Sundown Solar Farm

Please see attached letter

In brief I make comment on basic factors that make the proposal unacceptable.
• Provision for adequate waste management both packaging and old, damaged & broken components
• Consideration of mineral extraction, shipping, &manufacturing processes
• Genuine consultation with Australia’s First Nation People and respect for culture
• Consideration of the real cumulative impact for transportation on main, trunk & minor roads
• Attention to housing & accommodation
• Pressure on labour & traditional workforces
• Pressure on building materials & gravel / cement / water/ steel/ wire etc.
• Workload for government services i.e.LLS / medical / psychiatric / community services
• Assessment of soil and water prior to any construction with astute monitoring and immediate response and remediation plans for any breach
• Provision for immediate fire control
• Disadvantage to immediate neighbours and the wider community neighbourhood
• The risk of 'Moral Hazard' in response to seemingly generous Community Benefit Schemes proposed that entice elected leaders to take a greater fiduciary risk than they should, judging that while it seems good and pleasing at the time to accept attractive community benefit funds - a greater underlying risk of failure lies beyond the immediate future:- for which they would be held accountable:- in the unlikely scenario that they were still in office.

The Sundown solar project is unacceptable because not only does it not address adequate waste management for the end of life of panels in an environmentally acceptable way, and it neither addresses preliminary waste management nor ongoing waste management given that components do not always wait until the designated 20 years to fail and ongoing waste management will need to be planned in a way that does not impact the local community, the community waste management plans or the local environment.

Contamination is a significant issue in the construction of solar panels and therefore in any damaged items and therefore adequate pre-testing of soils and water ways this high in the catchment must be a consideration. Pre-testing must be underpinned with monitoring and reactive procedures to detect and respond, in the event of any spillage incident.

The size and nature of mineral extraction of the vital minerals and the manufacturing requirements for production of components are not adequately mentioned for accountability in projects that claim environmental sustainability.
Consideration of The Modern Slavery Act 2018 must also be a consideration and compliance guaranteed.
Heat Island effect is not attended to for a project proposed in the framework of modifying “climate change” the impact on local climate and ‘the small water cycle’ is not to be monitored, nor is there mention of mitigation planned. The impact of these will not only result in the diminution of Net Primary Production (NPP) on the land but also affect the productive capacity of neighbouring properties as well as the district which is dependent on local weather patterns.
Cumulative impact is an issue to be considered in view of not only the immediate project but also all of those in the NE REZ and all other projects utilising main roads out of the Port of Newcastle and thenceforth the minor road networks including local roads.

Protection of the immediate environment cannot be rated highly enough. As pest animal and weed management is restricted within these developments they harbour pest species to the further detriment of the Net Primary Production (NPP) of the productive land. Furthermore of in highly productive landscapes the “liveable holding” is of a smaller size and the population density is greater meaning that the developments of these types are impacting not just immediate neighbours but the larger neighbourhoods, that cannot be “stitched up” by a Community Benefit Fund.

I object to the proposed to the proposed development on the grounds of:

1. Loss of amenity to the local primary industry owners
2. Health and safety implications of inappropriate use of small no-through roads (Spring Mountain Road and Sturmans Road) by high volume traffic with large trucks
3. Noise and vibration related to the building and use of vibratory rollers
4. Adverse business impacts to stock holdings
5. Availability of a preferred access route via "the Western Road"

I object to the proposed Sundown Solar Pty Ltd project at Spring Mountain, application no.SSD-8911.


The rapid expansion of solar farms raises concerns about the potential adverse impacts on the local environment, particularly water resources. The New England area has witnessed a significant increase in the number of large-scale renewable energy projects including solar farms. These solar farms may generate large amounts of electricity, but their establishment requires vast expanses of land to be stripped of all of its native vegetation and biodiversity and due to cost prioritisation (access to the electricity grid), has led to unacceptable land use conflicts on prime agricultural land.

The construction and operation of solar farms necessitate significant amounts of water, to mitigate dust, construct roads, cleaning and cooling of the solar panels. In regions already facing water scarcity, this increased demand is a huge concern for landholders and agricultural industries along with all of the downstream recreational users or these waterways. The potential for contamination of ground water and underground aquifers poses an unacceptable risk to not only surrounding landholders but all users of the waterways.

Regards
Simon Bonner

I strongly object to the proposal put forward by Sundown Solar Farm to develop a Solar Farm in the Swan Vale area of NSW.

Loss of Highly Productive Agricultural Land
The Swan Vale area has long been known for being highlight productive agricultural area with rich basalt soils and high quality pastures. The proposed area covered by the Solar Farm is in excess of 2000 hectares. This is 2000+hectares of prime agricultural land that will be locked up for 35 years. I am not convinced that at the end of the 35 years this land will be returned to its former state and once again be used or agriculture.

Unacceptable Impacts to Neighbouring Landholders
For those landholders that live along the Strong Mountain Rd, there is an almost 1000% proposed increase in traffic for a period of almost 2 years. I am a regular visitor to one of those properties along Spring Mountain road and I hold grave concerns for safety implications of using this road. Heavy vehicles travelling along this road put human life at risk along with livestock. Living close to this road will become insufferable. The noise, vibrations and dust and pollute the local amenity to the extent people will not be able to continue to live where they do.

Loss of Amenity
This is a quiet country road, those who live along it live a hardworking yet peaceful life. The impact this proposal going ahead will have on their mental health will be immense. For a corporation with no understanding or compassion to be allowed to come into an area such as Swan Vale and cause such unrest, cause community breakdown and impact the local landholders so significantly is abhorrent. They have no appreciation for the local landscape, the values of the area or what will become of the site and it’s surrounds past the 35 year lease period.

Excessively poor community consultation
The community consultation process that has been undertaken since this solar farm as first thought of has been very poor. Those impacted landholders other than the hosts have had little to no opportunity to consider and understand the impacts to them. A coordinated and transparent community consultation should have taken place including Sundown Solar, those host landholders and neighbouring landholders. Host landholders should be made accountable to be open and honest with their neighbours about the project, the impacts and what they see as the benefits of proceeding. This certainly has not been the case. Until this process is undertaken this project cannot proceed.

Having been a casual visitor to the area, and being interested in the intersection of private development and community wellbeing, I wish to express my objection to the proposed privatisation of public roads that service landholders living on the Spring Mountain and Sturmans Roads. As no-through roads these landholders are accustomed to enjoying their quiet amenity and the proposed extraordinary traffic increase will be a significant impact on them.

The proponents will enjoy a financial benefit by using these roads, at the financial and wellbeing expense of local landholders. Given there is a viable alternative for the proponent NOT to create these impacts it is Council’s responsibility to mitigate these impacts on ratepayers and residents by NOT approving the use Spring Mountain and Sturmans Roads for private benefit.

If the costs of the alternative access are a financial burden for the proponent perhaps the economics of the development is questionable. This is just the proponent cost shifting the tiny loss to their private benefits to the residents along these roads, and if Council approves the change to these roads, it will be complicit. I do not believe that ratepayers would consider this part of Council’s reason for being.

I am concerned and object to the proposed Sundown Solar Farm. The proposal to establish a solar farm on valuable arable land raises significant concerns about the trade-off between renewable energy and essential food production, farming, and agriculture. While solar panels offer a sustainable energy solution, utilising fertile land for this purpose seems counterintuitive when it should be prioritised for growing food to meet local and regional needs. It is worth considering a more remote and less arable landscape that would not compromise our critical agricultural resources.

The impact of this solar project on local ecosystems cannot be overlooked. The extraction of water resources essential for agriculture, particularly in light of the imminent dry season and the looming El Nino weather event, could prove detrimental to the region's ecological balance. With the increasing risks of climate change, preserving our water sources for farming and natural habitats becomes even more crucial for long-term sustainability.

In light of these concerns, it is essential to re-evaluate the location and potential consequences of Sundown Solar. We must prioritise both our renewable energy goals and the preservation of vital resources necessary for food production and ecosystem stability. Striking a balance between these needs is essential to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our community and the environment.

As a former Inverell resident with strong connections to the Swan Vale community, I am writing to voice my objections concerning application No. SSD-8911 by Sundown Solar PTY Ltd.

I most certainly understand the need for solar farms to ensure a sustainable future, however more careful consideration needs to be given as to where these are placed. Swan Vale is zoned RU1 Primary production. This is high value agricultural land. Farmers and graziers are the backbone of the Swan Vale community, and their livelihoods will be adversely affected by the Sundown project

The extraordinary increase in heavy vehicle traffic in particular, on rural roads not designed to withstand such volume, will negatively impact the comfort and safety of local traffic (including school buses and ambulances), as well as directly impairing the local farmers who use these quiet rural roads to conduct their daily business and to move stock.

The local Swan Vale community deserves complete transparency at every level of this project, to have their concerns heard, and to have the opportunity to consult with the project developers in a meaningful and constructive way.

As A long time worker at Menari 489 spring mountain road I object to the use of spring mountain road to access the solar farm. The traffic volume alone would kill the place as my self my partner and my young kids use this road to move stock and all other farm Equpment around on a daily basis. The dust would be unbearable and kill off all crops, plants, grass, vegetable gardens and so much more. Yous really need to think about the impact you are going to put on every farm involved by using this road. You really need to look at the environmental side of things the noise and vibration, loss of amenity, financial loss, use of public roads and the massive underground water table. There are other alternatives and other roads with less impact lets have a real think about things and stop rushing into this. reguards Aaron Swaffer

I want to oppose the Sundown Solar proposal to develop an enormous solar array with battery storage in Spring Mountain.

The significant development will immeasurably impact the neighbouring agricultural farming operations due to the large volumes of traffic using the local road network. In addition to the traffic dust, noise and safety concerns for residents and livelihoods will add another layer of stress and financial strain on the community.

The proposal to place a solar farm in this area is the wrong location. Projects of this size must consider the businesses, community and agricultural practices operating for generations. These links are the thread that holds many of these rural communities together. A once vibrant community is being torn apart by this proposal, with benefits to only a select few but a harmful footprint that will last for generations.

Regards

I strongly object to the current proposed development of Sundown Solar for several reasons. Firstly, as a close family member of a resident who will be directly impacted by this project, I am deeply concerned about its potential consequences. I fear that the significant increase in traffic will have a severe negative impact on the farming operations and those of neighbouring farms to the point that these businesses and livelihoods may not be able to continue under these circumstances. This proposed development will make these surrounding farms untenable to operate, and this is not a good outcome for the community.

I firmly believe that a more reasonable solution would be the adoption of the alternative Western Access Road, which could mitigate the adverse effects on the surrounding farming businesses while providing a more direct route for heavy vehicles to reach the development site. The current proposal jeopardises the safety of landowners who use public roads between their properties to muster stock and travel safely. The current proposal would make mustering stock between paddocks that are divided by the public road near impossible. Not to mention, this valuable farming land may become impossible to maintain with such a large disruption to standard operations.

Moreover, I am troubled by Sundown Solar's intention to use scarce water resources in the area. Water is essential for survival during droughts, and given the challenges posed by climate change and the El Nino weather cycle, access to water from dams and waterways on private properties becomes imperative to sustaining these farms.

It is crucial that this development be reevaluated to safeguard the well-being of local residents and ensure their livelihoods are not put at risk irreparably. Instead of prioritising offshore profits, the focus should be on benefiting the surrounding landowners and farmers. Community engagement and open discussions are vital to reaching a renewable future where everyone's interests are considered and protected. The secrecy surrounding this project has already caused divisions within the community, making it all the more essential to include all nearby residents in the surrounding farms and of surrounding towns such as Inverell and Glen Innes in the decision-making process.

I lodge my objection on the grounds of public safety and the cumulative impacts on the community.

Developing a solar array with battery storage at the end of a no-through road, surrounded by farming land and rural properties in the shadow of multiple wind farms and other solar farms, puts the community living in the middle of all these projects and the surrounding communities of Inverell and Glen Innes at immense risk. Our community has first-hand experience of how quickly a fire can travel and the devastation that it causes.

Should an emergency arise through the 35 years of operation, emergency responders must travel extra time and distance to attend the site because the Sundown Solar would save money to widen the public roads of Spring Mountain Road and Sturmans Road rather than to develop the private road and intersection names as the 'alternative road' in the EIS. The 'alternative route' west of Spring Mountain Road is a formed road, is a direct route to the site and travels past no homes.

There is no oversight of the cumulative impacts of multiple projects currently proposed or have been approved in the Spring Mountain Region. This includes the White Rock Wind farm expansion, this solar farm development (Sundown Solar) and transmission lines running between the White Rock Wind Farm linking to Substation near the proposed solar farm and additional very large transmission lines connecting to the national grid mentioned in this EIS from Sundown Solar.
The cumulative effects on local businesses and residents and short and long-term impacts on the community have not been considered. (Study - Australia Institute and the University of Sydney's Renewable and Rural Australia, June 2022).

Regards
Phillipa and Paul Hiscox

Health Issues: There is an unknown longer term health impact on the life and livelihoods of neighbours bordering the project, who are adversely impacted The EIS has ignored the impact this Development has on the mental and well being of the Community, including growing numbers of vulnerable groups including the elderly. Impacts on Swanvale residents in this category who require regular health care, will need to compete with an influx of 400 construction workers. Elderly residents will need to navigate large volumes of construction workers, heavy vehicles and equipment on usually quiet roads. Reduced capacity to adapt to change is high for this age group.
Pressure on already stretched health services and limited access for locals to see health professionals when an additional 400 people are placed within a community.
Roads and Traffic Issues: The 478 vehicles per day along Spring Mtn Rd and Sturmans Rd does not meet Austroads design standards. The standard is a 7.2m wide seal for 150-500 daily traffic volumes. Inverell Council has agreed to a 8.7m unsealed road which meets the less than 50 vehicles per 4 day traffic volume. The Inverell ratepayers along Spring Mtn Rd will be impacted by this project, yet the Inverell Council has agreed not to comply with Austroads design standards.
The 100km posted default speed limit for non-built up areas in NSW will pose a safety risk for the Spring Mtn Rd residents, some elderly, who have no option to use this rd to access Gwydir Hwy to purchase food and farm supplies and access medical and other local services from Inverell or Glen Innes.

Director-Energy Assessments
Development Assessment Department of Planning and Environment
Locked Bag 5022 PARRAMATTA NSW 2124
Dear Director,
Objection to Application No. SSD-8911 by Sundown Solar Pty Ltd
I am writing to object to the proposed development of a 360MW solar farm, battery energy storage, and grid connection at Sturmans Road Spring Mountain by Sundown Solar Pty Ltd, application no. SSD-8911.
My objections are based on the potential impacts on health and safety, water quality, fire risk, and the use of public access roads.
Health and Safety: The proposed widening of Spring Mountain Road and Sturmans Road to accommodate heavy vehicle traffic poses significant risks to motorists, pedestrians, and livestock. The lack of a thorough risk assessment for this increased traffic volume on these access roads is unsatisfactory.
Water Impacts: The proximity to the Great Artesian Basin and underground aquifers necessitates a stringent water assessment to prevent accidental contamination and ensure the preservation of this critical resource.
Fire Risk:The fire risk analysis on relation to nearby agricultural properties is superficial and unsatisfactory.
Use of Public Access Roads: The chosen access route via Spring Mountain Road and Sturmans Road presents avoidable disruptions to local residents and their businesses. Alternative routes with more direct access to the proposes solar farm are available to minimise adverse effects. Moreover more direct access is critical to enable rural fire services to reach the solar farm quickly if an emergency arises
Based on these concerns, I respectfully request the rejection of application no. SSD-8911 in its current form and the implementation of robust assessment processes to protect the environment.
Thank you for your attention to these critical matters.
Yours sincerely,

I object to the proposed Sundown Solar project principally in relation to issues around road safety, massive increases in heavy vehicle traffic and associated impacts on watercourses.

The proposed development by Sundown Solar would see traffic increase on the otherwise extremely quiet rural Spring Mountain to 478 plus heavy vehicles per day. At present, there are less than 10 vehicles, mainly light vehicles that use this road.



To assert that watercourse crossings “will typically be implemented as either bed level or culvert crossings, with crossing upgrades proposed along the Sturmans Road and Spring Mountain Road crossings where there are existing bridges: • Kings Creek at western extension of Sturmans Road – low level bridge • Swan Brook at Spring Mountain Road – high level multi-cell box culvert system” is reckless in the extreme. Pg 192 Sundown Solar Farm Biodiversity Development Assessment Report.



The potential contamination to water that farm stock and downstream fishing anglers rely upon is unacceptable.

Regards
Lyn and Tony Guan

See attached objection

My objection is attached

See attached

Objection to Sundown Solar Farm SSD-8911

I object to the impacts of multiple renewable energy projects in Spring Mountain due to the loss of valuable agricultural land. As more land is converted into solar or wind farms, it will reduce the available arable land for farming and impact the local agricultural industry. Valuable farmland will be taken out of production, affecting the livelihoods of farmers and impacting local food production.

Regards
Lyle Mulligan