Glanmire Solar Farm

I object to this obscene FAKE GREEN SOLAR ELECTRICITY GENERATING WORKS because it is the antithesis of clean, green & sustainable.
It would be an ugly blight on our precious landscape for NO benefit whatsoever to consumers & will cause heartache & contaminating ruination as it degrades on site.

The Starting Step for the Production Of Pure Silicon....SiO2 + C -> Si + CO2 ....IS the Heart of the Solar Panel!

Considering the embedded energy in mining the Quartz, Solar production, transportation from China & the massive toxic waste burden that lasts forever, you'd have to have rocks in your head to approve this imaginary power rubbish that creates more emissions than it reduces.

I object to the company & NSW DPE misrepresenting this ugly, contaminating plan - falsely calling it a 'Farm.'
A toxic DUMP is far more appropriate!

Australia needs ethical, reliable, independent energy & national security, NOT slave labour reliant solar panels, intermittent, CCP reliant energy control which will sabotage Australia.
A Modern Slavery precedent has now been set by the Oxley Bridge Rd Solar Uranqiunty Determination.

Weather dependent, Intermittent, unreliable, inefficient Solar energy is useless to power a modern economy & will cause suffering & death from hyperthermia - due to intentional, unconscionable energy deprivation!

I OBJECT TO THE PROJECT
For the past 2 years a large focus of my life has been opposing the proposed solar plant at Glanmire.
The ongoing stress it has caused me is immeasurable.
I am a directly impacted neighbour.
The result of the visual impact assessment is unbelievable. There is no way this solar plant can be hidden.
We will be uninsurable and our farming operations would most likely have to cease if we are unable to secure or afford adequate public liability insurance.
No consideration has been given to the change 128000 solar panels will have on surface water entering my property, and the damage it will cause.
All forms of consultation with Elgin Energy have been grossly inadequate.
Tim Averill has not been willing to see our point of view throughout the process, recently at the Keystone meeting 20th Oct between Elgin Energy and the Glanmire Action Group, a representative for Elgin accused the group of being brain washed. This caused my wife deep distress and she left the room. According to Elgin Energy’s website they are advocates for Mental Health. I approached Tim Averill and asked him directly what he was going to do about the stress caused to my wife that he had just witnessed.
I AM STILL WAITNG FOR A RESPONSE.
Elgin Energy have not been transparent and cannot be trusted.

I act for Ms J Waterhouse, Ms P Waterhouse and Mr R Waterhouse. Please see attached their submissions in respect of the subject application

This project to build a solar plant on agricultural cropping land is not only detrimental to the environment but will potentially contribute to food insecurity as developers such as Elgin have descended on NSW agricultural land in almost plague proportions.

See attached.

Please see attached.

I oppose the proposed solar farm on the following bases:-
1. The land has been incorrectly classified as Class 4 and 5 land. It is Class 2 and 3 land, so classified by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, local farmers, and agronomists.

2. The proposed land will significantly impact/ potentially cease farming operations on neighboring properties due to insurance risks.

3. The solar plant will significantly impact the scenic/ rural landscape, impacting overall enjoyment, but also diminishing neighboring land values.

4. There are inadequate fire protection measures including an insufficient Asset Protection Zone, and insufficient water supplies for firefighting.

5. The assessment of the risk factors relating to the solar panels, substation, and most importantly the battery system is inadequate as the proponent has not identified the actual systems intended to be used. It is not possible to adequately assess risk factors, if for example you do not know the specific volatility of the battery storage system.

Thank you for your consideration of this submission.

I Object to the Glanmire Solar Farm based on the following key factors-
*The proposed development is going on the wrong location ie-proven cultivation land.
*The proposed development is a threat to food security
*The proposed development is in conflict with existing land use
*The proposed development is within 5kms of a residential area
*Impact on insurance
*Visual Impacts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*The proposed development is in conflict with local planning documents

Please ensure the safety of our rural land, vistas & prime agriculture land & ONLY allow solar farms to operate in the areas designated by the government!!!!!! Stop allowing these companies to put forward applications around populated farming areas, causing locals huge stress & cost to fight this!!! The government should protect this land more & put more stringent rules in place so applications carn't go through on land not suitable for solar & so close to residential areas.

Dear Mr Karl Okorn,
KEY OBJECTSIONS to SSD-21208499 GLANMIRE SOLAR FARM

- The proposed development is located on prime cultivation farming land
The land that the proposed solar farm is to be located on is prime agricultural land. This classification has been proven by an independent agronomist. It can also visually be seen as prime agricultural farming land and has been for the past six years we have lived and travelled frequently on the Brewongle Lane. Over the past six years to our knowledge and awareness it has consistently had crops or livestock on the location. This misuse of proven cultivated farming land, is wrong. Land that is arable, rocky, has minimal growth or cannot by farmed would be a far more appropriate location for a solar farm. The Glanmire/ Brewongle area is widely known as a strong farming and grazing location.

- The Glanmire geolocation and proximity to the Mountains
The increased number of fog/ heavy cloud days and rainfall in this area as opposed to further out west (Nyngan, Narromine etc). This will effect the efficiency of solar and the amount of solar that could be produced. Although solar can still operate on cloudy days, why would Glanmire be a preferred location over one where the chance of fog cover/ rain etc would be minimal to rare. Heavy fog days are frequent in the Bathurst Region across eight months of the year. This is a key factor when looking at locations that can ensure a strong and efficient production of solar.

- Land value
Current land value in Bathurst/ Glanmire area is approx $12000 per acre compared to land value in the for example Nyngan Area which is approximately $600 per acre. When looking at value of productivity in the Bathurst area is it 4-5 dry sheep to the acre, in productive worth of land value in nyngan its approximately a quarter of a sheep per acre if that. Utilising the proposed site for a solar farm, is a waste of good, highly valued land. Following a number of years of drought, fire and floods minimising threat to Australia's overall food security is a major issue. Every available location that can be used for food production is not one that should be wasted, it should be highly valued.

- Risk of Public Liability
Over the past number of years, we have seen how dramatically the Australian landscape can change, from drought, to fire to floods. Installing Solar panels in a farming area proposes a high risk to public liability. If a fire was to start in or around the proposed solar farm, minimising and containing it would pose a strong issue. This would significantly impact on surrounding farms and residents. A grass fire can spread rapidly with massive amounts of damage. Across the road from the proposed solar farm there is dense vegetation and a large number of residences. As well as the proposed location being surrounded by farms who have harvesting in summer. These working farms will be significantly impacted as they will be unable to secure PLI. If a farm can longer operate at capacity wont this again impact on production of food and pose a threat to food security. We might have a working solar farm to help with the generation of renewable energy, however the cost to eat and survive will be astronomical. With the current shortages of food due to recent weather impacts, every little bit can make a high difference.

- Future use of infrastructure
Currently it is projected that solar panels only have a 20 year life span. What happens to the infrastructure on the proposed farm after this lifespan? The steel and concrete needed to erect the panels? How will this impact on the area for future generations? As a resident with a young family, we had planned a long term future in this area. We ourselves have livestock we raise and sell for beef production. We close to live in this area for a large number of reasons. Included in those reasons was the visual landscape back to Raglan. The proposed tree buffers will take a large period of growth to reach the point of being effective. However, increasing the number of trees and vegetation on either side of the highway will increase the risk of rapid fire moving through the area.

- Proposed development is in conflict with Bathurst Regional Council planning documents.
Bathurst is the gateway to the central west, a large amount of ratepayers money has previoulsy been spent of ensuring our gateways to and from the Bathurst Region showcase a landscape encouraging visitors and tourists. Bathurst Regional Local Environmental Plan of 2014, the Bathurst Regional Development Control Plan on 2014 and the Bathurst Region Rural Strategy 2010 all has stated protections for rural vistas, landscapes and regional agricultural Land. This proposal is in conflict with these plans.

Please see the two documents attached below, that are submitted on behalf of the Glanmire Action Group.

Please be advised, a hard copy will be provided by hand to the Parramatta office prior to close of business today.

Whilst i support solar farming, I object to the location of the Glanmire Solar Farm. The proposal is in conflict with this area as a prime agricultural cropping and agricultural production land. Morer and more of our best agricultural land is being removed due to the expansion of tpwns and cities. Solar farms should be placed on land not suited for agricultural purposes.

Objections to the proposed solar plant at Glanmire
SSD-21208499
See my attachments for my objection letter.
attachments pages 12 & 13 of the scoping report
image of Brewongle Lane deceptive photomontage
I have copies of all four (4) documents
Thank you

Bathurst Community Climate Action Network supports approval of Glanmire Solar Farm. Submission is attached.

14 December 2022

To whom it may concern:

As a resident of Bathurst, I give my full support to Elgin Energy’s Glanmire Solar Farm Project.

Since the land the Project will be located on has been used for many years for agriculture, and it has very little tree cover, the Solar Farm will have minimal impacts on biodiversity. Sheep are likely to be grazed under and around solar panels to ensure vegetation cover is managed appropriately. The land on which the Solar Farm will be located has only slight slopes, so that views onto the panels are easier to mitigate. Elgin has made appropriate changes to the layout of the panels to reduce visibility. Screening by trees and shrubs in the line of sight to the panels will reduce visual impacts. There are minimal impacts for connection of the project to Raglan substation. In addition, Solar farms are also considered highly reversible and solar panels are now recyclable.

Elgin Energy invested in specialist technical investigations for a:
o Visual and landscape assessment
o Biodiversity Assessment
o Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (ACHA)
o Historic Heritage Assessments
o Agricultural Impacts (included in Land compatibility chapter)
o Hydrological Assessment
o Noise and vibration assessment
o Social Impact Assessment
o Traffic and Transport Assessment
o Preliminary Hazards Assessment
To mitigate effects, Elgin Energy committed to:
• Enhancement of riparian planting and perimeter planting to improve the water catchment and enhance the local landscape character.
• Setbacks to ensure no impact on views for motorists entering Bathurst on the Great Western Highway.
• Protection of Aboriginal Heritage sites identified in cooperation with the registered Aboriginal representatives who took part in the assessment of the Project site.
NGH Pty Ltd, a specialist environmental planning consultancy, which prepared the Environmental impact Statement concluded that:
The Glanmire Solar Farm as set out in the EIS meets all relevant planning provisions and guidelines and is considered justifiable and acceptable. On balance, the Project is considered appropriate to the:
o Site location, where it will supply nearby population centres, via the grid with
renewable energy to assist with the transition away from coal generated
electricity.
o Site environmental values, where it has demonstrated key values can be
retained or improved in the long-term, specifically:
o Soil heath and agricultural productivity.
o Riparian vegetation and water quality, in this drinking water catchment.
o Landscape character.

In view of all of the above and in aid of the urgent need for the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy,
I urge that this project be allowed to proceed.

Sincerely
Dr Juanita Kwok
276 Havannah St
Bathurst NSW 2795

I am a near Neighbour of the proposed solar plan. I STRONGLY OBJECT to this proposal for the following reasons:-

Firstly we have not been truthfully informed of the full details of the proposed by Elgin Energy.

* I have been a farmhand and farm manager in the Bathurst area for the past 20 years. There is very limited prime agricultural land in the Bathurst district and the proposed site is some of the best in the district. Commonly known as the "Golden Triangle".
* In the years I have lived in Bathurst I have observed and seen the proposed site produce significant crops, including oats, wheat and canola.
* Elgin Energy told us that sheep can still graze under the solar panels. Im not sure if they are aware but sheep require a lot of maintenance including, drenching, vaccanating, crutching, shearing and foot maintenace. Sheep are often "yarded" several times throughout the year. I would like to know how you muster approximately 500 acres of sheep which is covered in solar panels!!
*Stock create a lot of dust (not only during drought), Elgins EIS submission allows approx half a litre of water to wash a solar panel....Get realistic!!
*It is disgraceful that these non Australian companies are even able to get to this point in a submission. Most people dont have the funds and/or knowledge to fight these proposals. Its has cost our community thousands of dollars so far to object this proposed solar plant, which is very unfair and there has been no mention to reimburse us for the costs spent to date.
* The proposed site produces not only crops but fat lambs on a yearly basis
* Being within 5km of the Raglan residential area the proposed development is stopping future growth and subdivision potential for the Bathurst Community
* Bathurst has attracted thousands of people escaping the hustle and bustle in recent years with a fast growing population
*There will be a tremendous amount of work lost for people who work on the proposed site, including fencers, spraying contractors, harvest contractors, hay making contractors
* We will see more than 50% of the proposed development from our front door. We purchased the land & built our property because we love living in a rural atmosphere with no noise, lighting and visual sites of ugly solar panels, containers, security fencing, lights and cameras.
* We have had more than 2 years of stress regarding this proposal, yet we only have 28 days to object, then who know how much longer this will go on. In the meantime, IF we wanted to sell our property, we must disclose the proposed development and who in their right mind would even consider buying a property next to a solar plant? Our lives have been put "on hold" during this entire process
* We have been advised by several real estate agents in Bathurst that our property value will decrease by approximately 40%. Our entire life’s work and savings have been put into our property and we are devastated at the thought of our property being effected by this proposal.
* Elgin Energy haven't answered our questions through the process. Insurance companies wont give adjoining properties insurance due to fire risk, however Elgin Energy say they have spoken to insurance companies in relation to this...but they failed to tell the insurance companies that the adjoining properties would be harvesting and using farm machinery during the summer periods
* Who is responsible should a fire start on the solar plant and spread to our property?
* Elgin Energy's EIS states some 48 container like units for BATTERY STORAGE, what happens when these batteries leak or catch fire?
* These companies chose PRIME LAND because it is arable which obviously makes it cheaper and easier for them to install the panels. PRIME LAND is capable of producing thousands of dollars from stock and/or crops....why dont they offer these proposals to people who have far less productive land and are unable to run livestock or produce crops and would benefit from an income from a solar plant?
* Im not against solar, this is just in the wrong place, DONT PUT SOLAR PLANTS ON OUR PRIME AGRICULTURAL LAND, (HERE OR ANYWHERE ELSE), AGRICULTURAL LAND IS THE FOOD BOWL FOR AUSTRALIA.

My submission objecting to this project is attached.

I have lived at Glanmire most of my life. I have four sisters and we grew up between Sydney and Brewongle (which neighbours Glanmire), after my parents purchased a property there in around 1980.
Myself and my husband are both lawyers and we established our own legal practice in Bathurst in 2015 after working in Sydney and abroad. We decided to settle here in Glanmire, and in 2007 we had our first of four children. We own/operate approximately 750 acres of farming land at Glanmire/Brewongle.
My objections to the construction of the solar plant in this location are as follows:-
1. PRIME CULTIVATION LAND This is the wrong location for an industrial solar plant. The land in Glanmire is prime cultivation land and is well known as the most valuable land in the area due to it’s enviable location, and the quality cultivation soil.
It is ludicrous to construct a solar plant of this size on prime cultivation land, which is outside the designated renewable zone (for good reason) and is classified by NSW Planning as category 2 – 3 quality land, by independent Agronomist, D Harbison.

2. LAND USE We run Angus cattle, sheep and plant annual crops including Lucerne, Oats and Wheat and maintain and improve each year the high-quality pastures on our property. We employ local contractors on the property and purchase all of our equipment and supplies for working the farm locally.
Our children will hopefully continue farming and improving the land also, as they are passionate about the country and understand the importance of food production, respecting the animals and caring for the natural resources we have. They are aware of the privilege and the responsibility they have, in being able to sustain and protect these essential farming practices in the future.

3. FIRE We risk having to cease our farming/cropping operations if this plant is permitted to be built at Glanmire, due to the likely inability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage to adequately protect ourselves and our contractors, if a fire escapes our property during the fire season and subsequently reaches the solar farm in the nearby paddock.
Fire is a real risk, which all farmers are aware of during harvesting season. To harvest when the neighbouring property contains a $100 - $200 million solar plant, which insurance won't cover, is a risk no farmer can afford to take.
It should be moved away from prime cultivation land.
4. PROTECTION OF FOOD PRODUCING LAND Constructing such an enormous industrial plant on this highly valuable rural property, means covering a precious and limited resource of prime agricultural land. The plant ought to be built in the appropriately designated zones to avoid this happening. Why take quality cropping land (which is already in decline) and cover it in solar panels?
The proposed development in this place is a threat to our own food security as it removes valuable and limited cultivation land from the food belt. It should be built in an appropriate location off quality cropping land.

5. CONFLICT WITH EXISTING LAND USE Myself and my husband are passionate about our environment and dedicated to maintaining and improving the land in this area by investing in annual pasture improvement and planting native trees in the creeks, lanes and paddocks.
Constructing a large industrial size solar plant in this location is in complete conflict with 100 years of demonstrated productive capacity of the existing land use in the Glanmire area.
6. WITHIN 5 KMS OF RESIDENTIAL AREA / GREEN ZONE The proposed site is within 5kms of a residential area and greenbelt land. In 2021 NSW Planning made an amendment that noted consideration should be given to avoiding large renewable developments within the 5kms of residential areas and greenbelts.

The amendment applies to this exact situation and the construction of an industrial plant in this beautiful, rare greenbelt area, ought not be allowed.

7. PROTECTION FOR RURAL VISTAS AND LAND The proposed development is at odds with the stated protections for rural vistas and landscapes and rural agricultural land as noted in the Bathurst Regional Local Environmental Plan 2014 B R C Control Plan 2014 and B R C Rural Strategy 2010.

8. UNFAIR PROCESS The solar company, Elgin Energy, has selected a spot that suits their criteria, and then set about ‘firming it up’ by engaging out of town ‘experts’ and PR people to justify their location.

The fact that this is allowed to happen is a disgrace.

We, the local residents, who are directly impacted (by the threat of this industrial plant being built in Glanmire) are left to spent countless time and money countering their claims, with nothing but our own limited resources at our disposal.
We have engaged knowledgeable, local and truly independent experts familiar with the land and location, to report honestly on the quality of this land.
It has taken a terrible toll on the community, and we are all against this proposal.
9. MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY The threat of this proposal has quite literally triggered mental health illness in some local residents and is physically and emotionally draining on the hard-working farmers and landowners within our close knit community, who have dedicated their entire life savings into improving their property, and rely entirely on farming for their own livelihoods and for their family’s future.

10. THE UNAVOIDABLE VISUAL IMPACT The visual impact of this solar plant will lead to the inevitable property devaluation of the neighbouring properties. This is a fact and has been confirmed by local real estate agents.

NOONE wants to move to a rural property to farm the land and live next door to an industrial solar plant. They ought to be built in sensible locations where the visual impact is actually ‘low’.

Please see the letter attached

I feel strongly that this proposal from Elgin Energy is both poorly located and poorly planned with many significant factors lacking in detail and committment to best practice.
I feel the site itself is unsuitable for a range of reasons including - its location in prime farming land, its adjoining properties being highly productive farming properties, the visual importance of the location as the well recognised "gateway" to Bathurst, the inability to adequately viusally protect neighbouring properties due to the topography of the land which is flat and ideally suited to high level farming not solar.
Insurance exposure of neighbouring properties has not been adequately addressed and suggest a lack of consideration and experience of Elgin Energy. It is unreasonable to expect adjoining properties to absorb the massive increase in their annual insurance premium which would ordinarliy sit around $20m cover. The proposed solar farm would likely increase this to in excess of $100m and no provision has been made to address this.
Whilst sheep grazing is being put forward as the solution to "maintining the land use as agricultural" there seems to be little commitment to planning with agricultural and productivity outcomes in mind. Such issues as ensuring arrays do NOT use central drives, that watering stations are set up in the build process, that internal fences are built to enable cell grazing and agreeing access gate locations and type. The laying of water pipes for troughs for cell grazing before electrical cabling is installed is also best practice and height restrictions for growth of vegetation within the solar farm are just some of the issues lacking detail and committment.
Generally I feel this proposal is significantly lacking in a detailed commitment from the applicant around how this will actually be built and run and as such should not be approved. I am not opposed to solar farming however I feel this site is not suitable, the risk to neighbours in not adequately acknowledged or address nor is there genuine committment of the applicant to ensure best integrated farming practice.

I object to this project as I feel strongly that the proposed location is not suitable and there are much better options. I am not opposed to solar farming in general however this location adversely affects the visual entrance to Bathurst and the surrounding farmland. I travel to Bathurst regulary for business and socially for the outdoor recreation and feel this proposal will adversely affect tourism, this is the gateway to Bathurst. I also feel that the adjoining land is all generational working farms and to sit such an industrial project in the middle is completely unneccessary - there are other places more suitable and it should not be approved. Solar can still happen just not on this site.