Tilbuster Solar Farm

DPI Fisheries submission on EIS attached.

Thank you for requesting WaterNSW's comments on the EIS for the proposed Tilbuster Solar Farm (SSD 9619). Please note that as the subject site is not located in close proximity to any WaterNSW land or assets, and as an SSD any flood works or licensing approvals will be assessed by others, the risk to water quality is considered to be low and WaterNSW has no comments or particular requirements.

EPA response to SSD-9619 - Tilbuster Solar Farm

BCD response as per attachment.

Heritage Council of NSW comments attached.

Dear Sir/Madam
Great to see private enterprise investing in the future clean energy needs of NSW. This project has the potential to create many direct and indirect jobs in the construction of the farm and in the maintenance and general operation. Having grown up in Newcastle/ Hunter Valley and after leaving school working at Mine Sites, Power Stations, BHP, Orica, the Aluminum Smelter and the Sulphide plant at Cockle Cr Lake Macquarie I have had first hand experience at the massive negative impacts in regards to the environment and pollution within these industries.
So with this in mind I encourage you to see the benefits of what a solar farm will offer in regards to reducing pollution within land and air, reducing the health problems of fellow Australians and creating new clean industries without major impacts on surrounding lands, water ways and agriculture all whilst creating many jobs in this local area and producing clean energy for the people of NSW.

Kind regards
John Purnell

Crown Lands request an assessment of the potential impacts of the proposal on the use of Crown roads for access and provision of an overlay of infrastructure identifying its impact on Crown roads so that advice can be offered on possible road closing applications and licencing. The proponent will also need to clarify the status (Crown or Council) of the access track to the project site from New England Highway.

Crown Lands request an assessment of the potential impacts of the proposal on Crown land bisecting the proposal shown as ‘unidentified Crown land (reserved for aqueduct)’ so that Crown Lands may provide further advice on the use of this land. The EIS did not identify the potential impacts on this Crown land adequately and requires further information. Crown Lands has also requested an assessment on land status and Native Title status of the ‘unidentified’ Crown land and expects further consultation with the proponent on this parcel.

This is a pre-approval matter and should be sent to [email protected] for a coordinated response from both NRAR and DPIE-Water. Please do not send NRAR pre-approval requests through the major projects portal.

This project will generate jobs and better power infrastructure for the area.

Please find attached DPI Agriculture's Response.

Thank you

Please find attached the MEG response to the request for comment on the Tilbuster Solar Farm - EIS document.

To Whom it May Concern

RE: FIREFIGHTING, BUSHFIRE & GENERAL ACCESS PROVISIONS FOR ADJACENT PROPERTIES

The following comments relate primarily to the impact of the proposed Tilbuster Solar Farm on the adjacent rural properties particularly in relation to maintaining appropriate access for the control of bushfires.

Specific responses to these questions are requested so that any necessary modifications can be included in the detailed design for the project if it is approved to proceed to construction.

Item 1: Is the location of the proposed 2m high perimeter fence on the existing boundary between Lot 125 DP 755823 and the proposed Solar Farm?

Item 2. Will the 2 existing gates in the boundary with Lot 125 DP 755823 be replaced with 2 new gates in the proposed perimeter fence?

Item 3. How will firefighting vehicle access be provided through the proposed Solar Farm to the existing/new boundary fence gates to access "Pinaroo" (Lot 125 DP 755823) and other local properties?

Item 4. Will the 2 existing floodgates in the boundary fence between the proposed Solar Farm and Lot 125 DP 755 823 be replaced with new floodgates in the proposed boundary fence?

Item 5. Will the proposed 2m perimeter boundary fence be constructed and maintained at no cost to the adjacent landowners?

Item 6. How will the proposed perimeter boundary fence be constructed to maintain it is stock proof condition during construction?

Thank you for your consideration of these matters.

Andrew Pearson
"Pinaroo" Lot 125 DP 755823

Please see attached, the TfNSW Response the the EIS (Requesting Further Information).

As a working manager/director of a successful rapidly expanding rural contracting business, I must lodge my strongest opposition to the large scale 150 MW solar farm proposed on land adjacent to the New England Highway 17 kilometres north of Armidale. The Tilbuster Solar Farm is to be built on prime agricultural land, currently operating in intensive livestock and hay production.
I vehmently object to the establishment of large scale solar farms on arrable farming land. Whilst the need for replaceable energy sources is vital it should not be at the expense of agriculture.

Heritage NSW ACH comments attached. In principle support. Support all recommendations in ACHAR. Strongly recommend footprint alteration to avoid Aboriginal scar trees.
For more information phone Roger Mehr on 0459075354 or email [email protected]

I have received the information regarding the proposed solar farm and have also viewed the information, maps and photographs online.

As one of the ‘receivers’ affected by this development I would like to lodge my objection to the proposal as I believe it will affect the value of my property as well as my emotional quality of life.

The photographs included with the proposal show a view for my receiver location from the New England Highway. The Highway is one of the lower points in our valley and does not accurately reflect the views from the higher points of my property. My house is situated to take advantage of the view (which will be right opposite the development) and situated at a higher point than the highway.

My main concern however, is that at present I have an impressive and beautiful view of the entire valley from a point behind my house where a lookout is situated. This lookout has great emotional and personal significance for me as it is the site where my deceased brother’s ashes are laid and I made a memorial there to him. I walk up to the site every morning to enjoy the peace and marvel at the view of the valley and enjoy taking family and visitors to the lookout for the same reason and to pay respects to my brother.

I have also been planning to build a rustic cabin as guest accommodation at this site to take advantage of the view and the lovely bush walks which include a waterfall on the eastern boundary. The view and glare of the solar panels would prevent this plan and there are no other suitable sites on the hill with road access or views on which to build a cabin.
As I was not contacted by any of the environmental assessors while they were doing the study they would not have been aware of the lookout and don’t appear to have done any assessments from the western ridge opposite the proposed development.

The study notes that the views in our valley are of low significance and this is most likely because the study was done, and photographs taken in November 2019, during the drought and bushfires which were the worst in living memory in our area so naturally the views and landscape were not particularly attractive.

I have attached photos (8) of the lookout, memorial and views from it towards the proposed development.

submission

Submission attached.