slavery - 100% of Bomen's Solar panels are produced using slave labour - enslaved Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China.

I am emailing you regarding this shameful issue as it appears your company/association was a supporter of Bomen Solar or Metka EGN's provision of solar energy from their Solar Electricity Generating Works at Bomen, Wagga Wagga.

Some company users/potential users/supporters of Bomen Solar/Metka EGN's solar energy source make ethical claims & condemn slavery - including a Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement on their website - so may appreciate the facts regarding the production of all of Bomen Solar & Metka EGN's PV Solar panels.

Companies, Local Councils, Councillors, Planners, MP's & Senators all need to address this shameful issue - especially when large-scale Solar Electricity Generating Works are falsely being promoted as VIRTUOUS.

With 82% of Australia's solar panels directly linked (solar panels/polysilicon) to the enslaved Uyghur workforce in Xinjiang, China - where the Uyghurs are subject to mass torture, mass re-education camps, rape, forced sterilisation of women & genocide - it is incumbent upon policy makers & decision makers to address these facts regarding large-scale Solar Electricity Generating Works.

Here in Wagga Wagga's Bomen/Eunony Valley district - not only have these obnoxious Solar Electricity Generating Works ruined the environment - extensively destroyed biodiversity & ecological habitat, present our reliably productive FOOD producing area with land/water contamination risks & has been declared an unacceptable glaring, visual amenity nightmare for the rural community by the EPA (re-Bomen Solar) - we now see the irrefutable evidence of all of these solar panels being produced by slave labour.

100% of Wagga Wagga's - Bomen/Eunony Valley- large-scale Solar Electricity Generating Works' panels have been produced using Uyghur slave labour in Xinjiang, China.

Spark Renewables (Spark Infrastructure/Cheung Kong's) Bomen Solar use JINKO SOLAR panels.
Metka EGN use CANADIAN SOLAR panels.

Jinko & Metka EGN/Canadian Solar are clearly identified in the graphs in the following links.
Corporate Reports also identify Risen - Risen energy has plans for Solar Electricity Generating Works at 59 Hillary St North Wagga Wagga. BayWa r.e. (Sandy Creek Solar Uranquinty proposal) have previously used Cheung Kong's Beon construction - who used Jinko Solar panels at Bomen.
Regrettably, there are plans for many more!

Links:-
Rebekha Sharkie's Bill - 22nd Nov 2021.
* https://beslaveryfree.com/uyghur
Carolyn Kitto's mobile number & email are available here.

The graphs indicating companies & solar panels connected to Xinjiang are in the following 2 links:-

This has the saddest, most upsetting image of the poor Uyghur men:-
*https://desdemonadespair.net/2021/05/forced-labor-from-chinas-uighur-muslims-behind-global-supply-of-solar-panels.html

Xinjiang Solar Panels - Uyghur Slave Labour/Concentration Camps/Genocide - 'In Broad Daylight' - Professor Laura Murphy
*https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/research/helena-kennedy-centre/projects/pdfs/evidence-base/in-broad-daylight.pdf

Andrew West speaks with Carolyn Kitto "Be Slavery Free"
Muslim leaders join the push for religious discrimination laws, fighting modern slavery, and China's law bans criticism of communist heroes - The Religion and Ethics Report - ABC Radio National
*https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/religionandethicsreport/religious-discrimination-bill,-fighting-modern-slavery-china-com/13644292

How will promoters & adoptees of Net Zero, Solar/Wind Energy Transition plans now deal with this shamefully unethical & concerning issue for Wagga Wagga - NSW - Australia?

Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Spark Renewables (Spark Infrastructure/Cheung Kong Con) Bomen Solar - JINKO SOLAR panels + their rubbish - prior to construction.

An increase of heavy vehicle movement on these roads poses a significant safety concern to other road users. The current state of these roads are deplorable. You cannot pass oncoming traffic without needing to drive onto the side of the road. School buses also travel on these roads. I would be extremely concerned about an increase of heavy vehicle movement especially during periods of fog (fog is prevalent in Autumn and right through to Spring) where visibility is significantly affected.

The safety of other road users and the current state of the roads has not been considered in the amendment / modification.

I object to further modifications of the project, this is not a small modification, it is increasing the traffic on Benambra rd by close to double its usual local traffic usage. The road has not held up well despite being worked on regularly and only recently graded again, to the point that I recorded the road friday afternoon when collecting my children from school and could not believe the state of the road ( happy to provide to the department). I can read that FRV will limit the use of the unsealed section for only an additional few vehicles, but any truck driver will look at his shortest route and take his chances, so the likelyhood of them going back into the solar farm drive through the middle cross a creek crossing and then come out the other end of the solar farm back onto Benambra rd is potentially very slim if we are being real and honest about it.
We use this road as a route to school and I believe that during the hours of 8am to 8.45am and 3.15pm to 4.30pm that trucks should not be able to use Benambra rd so local school families can continue to use the route without all the addiitional traffic. The increased traffic will also cause congestion getting onto and off the highway and at certain times of the year as the road runs south to west there is the added risk of driving into the sun in the morning and afternoons. it was stated as the main route to walla, for a lot of families and farmers this is the main route to walla for them
I also don't agree with the additional footprint of panels when they could look at alternatives if they need to increase the production, this section was important enough to leave throughout the first process and 1st modification, though the signifigance has been downgraded very suddenly to fit what they need. If the company were as knowledgable in this as they claim this should have all been easily replicated and scaled accordingly, the vast difference in the original approval to all these modfications questions the integrity of the process to start with, as it just seems like an easier way to get major changes across the line. Changes any company would have known they needed from the start if correct due diligence had been conducted or is it a case of get an approval and then make all the changes to suit their need.
As it seems original conditions of consent can easily be changed as was the case with the early plantings and the company are the only ones with any right of reply, so what is the real point of this process?

Objections to Specific Modifications Planned by FRV:-
**Construction of an additional vehicle crossing over Back Creek within the project site to accommodate construction of 700,000 toxic classed Solar panels will contribute to the likely serious/irreversible contamination of Back Creek, which has not been considered at all regarding Solar's "looming environmental contamination disaster" - for the biodiversity, water & our fragile soil - that Farrer MP Federal Environment Minister - Sussan Ley has repeatedly highlighted on ABC Riverina. Back Creek & Middle Creek both traverse this Solar site & are ephemeral tributaries of Billabong Creek which feeds into our vital Murray River Catchment.
This defies FRV & NSW DPIE's own words of avoiding key constraints - including watercourses & remnant native vegetation:-
2.1.4 - "The proposed development footprint within the site is approximately 421 ha & was designed to largely avoid key constraints, including on-site watercourses & farm dams, remnant native vegetation...." (Quote:- NSW DPIE Walla Walla Solar Farm State Significant Development Assessment SSD 9874 Sept 2020. See ipcn.nsw.gov.au)

**Clearing of an additional 0.137 ha of native vegetation, to accommodate this crossing.
Removing 0.137 ha additional native vegetation is the opposite to reducing heat impacts - which these local trees actually do help reduce. Unlike a desecrated, denuded landscape covered in 700,000 heat creating Solar panels, trees & crops thrive on absorbing CO2.
Random biodiversity offsets are no substitute whatsoever for these substantial local negative impacts - increased heat from mass solar panels, lack of air filtration from the beneficial trees to be removed & significant century old tree hollow habitat loss that vulnerable creatures rely on for their homes, to breed & multiply.

**An increase in the solar array and development footprint, of approximately 15.4 ha, within the existing project boundary = a further 50,000 Solar panels - totalling 700,000, with a completely unacceptably damaging cumulative impact of 2.4 million Solar panels planned for this proven superior, reliably productive district within approximately 23 klms.
There is nothing beneficial to Australia from FRV's ugly, contaminating, environmentally destructive Solar Works - with a further 50,000 panels increasing its yet to be researched, unmanageable, extremely toxic fire risk, the yet to be assessed toxic contamination impacts, adding further to its glaring eyesore & increasing the yet to be properly assessed 'Heat Island Effect' for impacted neighbours - heating up the local environment, harming biodiversity & reducing productivity.
It is reprehensible that any of Australia's precious food producing, arable land is being treated so disrespectfully by FRV, NSW DPIE & IPCN with this damaging large-scale Solar plan, enabling FRV to rip off Australian tax payer subsidies, when basic food staples grown on this land are essential for the survival of our lives & FRV's toxic solar panels are so harmful to us.
15.4 ha is a precious & rare resource, let alone the whole 605 ha site!
This will further add to the ugly, glaring Solar nightmare local residents & the beautiful wedding venue - Orange Grove Gardens will be unjustly subjected to. The pristine environment & pretty rural vista is integral to this thriving business - which provides ongoing employment & much delight & pleasure for numerous patrons.

**An increase in the peak daily total number of heavy vehicle numbers accessing the site from 45 to 110.
The peak daily increase in vehicle numbers to 110 is shocking & totally contrary to FRV & DPIE's disingenuous claims of emissions reduction & their demonisation of fossil fuels.
Excessive toxic fumes will be pumped into the atmosphere & pollute the local air quality which is NOT clean, green, sustainable or renewable at all!
Added to this is the transportation of 700,000 Solar panels - embedded with toxic pollution, potent green house gases & intensive energy from their mining, processing & manufacturing origin - transported massive distances - using more fossil fuel reliant means. The massive toxic Solar waste burden is yet another energy intensive, economically unviable, polluting process.
It appears that this Walla Walla Solar Works is using a completely false narrative to gain unworthy taxpayer subsidisation when it is actually ruining both the local & global environment & is based on fossil fuels.
It is therefore essential, that either FRV will be constructing this Solar Works manually - without any reliance on fossil fuels & producing no greenhouse gas emissions in doing so. This will help protect the roads, substantially reduce dust & toxic pollution & provide physically active outcomes with bonus obesity reduction for participants. Numerous employees will therefore be required over a very long period of time - which the RE transition advocates profess will occur.
Otherwise, it is important for accuracy & transparency that any false claims FRV have made regarding emissions, fossil fuels & ongoing employment would need to be corrected by re-writing & presenting an honest proposal for consideration or by making an admission that their claims are not true.

Conclusion
Global uncertainty, hostile actors, energy poverty, economic constraints & life threatening food security issues inform us that FOOD SECURITY + INDEPENDENT ENERGY SECURITY = NATIONAL SECURITY.
Walla Walla Solar Electricity Generating Works is obviously not fit for purpose.
It is vital that Australia's plentiful natural energy resources be prioritised & utilised for the independent sovereignty & welfare of Australia. This excludes inferior, unreliable Solar, Wind & Batteries.
With Nuclear energy being the proven safest, cleanest energy source, the establishment of a Nuclear energy industry, using SMR's & our own uranium is essential to add to our ever reliable, economical, job sustaining coal fired power industry - to provide on-going reliable, efficient, secure & economical base-load power.

I OBJECT to all of the Modifications proposed by FRV as these magnify the already unacceptable, irresponsible & detrimental impacts of the obnoxious Walla Walla Solar Electricity Generating Works for the Walla Walla district, for the community, the environment, ecological habitat & for the health, safety & security of present & future generations of Australians.

Well respected author, broadcaster - the late Clive James aptly commented:-
"Climate change propaganda is manipulating us.
It relies on poppycock.
It is raising opportunism to a principle."

Obscene, Fake Green Energy Transition
The practical reality of the obscene fake green energy transition clearly proves that opportunistic, vested interests have stolen the narrative.
'Clean, green, sustainable, renewable, cheap, circular economy, Farm' rhetoric is disingenuous & false regarding large-scale Solar/Wind Electricity Generating Works, Lithium-ion Batteries/BESS & EV's.
*The Green Lie - Solar & Wind Aren't Saving the Planet - They're Wrecking It!
https://stopthesethings.com/2022/04/02/the-great-green-lie-wind-solar-arent-saving-the-planet-theyre-wrecking-it/

*'BLOOD BATTERIES' - The Dark Side of Electric Vehicles - Gravitas Plus YouTube
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RFHvq-8np1o

Proclaimed & professed under a veil of deception, sweet little sunbeams, gentle puffs of wind - as good for you as kale & carrots - is all there is to this fake green Solar/Wind fantasy in Woke la la land, when the practical reality is costly subsidisation of immense environmental destruction.

The terminology for FRV's "utility-scale solar" planned for Walla Walla is NOT "Farm."
According to NSW DPIE themselves - this is an "Electricity Generating Works" & should be correctly named as such - as it will "have a primary purpose of exporting electricity to the grid." It is in no way a locally beneficial, agriculturally productive farming proposal.

Neither will Walla Walla Solar's energy intensive, toxic polluting life-cycle equate to clean energy as stated by FRV, nor will it ever be reliable, ethical or secure energy as it is weather dependent, produces no electricity at night, is reliant on a hostile Chinese supplier - intent on monitoring its manufactured components for evil purposes & is reliant on unethical slave labour supply chains.

FRV's Walla Walla Solar EG Works is Reliant Upon the Hostile CCP & Their Unethical Slave Labour Supply Chains.
Energy components & energy control reliant on the hostile Chinese Communist Party - whose intentions are to harm & supplant Australia are completely insecure, beyond stupid & are sabotaging Australia's FOOD SECURITY, INDEPENDENT ENERGY SECURITY & NATIONAL SECURITY.
Patricia Adams - China's Energy Dream
https://www.thegwpf.org/content/uploads/2021/12/Adams-Chinas-Energy-Dream.pdf

Irrefutable evidence of slave labour supply chains used by numerous - if not all 'Low Cost Solar' Developers in Australia - is clearly documented in the 'In Broad DayLight Report.'
The NSW Parliament Modern Slavery Act 2021 has been implemented 1st Jan 2022 & the International Forced Labour Protocol 29 ratified 5th April 2022 by the Federal Government - which Greater Hume Council, NSW DPIE, IPCN & the Federal Government can no longer turn a blind eye to & walk past.
FRV's recently constructed Sebastopol Solar at Temora has been constructed by Cheung Kong Conglomerate's Beon Energy Solutions - who use Jinko Solar panels, as do Cheung Kong Infrastructure's 2005 spin-off Spark Infrastructure/2021 spin-off Spark Renewables - whose Jinko Solar panels used for Bomen Solar are 100% reliant on cruelly tortured Uyghur slave labour supply chains in Xinjiang, China. (Reference:- 'International Day For The Abolition of Slavery' Letter & Reply from Spark Renewables/Spark Infrastructure.)
FRV's Sebastopol Solar Farm goes fully operational - Energy Source & Distribution
Constructed by Cheung Kong Conglomerate's construction company Beon Energy Solutions.
https://esdnews.com.au/frvs-sebastopol-solar-farm-goes-fully-operational/
NSW’s Sebastopol Solar Farm up and running – pv magazine Australia
https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2022/03/23/nsws-sebastopol-solar-farm-up-and-running/

Tokenistic Inducements Are No Compensation For Long Term Detrimental Impacts.
Tokenistic inducement $$'s inveigling gullible individuals & community groups into swallowing such a detrimental Solar 'dump' with tragic, long term consequences for generations to come, is no long term consolation, with Greater Hume Shire Council as the local regulatory authority, inevitably responsible/liable for any land/water contamination/pollution caused by Solar Electricity Generating Works in their Shire (POEO.)
Whilst FRV, Transgrid & NSW DPIE have all failed to be transparent, failed to honestly & respectfully consult, FRV have weaselled their way into the community - using their token monetary gestures to then promote themselves as most welcome, when in reality they have wrought extensive heartache - dividing the social fabric - shattering this previously cohesive community for their own greedy purposes.

Conflict of Interest Denies Valid Assessment - Moratorium & Independent Inquiry Essential
Walla Walla Solar EG Works is a prime example of false, opportunistic propaganda - with FRV's vested interests conflictingly acting as the original NSW DPIE Planner & Environmental Assessment Officer of this project he manages.
The DPIE's assesssment process for FRV's Walla Walla Solar has been anything but "a robust & rigorous process" which DPIE disingenuously claim applies to all their projects (Response to Mark Sadler - destruction of cultural heritage & failure to consult with indigenous locals & landholders/farmers - ABC Riverina 16th May 2022.)
Clearly, this & numerous other dodgy activities occurring in the diabolical RE Transition are a matter for an immediate Moratorium & Independent Inquiry.
This is essential, as the NSW Government beholden Ag Commissioner - who is planning a Review - recently spouted the typical Dugald Saunders/Matt Kean mantra - stating on ABC NSW Country Hour 9th May 2022 that:-
"These things are gonna happen......there's no stopping them..... we are in a race to decarbonise."
Clearly, irreplaceable food resource land - food security, the environment, health & safety of rural residents, independent energy security & national security are unconscionably of no matter to them - believing opportunities for developers will be lost if there is a Moratorium - with the mining of subsidies their top priority!

Rural Communities Are Being Experimented On, Dismissed & Unjustly Treated By Those Approving Walla Walla Solar.
There is a shocking disregard for rural communities who are forcibly made subject to such an increased, yet to even be researched by NSW Fire & Rescue, UNMANAGEABLE FIRE RISK
This is an extremely alarming prospect!
Fire Brigades are told to completely avoid the carcinogenic, teratogenic smoke hazard & only attempt to fight Solar & BESS fires from the perimeter as they are SO TOXIC. Yet NSW DPIE are forcing them midst rural communities as if we are inconsequential & dispensible!
There has been a dereliction of duty - with a totally inadequate assessment process to date of the fire risk Walla Walla Solar presents to surrounding human beings & animals (References:- No Research Planned & No Consistent Advice To Deal With Solar Works' Fires & Increased Fire Risk.)

There is a Complete Failure By the Federal & NSW Governments to Consider, Assess, Research the Toxic Contamination Risks to Our Food Resource Land & Water Sources During the Whole Operational Life of the Solar Works - when, besides sterilisation of the soil & the contaminating impacts to our food bowl from broken, storm/hail fractured, fire damaged & inferior Solar panels - there is now ample evidence that serious toxins leak from the join point & wiring of the Solar panel as a normal, undamaged Solar panel ages on site (See Professor Ian Plimer 'Green Murder.')
Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley also acknowledges that solar panels present a "looming environmental contamination disaster," where solar panels in landfill may "leach heavy-metal chemicals"....leading to "contamination of the environment & our fragile soil."

Not once has FRV, NSW DPIE or IPCN ever assessed the obvious long term contamination risks to the site, neighbours, the district - during the decades long operational life of Walla Walla Solar Works - from the undamaged solar panels as they degrade/age on site, from storm damaged, burnt, inferior panels - all leaking serious toxins. This is extremely careless, neglectful & unacceptable.
It's obvious that FRV's Walla Walla Solar Works Manager didn't even bother to consider any of these damaging facts for Australia's essential soil, water & healthy food supply at all when he planned Walla Walla Solar & when he did its original environmental assessment - being too busy ensuring his own prime position with FRV!
Therefore, the whole original plan requires a totally new independent assessment & consultation process from the very beginning - due to this biased Planner/Environmental Assessment Officer & his extreme conflict of interest.
Whilst FRV have claimed that their Solar panels will be non-toxic, they have provided no independent, peer reviewed research & no clarification of the source of their planned panels. FRV's claims are inconsistent with substantial overseas peer reviewed research & is irresponsibly yet to be determined in Australia.
However, given this most concerning discrepancy, if approved, FRV must be required to & would have no problem then providing an essential, substantial, pre-construction monetary guarantee to ensure the Greater Hume community ratepayers will not bear any contamination/pollution -financial consequences resulting from FRV's Solar EG Works for the many decades of its operation. (Reference:- Refusal to Answer Essential Questions - Metka EGN/Mytilineos.)

We live within 5 kms of the project and use Benambra rd to transport our children to school. Over the past few months the road has deteroriated to the point that last week the school bus that normally travels down the road did not use the road in the afternoon. While I note that FRV have indicated that the increase of traffic for the substation they will use the internal access and travel through the solar farm from one end to the other and not the unsealed section of Benmabra rd. What they have missed to articulate is the fact that Stage 1 is the construction of the substation. Stage 2 is the construction of the solar farm. Stage 1 would happen in the first 4 to 6 weeks of construction as per their document. Though the internal road structure required to get to the substation including the crossings would form part of Stage 2 construction of the solar farm and the trucks would need to travel from one end of the solar farm to the other on roads and a creek crossing that has not been built. How does that work? how can a truck travel on a internal road network that is not yet built. Given the current state of Benambra rd unsealed section I could not imagine a newly formed road or trucks driving through internal paddocks would hold upto the conditiions we have experienced over the past few years. In reality any addiitonal vehicle traffic increases consideration needs to be taken that the drivers will use the unsealed section of Benmabra rd as it is the easier route so any increase in traffic movement FRV should be made to TAR this section as who is monitoring or ensuring these vehicles are going to travel through the solar farm on roads not yet built.
As a local and a rate payer why should we have to consider alternate routes to get our children to and from school becasue of the increase in traffic for a solar farm. What they have previously told locals in the community presentations about protecting biodiversity, panel height, traffic movement has all changed. It seems they consider credits has more value and justifies the removal of more trees to increase their panel footprint not the fact that these form part of the local landscape and animal habitat and I question the comment of not enough time to do their research on the aborignal artifacts when they had over 12 months to determine this, yet when they require more space as a modifcation in the past few months, they can easily change the narrative in a few weeks. Once it is removed and the land is disturbed you can not change it back?
What I struggle the most is this comapny stood in front of this community and sprooked of their extensive experience in these projects, yet have such a variance in the required number of vehicles, it is not out by 5 or 10, they are out by over double the original amount. How could you not know that you may require 60 to 70 more trucks daily?
It does not give us any faith that they understand the road conditions and the landscape the project is being built on as this creek that runs through the site has flooded regularly in the past few years that alternate routes have had to be used. In there submission they talk about peak times in more than one part and talk about peak construction of 4 to 6 weeks, but then talk later of peak construction only being 1 to 2 weeks. so which one is it?
The company advised when questioned about the removal of 200,000 panels with the original set back at the south east corner how they would be able to maintain the same output capacity. Quoted response below:
"Some figures that may also be of interest to you in considering this latest design:
Number panels reduced from approx. 900,000 to 700,000.
Additional 15 paddock trees retained.
Approx. 95ha cropping land retained.
In regards to your question yesterday about capacity and how this may be impacted by the size reduction - the intent is still to develop a solar farm of 300MW. Options for achieving this may include purchasing panels that are more expensive but more offer greater efficiency / output."
Yet this has not been the case of a more expensive more prodcutive panel they have gone for the easy and cheaper option and they are now placing another 18h under panels that removes further vegetation.
As a local the more this goes on, the more modifications and changes do nothing but contradict the things that where promised and sold to the community to rally support and get it across the line in the first place. The changes have not been small or minute changes they have been large chnages which questions the integrity of the original concept and reports sold to the community to start with.
The below link is Benambra Rd April 2022 with just local traffic, I could not imagine how bad the road will be once construction starts and it is not about restoring the road, it is about our access and use of this road that is part of our day to day activities with our families and work and feeling safe driving on these roads with such a larger increase in traffic.
https://youtu.be/xTweL7MpPLE

OBJECTION TO WALLA WALLA SOLAR FARM MODIFICATION SSD-9874-MODIFICATION 2 – OBJECTION SUBMISSION


I refer to the above modification to the above application SSD-9874-MODIFICATION 2 and wish to raise an objection to this.

The proposed modification apparently needs to have an additional heavy vehicle crossing to cater for heavy vehicles to create this extra crossing.

Firstly, I object that the works proposed in the construction of an additional crossing will not only create more than double the number of heavy vehicles using it in the construction stage, but will need to have further clearance of native vegetation to make this crossing.

Back Creek is a small creek and the heavy vehicle load is already going to impact greatly on the native vegetation surrounding it, but to more than double this will create much more damage to the footprint of natural vegetation. Therefore I object to this intrusion to the natural footprint area there.

The impact on the doubling of heavy vehicles for the construction and then use of the roads and crossings involved will create more issues with the vehicular use of the immediate area and indeed the roads to and from this site in the installation of the solar panels and work involved.

Secondly, I object to the additional 50,000 solar panels to the project. The solar panel being installed will already be a great intrusion to the land use on the site, sadly decreasing the arable land in our local area by taking the land out of farming use and replacing it with horrible solar panels which will have a finite life and will then need to be removed to landfill which in itself is a bad environmental issue. Our family has and is still farming the same land acquired over 100 years ago, and I object to the use of this good farming land being used for solar panels and now for the increase in quantity of them.

I OBJECT to Walla Walla Solar Electricity Generating Works Modification SSD-9874-Mod-2 for the following reasons:-

1. FRV's ugly, environmentally destructive Solar Works - with a further 50,000 Chinese manufactured - slave labour produced Solar panels - totalling 700,000 would be a tragedy for this pretty & extremely productive Walla Walla district.
This plan is an unethical waste of taxpayer funded subsidies with no healthy, long term benefits to Walla Walla, to Australia or to the global temperature at all.

2. 15.4 ha of arable land is very precious & needs to be retained as essential for growing food. To lock up 605 ha of productive land for decades is very wrong & extremely stupid.
People die without healthy food & water, yet FRV's Solar Works will contaminate the soil & Back Creek - part of the Murray River Catchment.
The clear conflict of interest of ex DPIE's FRV Walla Walla Solar Manager makes it most concerningly unsurprising that FRV & the DPIE have continually failed to consider this toxic contamination risk in spite of substantial overseas research, Professor Ian Plimer's factual information about serious toxins leaking from solar panels in 'Green Murder' & toxic contamination warnings from local Farrer MP Sussan Ley about dumped Solar panels - with the same "looming environmental contamination disaster" applying to degraded & damaged panels on FRV's Solar site.

3. Interfering with Back Creek - further destroying 0.137 ha of additional native vegetation will add further to the 'Heat Island Effect' that FRV & DPIE have not bothered to accurately assess for the 700,000 panels which will affect the local climate & reduce productivity for surrounding neighbours.
Biodiversity offsets will never replace the environmental vandalism FRV are purposely causing - destroying vital ecological habitat here - such as tree hollows that take 100 years to form - which vulnerable species rely on to survive.

4. The ridiculous claims repeatedly made by FRV & DPIE about their unproven emissions reduction & their condemnation of fossil fuels - whilst they neglect to ever include the whole energy intensive, toxic polluting & out of control, toxic waste life-cycle of solar panels displays their deceit.
To then plan to use such huge numbers of fossil fuel reliant heavy vehicles increasing from 45 to 110 to construct Walla Walla Solar Works is completely inconsistent with FRV & DPIE's claims & aims.
The extensive road damage, Back Creek impacts, emissions & air pollution created from such intense heavy vehicle activity is not acceptable in such a pristine & healthy environment - especially with the traffic & dust hazards, health & safety impacts this poses to local families & the exceptionally lovely Orange Grove Wedding venue.

The global situation is very concerning & requires Australia to be energy independent, to retain arable land for essential food supply & to ensure our national security.
Therefore, this totally excludes FRV's Walla Walla Solar Works.

NSW Farmers Association Billabong Branch would like to express concern in relation to Modification 2 for the Walla Walla Solar Farm.
Now being the second modification for this development we have members questioning whether changes are being undertaken strategically to simplify the approval process for the developer and alleviate the increased scrutiny of the initial development application seeking simple approval by way of the secretary. The increased traffic movements and panel numbers are substantial and, as this development raised significant community concern from the outset, all modifications should allow an appropriate level of analysis and a decent timeframe for community response.
The rural nature of the locality poses questions as to whether a 2 week exhibition and submission period can appropriately allow agricultural operators, during their busy seasonal sowing period, to reasonably consider the modification before them and make comment.
Members local to this development understand the extremely poor condition of Benambra Road particularly during inclement weather including in the vicinity of the substation. The creek crossing on Benambra Road is regularly closed by Council when heavy rainfall causes Back Creek to flow and the area can become dangerous.
The 3 March 2022, Mod 1 modification approved changes as follows :
The following vehicles may also use the Substation Site Access point on Benambra Road, as identified in Appendix 1:
(a) over-dimensional vehicles transporting substation components, and
(b) up to 10 heavy vehicles per day associated with substation construction.
The recent state of this road presents questions as to whether even 10 proposed heavy vehicles per day could adequately pass in the vicinity of the substation without destroying the road and a review towards road safety should be reconsidered.
It is agreed that the recommendation by Greater Hume Council to seal Benambra Road would lead to an improved outcome for local users of this road particularly given its condition in wet weather.
There appears to be no mention of additional dust or water trucks from the increased vehicle numbers on site, whether these trucks have been allowed for in the equation or whether additional water needs may have been considered for dust suppression. Reconsideration of dust mitigation should be applicable including both road and on site vehicles.
In view of the poor state of Benambra Road, an updated Traffic Impact Assessment could be warranted based on a wet weather scenario.
Conditions of Consent currently seek that dilapidation studies are to be conducted before and after construction, but how is monitoring and repair of the condition of Benambra road being undertaken during the construction to ensure the safety of the local community including for the Schneiders Road Crossing?
Benambra Road is a school bus route and facilitates transport of some children across to St Pauls College in Walla Walla.
The development should not cause expense to local Council and rate payers to maintain and monitor the road.
Consideration of the agricultural practices conducted along Benambra Road must be given in view of the traffic increases to ensure that agricultural machinery and livestock movements can continue without disruption.
It is noted that the modification states the increase in the development footprint is within the existing project boundary and that modifications are allowed that are ‘substantially the same development’ however, the considerable increase of 50,000 panels may warrant review of other aspects of the development such as flood studies particularly in view of the additional creek crossing and waterway.
Comment from DPI should be sought in relation to the modification to consider any additional land use or agricultural conflicts due to the modification and it is noted that one neighbour has queries regarding heat impacts in view of the increased density of panels.
We thank you for your consideration of these matters and look forward to the response.

After driving down Benambra Road recently I do not believe any transport associated with the development should be allowed to travel at all on the unsealed Benambra road. It is bad enough as it is. The road should be sealed at the expense of FRV to ensure the safety of the people of our community and if not then ALL traffic associated with the development should only use the main entrance via the Olympic Highway & sealed section of Benambra Road including all light vehicle traffic. During construction FRV should also be responsible to maintain the Olympic Highway and Benambra road intersection and the full length of the bitumen on Benambra road to the development main entrance. I would be interested in RMS comment about truck banking on the Olympic Highway at the Olympic Highway/Benambra Road intersection due to the increased truck numbers on the highway and whether there will be increased truck numbers around the roundabout at Culcairn and how the southern Olympic Way Culcairn town entry which is already in major disrepair will cope. Fatalities have occurred on Benambra Road in the past, we do not want any more and the safety of our community is of the utmost importance. Local traffic only signs should be placed where development traffic should not be travelling and if the road remains unsealed then further action should be instigated by Council to change the unsealed section to a weight restricted road to avoid the large trucks including the use by the current quarry trucks except for the use of local agricultural landowners moving their commodities.
What is the next calculated modification going to be, how can such a massive difference in truck and panel numbers not have been evident for the previous modification.
Why does the local community have to keep looking at modifications, very painful and annoying.