Walla Walla Solar Farm

I fully support solar farms in my local shire, Greater Hume, as I believe sustainable energy projects are vital for the future of Australia and I am proud to say that these projects are happening in my area. I have family in Dubbo and I know how successful the Dubbo solar farm has been with multipurpose agricultural land use. I fully support and commend the land holders of the Walla Walla solar farm in their decision to harvest energy from the sun in a new wave of farming opportunities and practices.

I fully support this project for many reasons. I grew up in Albury, and despite now living in QLD, I visit as often as I can as my mother and father still reside in Albury. As a young kid and into my teens, I played AFL football in and around many small county towns including Walla Walla, Henty, Howlong, Walbundrie and Osbourne etc. I know these towns very well and appreciate the hardships they face like all small rural farming towns.
This project ticks all the boxes. It is a very clean and efficient source of renewable energy, it helps combat climate change but also very importantly it will help sustain the local community creating hundreds of jobs during construction.
I believe we should be farming more solar energy over livestock in certain areas regardless. I know the ongoing tough conditions and droughts farmers face make it very hard for farmers to efficiently use their land to be able to pay bills and provide for their families. Superior clean projects like solar farms are an ideal way not only to provide clean energy but also to also provide a source of income to rural families in these tough times. Whether it's a mammoth solar project providing and powering a community or a small purpose built solar project powering its own property, it is the way of the future. Alternatively we will keep paying exorbitant costs to large power providers.

In regards to this Walla Walla project in particular, the positives well outweigh the negatives. Its a project that must go ahead to provide clean energy, employment opportunities, fight climate change and help sustain the nearby communities. In regards to the neighbouring property, I have personally attended my sisters wedding at Orange Grove. Their argument is absolutely ridiculous. They have plenty of space and areas they can take their customer's wedding photos. I'm guessing Orange Grove do not currently pay the the proposed solar farm property money for the privilege of taking photos with their land as the backdrop? Nor would they do pay the rates, the mortgage or any bills. Orange Grove do not put food on the table for any of the neighbouring farming families and they should be ashamed of themselves not backing such an important project for the local Walla Walla community.
The sooner this project goes ahead, the sooner employment opens up and we start making clean and affordable energy whilst combating climate change.

I have recently read media reports on the project and would like to add my voice to the many supporters of solar power. I am a strong supporter of renewable energy and as such consider the Walla Walla development extremely favourably. I am a health professional who travels regularly for my work to rural and remote locations around Australia and often see first hand the great economic benefits to communities that are embracing solar. I am a supporter of the Aust Climate and Health Alliance and am very aware of the many challenges faced by the nation in relation to global warming, in particular health related challenges. I believe we should be embracing every opportunity available to alleviate any further warming. In my own home I am using solar hot water and in the process of converting to solar power. As a nation it is the only way forward: sustainable, cost effective and capable of generating new employment opportunities.

The Department of Primary Industries has reviewed the EIS for this project and has no comment.

25 November 2019

Planning Services, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

To Whom it May Concern,

RE: PROPOSED SOLAR FARM IN WALLA WALLA, NSW 2659. REF: SSD-9874

I would like to express my strong support for the proposed Solar Farm in Walla Walla (Ref SSD-9874) and my disappointment in those members of the local council that voted against it.
As I understand it, only a small portion of the property has been under crop and viewed from the road it is obviously low-lying marginal country better suited to grazing. I further understand that the landowners will be focusing their sheep grazing on this land – predominantly what they are doing now – and will focus cattle grazing and cropping on the rest of the farm where they will continue to live.
As a mother of young children who refuses to buy imported food for my family, I am greatly concerned about not allowing farmers to financially insulate themselves against the financial impact of drought and failed crops by diversifying their farming practices. As a country we cannot afford to lose the farming industry because farming families have no reliable, drought proof income and are forced to abandon their farming practices to seek employment elsewhere to survive. I believe several neighbouring property owners to the proposed solar farm have sought reliable employment in other non-farming industries. We can have all the best agricultural land in the world, but that means nothing if we can’t continue to affordably farm it year after year. We are frequently short on rain but never short on sunshine.
It is equally important our land remains Australian owned. The proposed site will remain owned by an Australian family and will be leased to a company with a proven track record of solar farm construction in Australia.
I believe there has been scare mongering in the local community to encourage negative submissions which is unfortunate.

I also refer to recent articles in the Border Mail that ‘Orange Grove’ have taken particular exception to the proposed solar farm who have themselves diversified their property by running a commercial hospitality based function and accommodation centre – with no objection from the owner of the proposed solar farm. Their complaint of the visual appearance of the solar farm does not seem to have considered the vast amount of vegetation including large trees to be planted in a thick buffer around the solar farm nor the benefits of the clean energy to be produced by the solar farm. This will not only eliminate the carbon footprint of traditional farming in the area, in fact it will reduce carbon emissions by over 520,000 tonnes per year and will also provide 90,000 homes with clean renewable energy that comes from a reliable and continual source. I believe Orange Grove constructed eco-lodges on their property as part of their commercial business, if their reasons for doing this were truly ecological they would not only support their neighbour’s solar farm plans, but applaud their evolutionary approach for sustainable farming and environmental care in the area.
Further to the above mentioned thick buffer of vegetation to be planted around the solar farm there will also be native vegetation planted around dams, the creation of corridors and placement of nesting boxes to provide habitat for wildlife and promote biodiversity.
We only need to look at the news presentations of the last week, where areas in New South Wales and Queensland have experienced extreme heat conditions and bushfires while at the same time the Sunshine coast has been pelted with hail stones the size of golf balls to see that climate change is wreaking havoc. It is imperative we make moves to clean energy thus projects such as the proposed solar farm at Walla should be encouraged and applauded. We need to evolve our practices now so that our children grow up seeing clean, green, renewable energy as the only way forward and our farms can become resilient to financial lose in times of drought.
I trust now that this application is being looked at on a state level and not a local level where emotions, family connections and friendships run deeply, the positive outcomes of this proposed solar farm at Walla will see a favourable ruling. Let the small town of Walla Walla be a front runner in leading the way to cleaner, greener renewable energy for the benefit of not only the local community, or our great country but indeed the globe.
Yours faithfully.

In my opinion, the Walla Walla Solar Farm is in an ideal location situated away from the main highway and in close proximity to existing industry. It will enhance the local economy by generating additional tax revenue, creating new “green” jobs and boosting revenue for local businesses. Over its expected 30 year lifespan, the Walla Walla Solar Energy Project will generate much needed revenue into this local community. Please review my attached supporting document

I am a local business owner within the construction industry, I understand the impact a solar farm of this scale can have on suppling up to 100,000 homes with renewable energy. As well as the flow on impact this can have not only from a local grass roots level, but the signification positive impact to the construction industry creating up to 250+ jobs!

Makes sense to me as a local to utilise this land for a more sustainable purpose, especially with how tough the farming community have it and the higher % of farmers already diversifying to survive in the current climate. The older I get and my understanding of how we have impacted the environment in years gone by I truly think its of utmost importance to start to forward think and potentially have a positive impact for the future generations.

T & K Hawkins
​​​​​​Jindera Bobcat & Machinery Service
189 Gerogery West / Walla Walla Rd
GEROGERY NSW 2642
Planning Services, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
GPO Box 39
Sydney
NSW 2001
25/11/19

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: Support for the proposed Walla Walla Solar Farm - SSD-9874

I live and work in the immediate local area and I want to express my strong support for the proposal of the Walla Walla solar farm.
As a local earthmoving business I can tell you that our 2nd generation business has been as quiet as we have seen it in recent times. I encourage the prospect of both the construction and operations employment offered as a result of this proposal and further we look forward to the opportunity of working with FRV.
I further understand that Benambra Rd will be upgraded which I am sure would be welcomed by other industry in the immediate area and the hundreds of trucks going to and from Borals Blue Metal Quarry.
The community days have been open, educational and transparent and we are more than comfortable with the project.
We are excited at the prospect of such an economic boost to our area. Renewable energy developments are imperative for our future and for the future of my children and I welcome this proposal to our area.

Regards,
Tim & Kylie Hawkins
Jindera Bobcat & Machinery Service
Gerogery West / Walla Walla Rd

T & K Hawkins
​​​​​​Jindera Bobcat & Machinery Service
189 Gerogery West / Walla Walla Rd
GEROGERY NSW 2642
Planning Services, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
GPO Box 39
Sydney
NSW 2001
25/11/19

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: Support for the proposed Walla Walla Solar Farm - SSD-9874

I live and work in the immediate local area and I want to express my strong support for the proposal of the Walla Walla solar farm.
As a local earthmoving business I can tell you that our 2nd generation business has been as quiet as we have seen it in recent times. I encourage the prospect of both the construction and operations employment offered as a result of this proposal and further we look forward to the opportunity of working with FRV.
I further understand that Benambra Rd will be upgraded which I am sure would be welcomed by other industry in the immediate area and the hundreds of trucks going to and from Borals Blue Metal Quarry.
The community days have been open, educational and transparent and we are more than comfortable with the project.
We are excited at the prospect of such an economic boost to our area. Renewable energy developments are imperative for our future and for the future of my children and I welcome this proposal to our area.

Regards,
Tim & Kylie Hawkins
Jindera Bobcat & Machinery Service
Gerogery West / Walla Walla Rd

See Attachment

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: Support for SSD-9874 – Walla Walla Solar Farm

Grove Welding and Maintenance provides its support for the development of the proposed Walla Walla Solar Farm as an economic growth opportunity for the Great Hume Regional local government area, and particularly for the Walla Walla and Culcairn communities. Construction of the solar farm will provide the opportunity for local construction industry employment and use of the local supplier businesses like ours for construction of materials and services.

It is our understanding that once constructed, the solar farm will supply power to households and businesses in this region and across Eastern Australia, further reducing the need for use of fossil fuels like coal and gas. Once constructed, the solar farm will also employ 21 workers and provide employment opportunities for local families to grow and develop here and for local family businesses like ours who value the support of the Walla area. These families of those employed on the solar farm will contribute to the development of society in the region through attending school, participation in sporting clubs, use of health and professional services and the purchase of other provisions which will support the continued economic development of businesses in the Greater Hume area.

I understand the solar farm has also proposed support for community grants to support community groups. These grants will provide direct funding to community organisations that would otherwise find it difficult to raise funds for local community social activities or improvement of community assets.

We wish the Walla Walla solar farm every success.

Regards,


Jeremy Grove
Grove Welding and Maintenance
22/11/19

I have been reading about this project in the media and wished to voice my opinion.
Aside from the fact that I am a supporter of renewable energy and that I would like to help combat climate change by supporting these projects I am also big on the Human Element of these stories.
Of recent times I am constantly reading about the tough state of Farming in our region and further North. Farmers are on their knees and many of them are taking the most drastic of action which is heartbreaking.
There is no doubt in my mind that we should be encouraging Farmers to diversify so that their properties and their own livelihood is sustainable.
Walla Walla is a small community with no new jobs on the horizon. This project will provide up to 250 jobs during construction over 2-3 years and then 21 full time jobs during its operational life. This will have a flow on of enormous benefit to the schools, shops and surrounding businesses of Walla Walla.
I have also spoken to many people who are knowledgable in this field of expertise to make sure I am not getting my facts wrong and in doing so have learnt of benefits that make this project more appealing.
• 300MWac of clean renewable energy.
• Will be capable of supplying over 90,000 homes
• Reduce carbon emissions by more than 520,000 tonnes per year.
• The importance of our future energy supply coming from renewable sources.
• Proposal can co-exist with sheep grazing as the project is only utilising 14.93% of the land
• Developer is a well-established and experienced company who plan to manage the asset for the full life cycle.
• Revenue injected into regional areas. Diversification of skills.
• Community Investment Program providing sustainable benefits for the community for the long-term.
• Impacts are minimal as areas can be retained and respected within the solar farm design.
• Having read through the EIS it is evident fire management, environmental management and community engagement are key considerations for the developer.
• Working with local Landcare group. Project is enhancing biodiversity by planting to create corridors, enhancing farm dams, placing nesting boxes throughout the site.
• Excellent way for farmers to diversify and become more resilient to the impacts of drought.
• Low lying and quiet energy provider as opposed to other projects that are eye sores.
• At decommissioning the land can be restored and returned to its original use.
I am happy to be contacted on the details I have provided earlier if anyone would like to ask any questions.

i support renewable energy sources

I fully support this project for the following reasons:
The long term benefits both locally and to the state far outweigh any perceived negative impacts that have been highlighted. i am of the opinion that there will be no impact at all on any neighbours or businesses next to the development site.
All of the concerns have been addressed in the EIS and I believe the project has been well planned and deserves to go ahead. One of the big issues claimed by opponents is the loss of agricultural land. I would say that by running sheep under the panels it is still in agricultural production and at the end of the lease it is returned to farm land, unlike residential subdivision. this land is gone for good.
furthermore I believe that the landholders should be able to do what they please with their land and what better way to use this land than for clean energy generation and sheep grazing.
Also the building and operation of the solar farm will provide on going benefits to the local community for the duration of its life as well as during the decommissioning phase.

I am property holder directly opposite the proposed Walla Walla Solar Farm in the Greater Hume Shire of New South Wales. My concerns regarding the proposed development follow. The concerns are not listed in order of importance as I believe all are of major significance.
• The use of valuable, productive and fertile farming land. The food production of the land is of major importance as the climatic changes occurring in this country reduce the ability of widespread agriculture in other areas, both crops and livestock, to provide for the future supply of food.
• The removal of any natural vegetation directly impacts the biodiversity of the region.
• The heat generated by the Solar Farm creates an increased cost to farmers affecting their livestock, such as water requirements, as well as drying the surrounding environment.
• The risk of fire which may be uncontrollable due to the structures in place supporting the panels is a danger to the region as access would be limited.
• The visual impact on the rural environment affects land values in the immediate area.
• My property is a ‘lifestyle block’ of two hundred and fifty acres which is located at the intersection of Benambra Road and Weeamera Road in the Greater Hume Shire. The property directly faces the Proposed Solar Farm which will reduce the value and saleability of the property.
• My property is a source of income and the Solar Farm adversely affects future financial plans for my family.
• Initially I was not consulted about the proposed development as other property holders were as there is not a dwelling on the site at present. Consideration for consultation was given to properties with dwellings but I consider the production value of any surrounding land to be of equal importance to farm residences. That value may be from agricultural activities or businesses which also rely on income generated from the land.
• The area under consideration for the development of a Solar Farm, from the information I have received, is not a targeted area for the development of a renewable energy site in New South Wales.
• The companies developing such sites will earn significant profits over time but appear to do so with little expenditure on their part in relation to long term income. Unproductive land is available in outlying areas where companies will have to spend more to establish the projects. The income generated by renewable energy sites away from productive agricultural areas will still earn the profits they desire in the future.
• Farming communities and companies rely on agriculture as their livelihood which has a flow on effect for the food production of this country. It is extremely rare that this area does not produce significant amounts of grain and other produce annually.

My husband James O'Neil and i strongly support the Walla Walla Solar farm proposal. As licencees of the Gerogery Hotel we welcome an increase commerce this project will bring to the area. Not only will it directly benefit our business it will also be a massive economic injection to business' in the surrounding towns. We are also strong supporters of renewable energy.
We see daily the heavy burden on patrons minds in a slowing economy and we feel fortunate a company like FRV are showing interest in our area.
We wish the solar farm every success.

Please see attachment

Dear Sir/Madam,


RE: Support for the proposed Walla Walla Solar SSD9874


Further to the above I wish to pledge my support for the project based on the fact that I am a huge supporter of renewable energies and have a full understanding of the boosts this project would make to the economy of the region already suffering from the effects of drought, industry downturn and unemployment.


I have witnessed solar farms in operation in a number of regions both in NSW and Queensland and I am impressed by the way they have been constructed, merging themselves into the landscape and exhibiting no optical pollution whatsoever.


The vast on-going employment opportunities will have an immense impact on the town itself and surrounding community, and will provide energy/power back into the grid as a cheaper renewable source – as we deal with the effects of climate change.


FRV are clearly a well established company who are very professional and will be welcomed in the district.


In summary I thoroughly recommend the approval of this proposal to the parties concerned.

As a small business owner operator in this community I feel this project is a very positive addition to our area now and in the future. Above this I fell the option for our electrical contracting company to be of some service to this project is quite exciting. I see only positive coming from this proposal for all concerned local state & federal as renewable energy is without doubt the future.

To Whom it may concern,
I am the owner of a large portion of the land on the currant largest solar project in N.S.W. The impact on the local community has been a positive one.
The increase in jobs, rental prices, local trade have been exponential for the micro economy of Coleambally. Walla Walla would be lucky to have this gift.
I understand the area well as this is were i attended my last 3 years of school at St Paul's Collage. This community has a great history and strong moral binding that would give direction to such a project and make it achievable.
The land in Walla Walla that the solar farm is proposed is marginal at best and offers the grater state of NSW an opportunity to contribute to a larger problem of renewable resource. This does not mean that it will be out of commission for agriculture as most of the solar farms to date have proven. Sheep have been integrated and run very successfully. On an average 24 inch rain fall this will be paramount.
The investment by solar providers in local economy will help support the community for year to come as it has in Coleambally in give back programs to local residents, sporting groups and infrastructure programs. This is much needed in small towns as it is becoming harder and harder to fund these established traditions.

The resulting back lash on this much need development is due to small town politics and the short sighted few, who's only agenda is to rail road progress for personal gain. There method of intimidation and bullying is childish at best and offers no solution for Australians and there community, I hope that the current administration can look beyond and see the greater good for all. Solar is a perfect solution for a greater problem and local community should be proud to contribute.

Best regards,