Walla Walla Solar Farm

My husband and I own a large portion of the land that will be leased to FRV for the proposed Walla Walla Solar Farm.
Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion, and although my husband will present a detailed submission, there are a few quick points that I would like to make myself.

1. I believe this to be a perfect location for a solar farm as the land is nestled away from main roads, is near an existing quarry, and doesn’t have a large number of neighbours.

2. The land is best suited to grazing, rather than cropping, and this will still be possible should the development go ahead.

3. There are enormous benefits to the Walla Walla community, including increased employment opportunities, and all obvious benefits to local schools, businesses and sporting clubs that are associated with population growth.

4. I believe there is a lot of support locally for the project, but people are reluctant to voice their opinions.

5. FRV is a strong multinational company with an Australian base, and I feel very comfortable going into an agreement with them. I am also grateful for the consideration that they have shown to our neighbours.

Thank you for your time,
Caroline Phegan.

As a regular visitor to Orange Grove Gardens and the surrounding area, I believe that this type of long term project would be detrimental to the farming and hospitality businesses in this area. This is a prime farming area and a beautiful part of our country, the aspect of the surrounding area from the deck at the back of the function centre is one of pure rural beauty enjoyed by farm stay, function and wedding guests. The scenery's beauty comes from the paddocks of animals, crops, open spaces littered with huge old trees and everything that is farming.
Its not just the visual impact, its also the economic impact to those close to the site and if these business struggle or lose business because of this, it passes on to other local business. Solar Panels farms don't belong in these types of area's, put some of the non productive, barren land our country has to offer to good use with this type of project, just like they have at Yulara, NT!!

I object to the Walla Walla solar farm as I'm very concerned about the increased fire risk within the solar farm and the surrounding district. The local fire brigade has written to the district fire command center saying they are not prepared to enter the solar farm in the event of a fire outbreak due to the increased risk to fire fighters.
I,m also concerned about using highly productive agricultural land for solar development. This area is one of the only areas in the state which has produced a grain crop and fodder to supply the drought affected areas of the state. As a nation we are currently importing wheat from Canada to supply our livestock industries, when we are known to be grain exporters . This is posing a bio-security risk to our agricultural industries . I therefore believe it is totally inappropriate to be using our limited productive land for solar when there is large amounts of less productive land much more suitable for solar farm development.
There is not enough research on the heat bank effect on large scale solar developments . The impact on neighbouring properties could be very large with increased temperatures affecting pasture and crop growth affecting neighbours profitability.
Other risks within the development include weed control which will be very difficult amongst solar panels. Without proper weed management and fertiliser use the land will revert to unproductive weeds leading to increased fire risk and a source of weeds seed bio-security risk for neighbouring properties.

I am in support of the proposed solar farm being built at Walla walla.
Although I am not a resident my work brings me to walla walla several times during the week . I have conducted my business here for the past 8 years.
My family roots are here in this town,my maternal grandfather grew up in Walla and gave his life serving in World war 2. His name is the only one on the memorial board with a gold cross,denoting his ultimate sacrifice.
Apart from all the wonderful environmental benefits of a solar farm ,of which I am sure there will be much spoken of, the injection of business into the town would have many benefits. The construction workers and their families alone would have a positive effect on the school as just one example . And it would be great to think that the pioneering values of Wallas founding families would echo on into the future as it leads the way in clean energy solutions.
Thank you

Please find submission attached.

As a supporter of moving to more renewable engery I fully support the go ahead of this project.
I also work in the local area and am confident that the development will bring in much needed business to the community and drive the local economy.

The Current proposal by the developer of this project has seen real impacts across the board before even a sod has been turned. The inability of the proponent to engage effectively with surrounding impacted landholders has led to breakdowns and division in the community. I personally have seen the impact it has already had and am fearful that once construction commences there will be more key issues.
The points that I would like the proponent to address:
1, What will the proponent do to ensure that there is minimal impact to the amenity of a rural environement, given that established native trees will not be present until at least 15 years into the operation of the plant many will experience loss of amenity for a considerable period of time.
2, Has the proponent considered adequate compensation for impacted landholders rather than offering a community fund. IF there are already the benefits to the broader community that the proponent claims then surely the proponent should invest more heavily in mitigating or compensating those directly impacted?
3, Will the proponent provide guarantee of the commitment ot the employment levels outlined? The Proponent has made ambitious claims about employment on previous projects but has not held to these upon commission.
4, With a current lack of research on facilities of this size in this environment will the proponent investigate compensation if the impacts of this project deny surrounding landholders the ability to maintain their current agricultural production.
5, Will the proponent acknowledge that with limited capacity in the grid it may be more beneficial to consider investing into the identified renewable energy zones.
6, Will the proponent acknowledge that the land being chosen for use is of a high quality for agriculture and that this land was incorrectly classified in its scoping report based on data that was "best available" and was formed from flawed mapping practices that have not taken into consideration the development that has occurred since the data used to classify this land was researched in the 1980's.
7, Does the proponent acknowledge that the development will impact the current operation of Orange Grove Gardens and that mitigation measures suggested are not in keeping with the scope of the venture to create a business that compliments the agricultural landscape.
8, Will the proponent provide information on where the major employment base will come from. Currently the abilites of towns such as Walla Walla, Jindera and Culcairn will not have the ability to house the employees required. This indicates that any fiscal benefit to the region will most likely be inthe major regional centres.

We need more renewable energy - I believe this is a really important addition to our power grid.
As someone who drives through the area and stays at a family property in Walla Walla quite often, I'm fully supportive of this project going ahead.
This will provide much needed jobs and grow the local businesses.

Please refer to attachment

Please refer to the attachment

I would like to object to this development as I believe the neighbours and surrounding community will suffer from the impacts. There are children, families and productive farms nearby that do not want to be affected by this industrial electricity generating infrastructure surrounding their beautiful farms.
The land in this area is extremely productive for the growth of crops having reliable, climate and good soils. As an agricultural contractor in this area I will lose thousands every year due to the loss of work and other contractors will also be affected. The loss of cropping on this land will also be felt by agricultural suppliers and services. Grain and hay reserves are already diminished by drought and this area needs to be protected to feed stock in other areas. I reject that sheep production will equate to near the previous production capacity as it can not without cropping. Short term solar jobs should not be at the expense of long term local agricultural jobs. The protection of food in our country is becoming more important due to the ongoing drought and solar plants should be on poor agricultural land out west or north where it does not impact agriculture.
Orange Grove should not have to suffer from reduced bookings due to overlooking a construction zone or solar panels. This business has been built from the ground up and now provides employment to many local people. The cabins also now bring people to our local area and increased business to our towns.
I understand that heat impacts need further research to ensure that the neighbouring production will not be affected. The current research reveals that further research is needed on larger scales based on Australia's climate. Evidence should be proven by the company. The neighbours should not be subjected to ANY impacts without appropriate compensation.
No trees should be removed. Screening with small immature plants will do nothing for years. The impact on the local environment including is very concerning and I feel that the questionable benefits are seriously outweighed by the loss that will be caused.
The Olympic way turnoff to Benambra Road may become dangerous with trucks already turning there. Trucks moving through Culcairn and Greater Hume may damage roads.
My greatest concern is that of Bushfire Risk as local RFS brigades will not fight fires in a solar plants due to the hazardous nature of entrapment, high voltage and toxic fumes. The Walla Walla Solar Farm would increase fire risk to neighbours, RFS members and nearby communities.
I am also concerned that sufficient water will not be available for dust mitigation if the quarry cannot supply and water restrictions apply due to low reserves.
Financial assurance should also be provided for site remediation as without this our community could have a solar waste site should the company become insolvent.
I strongly object to the Walla Walla Solar Farm

Biodiversity & Conservation Division response attached

I have concerns over the loss of prime farmland in our local area and the scale of such a large industrialised project. When so much of the state is impacted by such a severe drought, our local region is actually still able to produce crops. Any reduction in productive farmland will mean further negative impacts to food production in our state. I have contact with farmers across the state as part of my job and to see how much the drought is affecting those in other regions is just heartbreaking and is concerning for overall agricultural production, yet here, we have productive farm land that is still able to supply grain and fodder as well as still producing income for our farmers to be injected into our local area and economy, to then have such a large scale industrial project proposed, with foreign ownership, is very concerning. There are also flow on effects to businesses, schools and community organisations in our local area.
Already a large function centre and accommodation provider is facing a major downturn in business which will mean that there will be less visitors to our local area and a major effect to other businesses in our community, including my own.
I run a business in our local area and a large focus of my work centres on farmers and those in our region being captured and telling their agricultural stories in amongst our beautiful rural landscape. My business attracts both locals and visitors to our area. I am also a supplier of services to the local function centre being impacted by this solar farm development. With less people deciding to use these businesses and the loss of the productive farmland with this proposed development impacting productivity and mental health of farmers in our region who have been farming for generations and in a rural area that has always centred on agricultural production and rural industries, this will negatively have flow on impacts for the entire community - schools, local organisations, and other businesses as well.

I am objecting to the Walla Walla Solar Farm for the following main reasons
It has not been demonstrated that it is compatible to the land and community surrounding the proposed solar plant. Not through the EIS nor through consultation.
Through out the community consultation we have asked for information and data to prove this would not effect our Function and Eco Tourism business as well as our bordering farming land, we have not been provided with any data to date to prove otherwise and when asked for the possibility that the paddocks that the function center directly overlook could be left as is, we where told "No" it is a commercial decision and they would take there chances with the department of planning. This only demonstrates to us involved in this process that they where not here to work with us and the community, there was no intent from the start it was just a process, When I asked how was I meant to sell my business to potential brides with a constructions site out the front I was told that if my business went under it was because I couldn't sell it and nothing to do with the Solar Farm. Please see attached a picture of a solar farm in construction, they also talk about vegetation being 4.5m high in 10 years, all a little too late for us, as well as we have placed a wall of 5.5m of hay and it does not make a dent to the view from the function room. Please also see a picture of the vegetation
currently planted around solar farms
The lack of respect for neighbors, in the EIS they have stated I would not provide my booking dates, this is incorrect to both Bison and then FRV on 2 separate occasions we advised them our seasons run from Sept to Mid December then starting in Feb to Mothers Day, every weekend some with 2 to 3 per weekend. It would also be appreciated if FRV when disclosing our financial situation publicly that they presented facts only. We never engaged with them in relation to our business and financial structure. They have also stated in the EIS that Orange Grove Gardens was clearly identified from the start in the Scoping report. This is not the case and was the conversation at many meetings to the fact we where deliberately left out as the impact on our business is substantial to us and the local community.
The reality is I would be inundated in dust, unable to open the glass doors of the function space, cabins facing the same direction, the ability to sell my venue with a construction site out the front and a potential long term dust pan, not having guests return will be detrimental to growth and sustainability of the business, which in turn has the ripple effect to those indirectly and directly reliant on our business. I currently employ 19 staff with a mix of FT/PT and Casual of a very different demographic to a solar plant. It is mothers, teenagers, school hours and function work that I provide across the community, opportunities that will not be replaced by the installation of a Solar Farm. If I am unable to book the function center or maintain the accommodation it will affect staff that rely on work not so readily available in the area
Our diversification has been one that compliments the rural landscape and showcases the agricultural significance of the area.
Solar developments regularly claim that Agriculture and Solar can co exist. Having viewed many of the Solar developments in the region I am yet to see one engaging in a complimentary commercial scale agricultural enterprise. We are concerned for the degradation of the land and that surrounding it. Increased temps and possible climate variations. The size is untested and we don't believe this is the right place nor do we wish to be test dummies when this is our home, business and our kids future.
The area of the proposed Solar is Productive Agriculture land that in a drought has been able to produce food and fodder.
I believe in renewable energy but strongly believe their are more suitable locations not on productive land, better suited on the roof top of every building structure. While we are custodians of the environment and need to protect it for the future, we are also custodians of the land and we need to protect this for the future of food and fodder for the population, Solar plants have been around for some time, yet no one has evidence to show us as farmers that this will not damage the land or that of the surrounding properties.
If there where no impacts that will affect the agricultural and surrounding lands then why not provide this evidence, this is not the desert or Barron land it is dry acre farm land that produces good yields with natural rain fall.
We need to protect our food and fibre industry especially when this region is still producing and a large portion of NSW has been unable to do so because of extreme drought.
These are industrial projects not farming projects and no one has been able to demonstrate that they are compatible to farming in this region and the conditions we produce under and until this can be demonstrated Industrial projects like these should be placed in areas where it will not have such a financial, social and production impact on the broader community.
Lack of evidence of long term benefit to the community and any short term financial gain would possibly benefit Albury/Wodonga and not the Greater Hume Shire community because of the close proximity and housing availability.
We never asked for this, it has placed mental strain and stress on our future survival and divided a community and will have continued long term impacts if approved.
I do not believe it sustains long term growth and sustainability to the community past it’s construction stage, these belong in less arable areas where the department of planning has identified potential renewable opportunities and the Greater Hume Shire is not one of these areas.

Loss of productive agricultural land . There is a lot of land in this country that is no good for anything else so why not utilise it instead of using land that is sustainable of growing crops and feeding stock