Walla Walla Solar Farm

Attached.

I strongly object to this nonsense ; 190 yrs my family have farmed this region ; our journey here was not easy and the reason for our journey was also unpleasant - so here we were and we battled everything a harsh country could offer up - fire flood drought ; and all these years later we are still fighting the very same elements along with much more - simple thing is this is farming land - they are paddock tree's ; stop messing with our minds as it has a run on factor and it encompasses a generation much like a drought - no i have never made a political donation or am i likely to because of rubbish just like this project - Please take your project to where it will be more efficient therefore more viable until it is reduced to landfill and replaced by something a little more nuclear and just leave our land our villages and our cluster alone - we do not need you and you do not need us ; you have the money to about turn so just do it and stop wasting our time - your time and your money ; my feeling is if allowed to go ahead it will end up back in Japanese hands - My family were interned on their own land here ; Germans on the run from Germans ; Jacob - Kilo - i have two books very short but very amazing but i cannot seem to attach them but if someone was to give an hour of their time to google Walla Walla Australia on Wikapedia then it would show more of what us peaceful Lutherans are about .

please see attached petition signatures and comments on Objection of Walla Walla Solar Farm run through change.org, was unsure how else to submit.

We support the transition to renewable energy, and this project in particular because from what I understand, Walla Walla Solar Farm will;
- Reduce carbon emissions by more than 520,000 tonnes per year.
- Create` 250 jobs during construction and possibly up to 21 full time jobs during operations.
- Proposal can co-exist with current farming activities including sheep grazing as there is a part of the land only that will be used for the solar farm and therefore the impacts to current farming activities are minimal.
- We are in contact with many developers and FRV is a well-established and experienced company who have demonstrated that they are committed to the Australian market as a developer, constructor, owner and operator of renewable energy assets, as opposed to selling off developments in chase of a quick buck.
- We understand that FRV are providing a Community Investment Program which will give sustainable benefits for the community for the long-term.
- Solar farms have a far less visual impact say as opposed to Wind Turbines or Nuclear plants or even any type of fossil fuel generation plant.
- At decommissioning, it is demonstrated that the land can be restored and returned to its original use, again making the overall impact far less than any other energy generation plant.

We hope that this application is approved and that this project can get off the ground and that the job creation, community benefits, and clean energy production can commence.

Programmed is Australia’s largest recruitment and labour supply company and an avid supporter of the Renewable Energy industry. We specialise in recruitment and labour hire for many industries including Civil, Building & Construction and the Renewable Energy Industry. Programmed has a branch network across Australia and have over 15 branches in NSW alone in both Metro and Regional areas.
Large infrastructure projects such as the Walla Walla Solar Farm are not only important as a source of renewable energy but the benefits to local communities are tenfold. These large projects can employ hundreds of people from local and surrounding areas, not only assisting with local jobs but even bringing key employees skillsets and roles from all over the state. These projects can provide excellent training and on the job learning for many employees leading to the upskilling of the workforce and assisting many employees in gaining similar future works and increasing their overall experience and employability across a variety of industries.

Programmed fully support the Walla Walla Solar Farm project as we know that it will be responsible for the employment of hundreds of jobs, will attract new people to local towns as well as providing a huge injection of revenue into the local surrounding areas (e.g. accommodation dwellings, supermarkets, eateries, petrol service stations and many more). This project will also provide a key source of revenue and supply for our Albury and Wagga branches who would be responsible for servicing and supplying this project (so the flow on effects reach much further than the local areas). With companies like FRV building and developing these solar projects this can also create longevity employment options as there could be opportunity for employees to continue and travel from one project to another also. Programmed have witnessed all the above through working on other large solar projects and seeing firsthand the benefits these projects provide.
By companies such as Programmed supporting and partnering with companies on these projects, this also opens the door to bridge the gap on Indigenous Employment as Programmed have a National Indigenous Employment Program as well as helping diversity thrive in the workplace through Programmed's Diversity policy and strategy for Diversity in employment.
Overall the Walla Walla Solar Farm Project will have positive outcomes all round for the environment, the local towns and communities, for regional employment and for economic stimulation to many towns, companies and parties involved.
Programmed has enjoyed attending the Community Information Sessions and learning about this project.

As a business that was impacted by the Neon Coleambally Solar Farm in 2018. I believe a project like this is greatly beneficial to local businesses surrounding solar farms that are being built in the area. The Colembally Solar Farm had a duration of 6-8 months period which seen an revenue injected into the township of Coleambally, the hotel itself saw on average increase of 70-80 meals being cooked on a daily basis at night, with also an increase in bar sales, bottleshop sales and other areas of the hotel. This created extra roles in the hotel during the construction of the Solar farm and money being spent in employing local people.

Even after the completion of the Solar Farm project we have 6-8 Solar Farm workers regular visit the hotel for many reason, such as food, beverage and accommodation. This is a great example of continue support of a multinational company supporting small communities and giving back to the region.

We support this project along with any major development projects in within this area, as we believe infrastructure is falling behind.
As a local company we are appreciative of any of these projects that are going ahead to support local community and reliable jobs

Good Afternoon,
Please refer to attached submission outlining APA's requirements for the proposed development.
Any questions, feel free to give me a call.
Kind regards,
Ben Setchfield
APA Group
Infrastructure Planning and Protection
Senior Urban Planner
T: 07 3223 3385
M: 0472 829 943
E: [email protected]

Walla Walla Solar Farm Objection
Preservation of Agricultural Land:
Australia only has a certain amount of high quality agricultural land. Many areas in Australia are no longer suited to farming due to effects of ongoing drought. The area surrounding Walla Walla is largely unaffected by drought and the farming land is still successfully producing agricultural crops and raising sheep and cattle.
Due to the ongoing drought and climate change, food prices are predicted to grow. We are importing more agricultural produce due to the prolonged drought. We are well positioned to grow all the food required but if we utilise productive farming land for other uses such as solar we will not be capable of growing the amount of produce required for our own needs. Australia this year imported wheat for the first time in 12 years after drought across the eastern states saw grain production fall last year. This Grain was imported from Canada. This raises biosecurity concerns among grain growers about the risk of bringing in a disease or new weed strains to Australia.
There are many areas in Australia that are more suited to the installation of solar farms. Examples would be areas that are no longer suitable for farming due to drought and lack of consistent water sources. The State and Federal Governments need to have an overall plan which includes building the required infrastructure in communities that would benefit financially and socially from the installation of solar farms.

Change of ambience of Walla Walla surrounds:
Walla Walla is situated in a beautiful country setting. People move here to experience this lifestyle. A large proportion of the surrounding landscape will change from picturesque agricultural land to that with an industrial appearance. The ambience of the area is important to the mental well- being of the local residents. Property values will be affected and no compensation is offered to affected residents.

The area affected includes a well- known, locally operated wedding venue. This business has been operating successfully for many years. The local family who have invested emotionally and financially to build this centre will find it difficult to attract clients when their main outlook consists of a view of many industrial solar panels.

Heat transmission from the panels:
This will impact upon local climatic conditions and result in heat transmission out of the solar farm and into close neighbouring properties. People in neighbouring areas could suffer health issues and loss of vegetation and gardens. As the area is known to reach temperatures in the mid- forties in summer a rise of several degrees will be very unpleasant for the nearby residents.

After the contract expires:
How will the local residents be assured that the area will not be damaged or left in a state of deterioration when the contract finishes? What will Greater Hume Shire look like in the future with huge acreage taken up by solar panels? At the moment it is a picturesque area but it could quite possibly become an eye- sore in the future. The Company developing the site is foreign owned. There is nothing to stop it on-selling to another foreign company, who then, may not adhere to the original agreements such as removal of infrastructure after the contract is finished. We have been assured the land owner will be responsible if the company does not reinstate the land to its original condition. However in thirty years’ time the original landowner may not be living on the affected property.

Tree Removal:
Many trees are to be removed for the construction of the solar plant. This is a significant loss of native habitat in the area.

Ongoing Dust problem:
It will be difficult to maintain vegetation below the panels. This could create a significant source of dust for nearby residents. I understand the suggestion is to allow sheep to wander around and under the solar panels. I would question, in summer with the heat generated by the solar panels, that this would be an appropriate solution.

Weed management under and around panels:
This will require large, regular doses of chemical herbicides. This will be a possible health hazard for local residents. The compacting of the soil and the change in the microclimate under the panels will have a long-lasting effect on soil productivity.

Fencing and Screening:
Indications are that the area will be fenced including the use of shade cloth. It will not take long for the shade cloth in windy conditions to become unsightly and dilapidated. There have been suggestions that the area will be screened by suitable vegetation but the details of this are not transparent. It takes many years for such planting to be effective. Will the residents be properly informed of what vegetation will be used and how long this will take to effectively block the unsightly view of solar panels? Will the vegetation be monitored and maintained.

Bushfire risk:
The bushfire emergencies occurring in NSW and Queensland highlight the problems inherent in the installation of solar panels in rural/residential areas. We understand that bushfire brigades are not happy to enter the property in the event of a bushfire. It is difficult to fight a fire with the close placement of the solar panels.

Fires causing release of chemicals into the atmosphere and the neighbourhood:
What is the situation in the case of fires regarding the release of chemicals into the atmosphere from the burning infrastructure (panels, batteries, etc.)? The air-quality in the event of a fire involving a solar farm would have a catastrophic effect on the health of nearby residents and the fire- fighting crews. In the case of asthma sufferers this could be problematic.

Insurance Cost Increase for Residents:
If a fire breaks out on a neighbour's property and damages the solar plant how does the resident ensure their insurance policy will cover this? It is likely that insurance policies will increase for nearby residents.

Bird life:
Conservation of habitat and species: Species diversity and habitat will be destroyed by the clearing of local trees and vegetation.

Problems During Construction:
Local residents will be adversely affected by dust, noise and traffic movement. There will be a large number of trucks driving down local dirt roads during the construction. Will local councils be reimbursed for this and roads maintained/repaired immediately damage occurs? During construction we have been informed that the noise level of installation is well over acceptable levels of noise pollution set down by the Environmental Protection Authority.

The dot points above highlight the reasons for my opposition to any solar farm in close proximity to the township of Walla Walla.

The proposed land is productive farming land and potentially damage this and neighboring land by removal of trees and disrupting natural ecosystem