Birriwa Solar Farm

I object to the project, please see my attached submission.

This solar farm means I will lose one of my friends from the school bus. I wanted him as my neighbour for life.

My name is Dugald Armstrong, and I am 39 years old. My family live at "Pemcaw" which runs along Birriwa Bus Route North and is adjacent to the Birriwa Solar Farm. I am a 3rd generation farmer on this land.
I object to the proposal for the Birriwa Solar Farm as put forward by ACEN.
* The land outlined for the solar farm is productive farming land, and the roll-on effect within the community by removing this productive land from its current use for sheep / cattle production and cropping for the purpose of this project is enormous. In fact, the entirety of the CWO REZ appears to be on productive farming land, and I am concerned as to why the government has marked out such valuable land to be displaced. This land is used to provide food and fibre to this state and to this country.
* The landowners neighbouring the project are going to suffer on many levels; the traffic and noise pollution during construction and operations, the visual impact of the unsightly PV modules (which the impact statements cannot provide a definite number of or size of), the increased number of people within the local community, the change to social and cultural values due to the influx of workers for the project, exposure to toxic chemicals which are emitted from the solar panels and into the soil, loss of native wildlife and vegetation for roads and infrastructure... the list goes on.
* Where are the workers for the projects, not to mention all the other renewable projects within the area, going to be housed? There is already a lack of housing for itinerant farm workers, and therefore a shortage in workers for these landowners. Will these companies take away from the already tiny pool of local workers us farmers rely on for casual work?
* The visual impact of this project is going to completely change the natural landscape of this area, and the neighbouring landowners are left to suffer it. That your company has only acquired land for the project from landowners who do not live here speaks volumes.
* I am concerned for the future of the neighbouring farmers, the market value for their agricultural land once the project is in place. I am concerned for the impact this project is having on the mental health of these farmers, with what appears to be little to no regard from ACEN or any other companies involved in the CWO REZ.
* I am deeply saddened by the thought of this project. I grew up in this community, and I treasure the lifestyle we had then and still have now. This project will take that away from us, and from the future generations of our family who have the right to live and work here without facing the monstrosity of this project.

This solar application has made it very awkward for me when talking to the kids of the families who's property it is on.
When I am older I want neighbours around for support, this solar farm is wreaking that for me.

I first moved to the central west 16 years ago, growing up I always knew I wanted a rural lifestyle to be part of my future, not that I had much previous exposure to the west of the divide. While studying at university I met the person who would make that future possible. Since then not only have I been granted that opportunity at a rural lifestyle, I have developed a deep understanding and appreciation for what it is to be part of Australia’s agricultural community.

Being part of Australia’s agricultural community is not what I thought it would be, it is so much more than a lifestyle. Being a farmer, grazier and bringing up a family in such a community is dedicating your life to the gift of the land, its rainfall and committing (during countless natural disasters) to the future of the ever increasing important agricultural industry. We do it for Australians, I now understand that being a farmer is a selfless act, one for others, these people are not easily replaced. I want this opportunity for my two boys. This solar and battery development is taking away agricultural land, families and the economic benefits for our small and large communities, this is why I strongly object to this development.

Further consideration should be given to the proposed location being within prime agricultural land and the proximity to established multi generational farming communities and potential impacts to lifestyle, financial and health.

To whom it may concern.

As a land holder in the local area I am deeply opposed to the establishment of the Birriwa Solar Development for the following reasons:

1) It beggars belief that productive agricultural land would be considered for this purpose. It is an impost on the owners who have worked tirelessly for generations to produce food and fibre for the benefit of all Australians.
2) There will be a huge financial impact for the owners as their land is swallowed up in this development and also for the adjacent owners who are not involved. Their land will be devalued as no one will invest near such a monstrosity.
3) These solar panels are predominately made in China and contain elements that are poisonous to the environment. There will be an environmental problem when they are worn out as to where to dump them.
4) This project will have a social impact on the local community as land owners will leave, thereby diminishing the community; this will result in a downgrade of available services, health, education, retail etc.

Anne Watts

I object to the Birriwa Solar Farm for the following reasons


1. I object to the solar farm and subsequent transmitters. It is proposed to be in very close proximity to my property and elements will impact dramatically on it.
2. Despite this I have been told that ‘my property is not gong to be impacted by it. That is out side the range of impacted properties.
3. I have received no advice or information about the proposal until today.
4. The transmitters are to be located within metres from my homestead garden, and a unique and valuable mineral water aquifer according to a map sent to me today.
5. The effect of this solar development will extinguish the various enterprises conducted on the property and obliterate the aesthetic and historic value of the property. The value will be stripped from my property and its income capacity will be drastically affected.
6. This development will extinguish the touristic opportunities currently.
7. The impact on the physical environment will cause psychological harm as the life style chosen across generations is removed.
8. A risk to the biodynamic certification is posed by traffic across the property. Breaches of bio-security protocols, imposed by my certification process, also threaten.
9. The transmitters threaten a unique aquifer located on the property containing one of the worlds leading mineral waters.
10. Birriwa Valley is regarded among the best agricultural land in central west NSW.
11. This valley was an ancient home of Mega Fauna, evidenced by their bones and fossils located in the valley. It contains an exceptional and unique fossil field, being catalogued by the Australian Museum, as well as much evidence of the Aboriginal culture and heritage of at least three different Aboriginal language groups who used this valley before European occupation.
12. I understand that 9 renewable energy projects are proposed and will impact this valley and the community in a dramatic and un redeemable manner
13. For these reasons I object to the solar farm.


Mary Salvat
Birriwa Homestead
3894 Castlereagh Highway
Dunedoo 2844
NSW
10/11/2022

Re: SSD- 29508870-Birriwa Solar Farm


□ I declare I have not made any reportable political donations in the last two years.




□ I acknowledge and accept the Department of Planning and Environment’s disclaimer and declaration





Name: Andrew Bowman

Address: ‘Shingle Hut’ Dunedoo NSW 2844


I OBJECT to the Birriwa Solar Farm for the following reasons:


Firstly I would like to raise the issue that as a resident that in very close proximity to the proposed development, I have not been consulted by anyone in relation to the development. I live at R26 on the Birriwa Solar and Battery Project Visual Impact Assessment Figure 1.2 We are in an elevated position and will have massive negative visual impact due to the development. This is absolutely unacceptable that no one has personally taken the time to come and meet with us and listen to our point of view.

The 33kV transmission line as it heads North on the Birriwa Solar and Battery Project Visual Impact Assessment Figure 1.2 is running into extremely flood prone country that have been prone to unprecedented amount of erosion in the last 3 years. Infrastructure and the equipment required to build it will further increase erosion to the plains.

The 33kV transmission lines will negatively impact my business by not allowing aerial culling of wild pigs, which have exploded in numbers over the past 3 years causing significant financial loss by both crop damage and spreading disease.
Where the 33kV transmission line runs North out of the aforementioned map is directly onto my property. We currently have plans to establish centre pivot irrigation on the Western side of the Talbragar River to grow high value Summer crops. These crops need to be sprayed aerially several times a year. This development will not allow me to use my land in the best way I see fit and will financially hurt me and my family.

This proposed development, both the solar farm and the associated transmission lines will have a very real negative effect on the value of my land and all my neighbors land.

I am 5th generation on this land and for over 100 years my family have been able to watch the sun set over beautiful fertile plains. This will be completely destroyed by the presence of monolithic power lines.

I’ll raise it again, but whoever ok’d the route of the power lines across highly flood prone black soil plains is an idiot.

The amount of workers and the associated workers camps that will be required to build this proposed development is too large for a community like Dunedoo to handle. It will absolutely destroy the feeling of living out in the bush where we know everyone that is driving along the roads.

I am completely opposed to this development, and had we been consulted in person could show the developers first hand why.
This will destroy the way of life for the overwhelming majority of the people who live and work and raise children in the study area.

Andrew Bowman
0427 699 457
[email protected]

Re: SSD- 29508870-Birriwa Solar Farm

□ I declare I have not made any reportable political donations in the last two years.


□ I acknowledge and accept the Department of Planning and Environment’s disclaimer and declaration



Name: Andrew Bowman

Address: ‘Shingle Hut’ Dunedoo NSW 2844


I OBJECT to the Birriwa Solar Farm for the following reasons:

Firstly I would like to raise the issue that as a resident that in very close proximity to the proposed development, I have not been consulted by anyone in relation to the development. I live at R26 on the Birriwa Solar and Battery Project Visual Impact Assessment Figure 1.2 We are in an elevated position and will have massive negative visual impact due to the development. This is absolutely unacceptable that no one has personally taken the time to come and meet with us and listen to our point of view.
The 33kV transmission line as it heads North on the Birriwa Solar and Battery Project Visual Impact Assessment Figure 1.2 is running into extremely flood prone country that have been prone to unprecedented amount of erosion in the last 3 years. Infrastructure and the equipment required to build it will further increase erosion to the plains.
The 33kV transmission lines will negatively impact my business by not allowing aerial culling of wild pigs, which have exploded in numbers over the past 3 years causing significant financial loss by both crop damage and spreading disease.
Where the 33kV transmission line runs North out of the aforementioned map is directly onto my property. We currently have plans to establish centre pivot irrigation on the Western side of the Talbragar River to grow high value Summer crops. These crops need to be sprayed aerially several times a year. This development will not allow me to use my land in the best way I see fit and will financially hurt me and my family.
This proposed development, both the solar farm and the associated transmission lines will have a very real negative effect on the value of my land and all my neighbors land.
I am 5th generation on this land and for over 100 years my family have been able to watch the sun set over beautiful fertile plains. This will be completely destroyed by the presence of monolithic power lines.
I’ll raise it again, but whoever ok’d the route of the power lines across highly flood prone black soil plains is an idiot.
The amount of workers and the associated workers camps that will be required to build this proposed development is too large for a community like Dunedoo to handle. It will absolutely destroy the feeling of living out in the bush where we know everyone that is driving along the roads.

I am completely opposed to this development, and had we been consulted in person could show the developers first hand why.
This will destroy the way of life for the overwhelming majority of the people who live and work and raise children in the study area.

Andrew Bowman
0427 699 457
[email protected]

My name is Lou Armstrong and I live at 631 Birriwa Bus Route North, Birriwa, R30 as per the ACEN Visual Impact Assessment report.
I wish to object to the Birriwa Solar Farm.
* This project is far too large for our small community, and it must not be considered in isolation of all the renewable projects as well as the EnergyCo transmission lines within the CWO REZ.
* It will negatively impact on casual labour that we require for our farming business, which we also be of financial burden to me.
* There are 3 houses on my land, all of which are inhabited by my family member. All will have visual consequences due to the solar farm, particularly the residence located at R1 as per the VIA.
* Increased traffic during construction phase will inhibit my farming practices such as the movement of livestock along local roads.
* The destruction of habitat within the impact zone which contains native endangered wildlife is a major concern to me.
* Some aboriginal sites have been identified within the project zone as well as closely surrounding the project zone.
* This project will cause enormous and irreversible negative impacts to the culture, lifestyle and social lives of our close-knit community.
* The impact assessment reports provided by ACEN do not adequately provide details which outline the emissions generated during the lifespan of the solar farm, including the construction and operational phases, as well as the traffic required during these phases.
* The EIS has incorrectly stated that there have been no major bushfires within the zone; I refer you to the Sir Ivan Dougherty Fire in 2017 and a Birriwa to Ulan fire in December 1979. Both burnt out over 50 000 hectares within 2 days. If this was to happen again within the solar farm, the emissions from the burning solar panels would also negatively impact my property in the way of sediment and run off following a rainstorm event.
* It has been brought to our attention that a public risk policy so close to a solar farm would be next to impossible to attain.

I 100% OBECT to this disgusting Birriwa Solar DUMP!!
Primary concerns for NSW/Australia are obviously FOOD SECURITY, INDEPENDENT ENERGY SECURITY = NATIONAL SECURITY!
Birriwa Solar Electricity Generating Works is the antithesis of all of this!
This is part of a plan for energy reliance on the hostile Chinese Communist Party, for immense suffering, for blackouts & for bankruptcy!

It is unconscionable to entomb 1330 ha of dry land cropping & sheep/cattle grazing - food producing land in toxic Solar panels which are a fire, health & safety risk for human beings & stock.
This site & surrounding land, White Creek & Browns Creek will be contaminated as the panels degrade, age, are broken, fractured by hail, if inferior or burnt during the operational life of Birrawa Solar.

There will never be economical or proper recycling of these planned 1 million unethical Solar panels, let alone the extensive piles that will be dumped & abandoned throughout Australia - creating a massive pile of toxic waste that lasts forever!
What a cruel tragedy for future generations!

I do not consent to being harmed by Birriwa Solar & the NSW Goverment's environmentally destructive, fake green Solar/Wind/BESS/Interconnector scam - based on an idiotic, ideological fantasy that is causing intentional ruination of rural NSW, feeding parasitic subsidy suckers & woke wealthy investors/colluding corporates - whilst inflicting electrical discomfort, emotional/social/visual abuse & contamination of our life sustaining food resource land & vital water supplies.

It is ludicrous & irrational to believe that weather dependent Solar panels & Wind Turbines are any solution whatsoever to erratic weather! They are nothing but a damaging nightmare!

The developer's claims that they "aim to become a valuable long term part of the community & local economy for many years to come, helping to maintain the rural fabric of the region & its people" is verbal sludge that has proven completely false for all cursed with these unwelcome, obnoxious, contaminating eyesores!

The Birriwa Solar Farm is to be located on prime agricultural land and will have a significant impact on the local economy with the removal of this production. This will have a dramatic impact on the local schools, sporting clubs and community groups.
I believe the project needs to be reconsidered to be on less productive land in order to reduce the economic impact of the project.

I wish to submit an objection to the proposed Birriwa Solar and Battery Project, application number SSD-29508870 current on exhibition with the NSW Department of Planning and Development.
My name is Jen Armstrong and I will be surrounded by the proposed solar project. I am 67 years old and have been married for 43 years and lived at 631 Birriwa Bus Route North all my married life (location R30 on VIA). I am a country girl, having lived only 43kms away at Coolah prior to moving to Birriwa. Therefore, this has been an idyllic situation for me to still be surrounded by the friends and family whom I grew up with.
My husband and I started off with a small property of 226ha and through hard work and good management decisions, we have expanded our operating farm to some 1489 ha. We have a mixed farming business which compromises sheep, cattle and cropping enterprises.
I have 3 children who we loved raising in this locality. It was a wonderful place to raise a family as we knew all our neighbours and regularly shared social events with them. We have always felt safe in our neighbourhood as well we all had common interests and generally knew where our neighbours were if we needed support for any reason. Raising our children, it was nothing for them to jump on their pushbikes, unaccompanied by an adult, and ride to our neighbours for a visit. We felt safe with them doing this, because this is the community we have created around us. They say it takes a village to raise children, and that is what is so special about our neighbourhood. Another highlight on family car trips, was slowing down along Birriwa Bus Route North and Barney’s Reef Road, for our children to excitedly spot koalas amongst the eucalyptus trees, and wallabies along the road. We value our native wildlife and vegetation, which is of major concern given the plans to upgrade the access road and remove trees, vegetation and destroy native habitats for these animals.
Our eldest son, with his wife and their 2 primary school-aged children, live on our farm (location R11 as per VIA). Our daughter also lives on our farm (location R1 as per VIA). She has a healthcare business which is operated at home, which will be severely impacted by noise pollution associated with the construction of the solar farm, increased road movements and likely reduced internet speeds due to congestion within the network once construction and running of the solar farm commences. My second son manages our property at Carinda in Western NSW.
Many aspects of the solar project are of concern to me; but I am trying to highlight the negative social impact it will and is already having on our family. I am a primary school teacher at Dunedoo Central School and have worked there for 30 years. I am very worried about the additional stress this is having on our family. I am concerned that the solar project (its construction and associated visual, noise, social and lifestyle impacts) is creating an unfair burden on our family and our farming enterprise.
Over the years, we have completed small renovations to our home, to accommodate our growing family and its needs. More recently, my husband and I completed major renovations to our home with the intention that this is where we wish spend our retirement years together; this is our home. Furthermore, our decision to remain on the farm for our retirement was based on our love of the lifestyle, security, camaraderie, natural beauty and peacefulness of our little community. My husband currently continues working very happily full time on our farm; our succession planning encompasses a plan in which he will reduce his working hours as required/desired, and workload will be transferred more to our children and grandchildren.
We enjoy good health, but at present it is a 3-4 week wait to get an appointment to see our local GP in Dunedoo. The situation, I believe, in Mudgee (our nearest major town) is similar; and with up to 6 doctors leaving soon, it will become even worse. It is common knowledge that the aged care sector is a large facet of healthcare with our state and our country; we live in an ageing population, and this is something my husband and I must consider at our age as we approach our retirement years.
How will all the local amenities and doctors cope with the influx of not the only “800” workmen for the Birriwa Solar Project, but combined with the “1200” workers required to complete the building of the 3 transmission grids in this same area as proposed by EnergyCo. I am aware that you likely see this solar project as an isolated project. To us, it is not. Within a 25 km radius, there is one operational solar farm, two approved solar farms, three solar farms in the planning stage, one wind farm in the planning stage and one wind farm on exhibition. That is not to mention EnergyCo’s proposal for substations, battery energy storage systems and transmission lines as well. This is TOO MUCH for our small community.
Over the years, we have endured droughts, floods, fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rate spikes and mouse plagues amongst many other expected adversities for life on the land. But I fear that the impositions of government policy will have a far more damaging impact on our lifestyle and management decisions than all of the above. I repeat, the solar project and its cumulative impacts has an overwhelming burden on our small community at Dunedoo as stated above, and should not be considered in isolation of itself. I therefore implore that you will consider all the reports and impact assessments that the company (UPC/ACEN) has proposed, many of which as a practising farmer I find to be inaccurate and misleading, and skewered towards a positive outcome for their submission.

Sincerely,
Jen Armstrong.

The proposed project neighbours a family run business which we purchase our Merino Rams. The businesses operations will be significantly impacted from the building of the solar farm during construction phase and post completion. As observed on previous solar farm constructions the project can disrupt water flow during storms in turn increasing the impact of flash flooding for neighbouring properties.
Aside from a selfish point of view in regards to the impact the project will have on our ability to continue to source Merino Rams, the proposed site is on some of the eastern seaboards most productive rural land. I believe there has been a vast underestimation of the economic importance of this region as is generally the case with Ag's impact on Australia's economy. The multiplier impact of this area is significant for the Dunedoo area .
I understand the importance of renewable energy however I strongly oppose it being at the cost of prime agricultural land. I urge you to please explore other areas that may have less agricultural importance.

Uarbry Tongy Lane Alliance Inc. objects to the ACEN Birriwa Solar Project SSD-29508870.

The cumulative effect on the district of Coolah, Dunedoo and Gulgong from multiple wind and solar projects cannot be ignored. Whilst one project may be acceptable in isolation, the fantasy of a Renewable Energy Zone, dreamed up by people who don’t live anywhere nearby and without the agreement of the residents, has caused a pile-on by developers exploiting a few land hosts who are not informed of the full ramifications of the project.

There are families near to this development that will be affected by this solar project, the proponent’s other nearby wind project and Energy Co’s Merotherie Hub plus the associated transmission lines.

The cumulative loss to our farming land and our ability to produce food that feeds the nation, the cumulative impacts to our native vegetation, native animals and birds, and the cumulative loss of amenity by our residents is severe and long-lasting. The current generation are unlikely to see a return to current productive farmland and the native habitats that should be protected.

The cumulative impacts of multiple projects within similar timeframes will decimate our roads with excessive traffic including heavy vehicles and oversize overmass vehicles. The visual amenity we enjoy will be ruined by energy and transmission infrastructure every where we look. The area does not have the amenities that cities or larger centres do, the farmers work hard every day to produce food and fibre and protect their farms and animals from outside risks. Yet the only future we can look forward to is to be surrounded by and affected by an industrial wasteland.

The loss in value of the properties that many families have contributed to for generations will be catastrophic due to these cumulative impacts.

This cannot and will not be tolerated.

ACEN has no social licence in the district, already having upset many residents in the district with their proposed wind project (Valley of the Winds). As a foreign-owned profit making company, they are recognised locally as exploiting the local area, coming in with ill-conceived plans that will negatively impact hundreds of residents. Their community consultation is severely lacking, preferring stealth as a way to declare they have social licence, when in fact the community knows nothing. Community donations will never make it better for the majority.

Their proposed solar plant of a million solar panels will decimate 1330 hectares of currently productive farmland. Two watercourses that traverse the site could potentially carry toxic chemicals from the solar panels to neighbouring farms downstream. The site itself is unlikely to ever recover with decommissioning plans not removing cabling below 600mm – this is hardly rehabilitating the land!

Solar panels are by their very makeup toxic. They currently cannot be recycled economically. If disposed of by burying, they start to leach chemicals into the ground within months. Firefighting is limited near to / in a solar plant with a danger from toxic fumes and high voltages. With recognised damage caused by hail, aerial firefighting and water bombing would not be possible over the solar site. If a fire started on the site, the neighbours would be in a potentially dangerous situation and are left to fight the fire that they should not be responsible for.

The inclusion of a BESS in the proposal adds further toxicity and increases the risk of fires and impinges fire fighting ability with regular retardants not able to handle a lithium chemical reaction fire in a battery pack. Once again toxic fumes are a very real danger to the local residents and in previous battery fires in Australia, have required evacuation.

Our members urge DPE to reject the proposal for a solar plant near Birriwa.


Uarbry Tongy Lane Alliance Inc.

I object to the Birriwa Solar Farm at this site because it is an inappropriate use of agricultural land and is too far from where the power is required. There is no mention of what happens to the solar panels when they reach end of life in about 25 years time and other more environmentally friendly power sources such as nuclear should be considered. It seems to me that if targets are to be met by 2050 there should be no more greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere which will inevitably happen with solar panel construction and recycling.

I object to this Solar Farm project ;
Firstly, there has been lack of, if any consultation re. this area being designated as a REZ.
This land is already utilised as prime agricultural land, which we should not take for granted, and if it ceases to, then there will be a domino affect in the community, by the way of people leaving the district, due to not being needed in certain work places, farm business, farm workers/contractors and schools etc.

The project managers state that they will employ locals, and will feed off the local town businesses and retailers, but this is not a certainty, as mentioned before, there is inconsistent information being delivered from every department concerning this project.

Very importantly, the power created from this solar farm, will not be consumed locally, but far away towards the eastern more metropolitan areas, which is far from being economical. Thereby we, who live in this surrounding area, and not hosts, will have to grin and bare the mayhem and ugliness that comes about from the commencement of, and the duration of the completed project. This is totally unfair.

Apart from the people living in the proximity to this solar farm, there are many travellers and visitors come through on this route , and love what they see, however this will no longer take place, if this project is to go ahead.

There are other factors that detrimental to having this project going ahead, soil erosion, fire hazard, glare, etc.

This project manager has cleverly chosen this area for a solar farm, as there are quite a number of absentee farmers, which makes it a great deal easier to find obliging hosts, as the money compensation is so attractive!

When harvest is done, the next management procedure for some, is to burn off stubble. I fear that these farmers general farm insurance, will definitely increase, which, again seems unfair. As it does if land values fall, if neighbouring this proposed solar farm . Again unfair.

The visual montages given, have been far from honest, taken in a certain way, that softens the visual affect. This is criminal.
Overall, this Solar Farm is of “over the top scale” for this area, and the alternative, being Micro renewables, would be far more appropriate, whereby we can, as small communities, establish and be responsible for our own scale and use of renewable energy.

Therefore, you can see, we are not against renewables, but there is a more thoughtful, considerate way about addressing it, for the benefit of the smaller regional communities.

It is such a shame that these massive sized renewable projects, which in turn do not benefit the people of the surrounding communities, have attracted hosts’ attention, by the means of huge compensation payouts, which appears to override what I feel is more important, that being, appreciating the scenic area we choose to live in , by the majority. Therefore I feel that “going forward with using Renewable Energy, is actually the last priority on the hosts’ minds.
Also, the local towns will not miss out being compensated, if some of these projects do not go ahead. They will simply continue to apply and hopefully be successful, as in the past, receiving government grants.

I object to the Birriwa Solar Farm for the following reasons


1. Fundamentally this is a vital piece of infrastructure that should be in the hands of the government whereby price as a service to the consumer is regulated by domestic consumer affordability not as a project to generate profits for shareholders of a private corporate company or an off shore private company whose interests will not always be aligned with those of the community. It has all the hallmarks of ending up being a replica of what has happened to Australia’s Gas Supply. It’s unethical and has nothing to do with renewable energy for the benefit of climate change.
2. Birriwa Valley is regarded as the best agricultural land in central west NSW and has been productive for decades producing crops and livestock to the market. The Birriwa Solar and Battery Project Visual Assessment has dropped a massive footprint right across the valley thus bringing to an end one of the great farming destinations in NSW
3. This unique area is the home of the Mega Fauna, an exceptional and unique fossil field.
4. The study area buffer zone exists across an historic intersect for three Aboriginal language groups. It is full of Aboriginal Culture and Heritage significance.
5. I live at R25 as identified on the visual assessment map as supplied by EMM (not sure who they are). R25 is a certified biodynamic farm. The 33kva transmission line as illustrated on the visual assessment map runs right across our eastern paddock, which has ACO certification, as does the entire farm. No one can enter Birriwa Homestead property unless they are cleared of any toxins that could extinguish this certification.
6. The farm is also home to an aquifer that produces one of the worlds top mid range TDS mineral waters. In August 2022, this water won a silver medal at the International Fine Waters competition in Los Angles, USA. The water from this aquifer is millions of years old and is within meters of the proposed transmission lines.
7. This is a project that has ignored the natural assets of the region and while I support renewable and solar energy this proposed project is plundering historical landscapes and natural assets and instead offers a dystopian future for its inhabitants. There is no reason or justification given for the choice of the vast tracts of land this project has decided to take ownership over.

Keith Salvat
3894 Castlereagh Highway
Dunedoo 2844
NSW
10/11/2022

I object to the Birriwa Solar farm as it is in very close proximity to my family farm of which I am 6th generation. My family have been living and working this prime agricultural land since the early 1800’s. Losing 1,330ha of this pristine agricultural land to solar panels will be detrimental to the close-knit community I live in. This area produces large amounts of cereal crops, prime lamb and beef all of which will be decreased dramatically if this project goes ahead. These commodities are of great value to both the Australian domestic and international markets. The population of Australia continues to grow and this population will require food to survive. The land value of all surrounding properties will be affected and will decrease substantially.
The proposed solar farm will highly impact the environment with high volumes of water being increased from the runoff of the panels, the small creeks and rivers will not handle these large volumes of water. This will affect the dirt roads that are lucky to be graded once a year, making trucking of livestock, grain and new infrastructure such as building materials, silos etc very difficult to transport in and out of the properties not directly involved with the solar farm, as well as just general traffic driving on the roads will be affected.
I am very concerned about the fuel build up under the solar panels and how this will affect bushfires in the district. There have been 2 major bushfires in this area in the last 50 years, which have wiped out hundreds of thousands of acres, family homes and livestock. I believe if a fire breaks out in the vicinity of the solar farm firefighters are only able to attempt to fight the fires from the perimeter of the farm as the panels are made up of highly toxic materials that are extremely dangerous when they catch fire.
It will no longer be safe for me to ride my pony or pushbike over to my neighbours on my own as there will be large numbers of workers driving on the roads and being in the vicinity will make the quiet roads unsafe for me to be independent.
The visual impact is going to be extreme to my property, as not only is this solar farm being proposed, but also the wind farms and a huge substation is planned affecting my visual aspect. I will no longer have the serenity of the quiet vista of rural outlook from every direction, it will be covered by infrastructure in every direction.

See attached file