Culcairn Solar Farm

I object to the proposed solar development at Culcairn based on the following.
Site selection - I believe alternative placement of solar panels should be explored, considering these developments are to feed mainly large cities why can't industrial areas filled with factories with flat roofs be covered in panels?
Agriculture - Considering the majority of NSW is in intense drought or drought affected it does not make sense to cover productive cropping land in panels, especially when the farms around Culcairn have provided much needed feed to the rest of the state.
Environment - the long term impact on the local flora and fauna is largely unconsidered. When the solar panels are decommissioned what guarantees are there that the panels will be disposed of properly? Will the town of Culcairn be left with an environmental hazard?
Fire Hazard - The logistics of undermanned and ill-equipped rural fire service members combating a bush fire inside and around the development poses risks to members and those protecting nearby properties.
Visual impact - 1,100,000 solar panels and associated infrastructure will be visually confronting, imagine having that view 120m from your back door?
The notion that the development will bring economical growth to the greater hume shire will be short lived. I believe many residents do not understand the implications of this development and have been lead to believe that the power produced from this development will make the power prices cheaper for Culcairn residents .

It should not happen for such a big solar farm using such big area of cultivated and productive agricultural land. The area it is going to occupy is just way too vast. The benefits and labor opportunities are exaggerated by the proponent. It is very close to some home owners which bring uncertainty impact, and the solar farm is an eyesore to the community.

I object to the Culcairn solar farm proposal as I believe it is of state and national interest to protect prime agricultural land. Southern NSW is a relative safe and reliable agricultural area. This small area of southern NSW was virtually the only part of the state which produced grain and especially hay in 2019. This hay was sent throughout the drought stricken areas of NSW and then also supported the areas affected for the bush fires. The property being suggested as the site for the proposed solar development has proven to be highly productive especially last year when thousands of bales of hay were harvested from it .
The Australian Energy Market Operator announced recently that some solar projects may have to wait up to 7 years to generate income from solar due to weaknesses in the national grid . Surely it would seem obvious to slow down the rapid number of developments being proposed until the logistics of connection viability is sorted out. It would especially be counterproductive to tie up valuable agricultural land with solar and still not be able to feed power into the grid for up to several years.
I'm also very concerned about weed management on the site specially the infestation of silver leaf nightshade which is already a problem on the proposed site. Fire risk associated with a build up of hairy panic in the summer also posses a risk to surrounding properties and district.
I do not believe there has been enough studies done the heat island effect in Australian conditions especially on such a massive scale and the effect it will have on adjoining properties.

I support this project.

I support the project

I support the project

Please find attached my objection to the Culcairn Solar Farm

Allow this important project to GO AHEAD!

Having lived in the walla culcairn area for 24 years I am deeply disturbed that this solar farm is going to be taking up highly regarded agricultural farm land which is well known to produce a high standard of cattle, sheep and cropping.
This project has divided the community and the impacts are far greater than any short term benefits.

I strongly object to the proposed Culcairn Solar Farm. I don't understand why there is a need to destroy prime agricultural land for this development. This land has long been productive, and in many cases multi generational. There are plenty of other areas where nothing thrives and the sun shines that would benefit more so than our local area. The list of reasons to oppose this solar farm are endless, health ramifications are unknown, the division of our community, fire risks etc There is no long term benefit for our area, but i do see plenty of shortfalls coming should this go ahead

I have lived in the Greater Hume area for over 20 years and as a farmer I cannot believe that anyone would want to put solar panels in such a productive area.
There is no way that productivity will be anywhere near similar by grazing sheep under panels and I do not believe that this will be succussful.
This land is stong cropping land and provides a source of feed, hay and grain at a time when our country is in severe drought and suffering from recent fires.
I would like to know what the consequences could be if there was a fire on the proposed development site as intense as what we have had recently and do not believe that Rural Fire Service personnel should be put at risk again.
The impact on surrounding landowners and nearby towns is too great for this location and solar farms should be placed on arid land of which there is plenty in Australia.

* Good agricultural land that is being used
* I live nearby
* Im worried about increased chance of fire/heat in the area
* I dont believe the classification is correct.
* I think an independent assessment needs to be done
* It is going to greatly devalue farms and homes around the site
* And its going to be bloody UGLY!!!

I object this solar farm due to:

As coming off a farm myself, and knowing just how important and valuable the rural land in this region they propose to build this large solar system is, it is not just very good grazing country, it is also some of the best cropping land in Australia.
I am very certain these schemes could find land in areas within Australia that are not in such a big rainfall area and on areas that are not so productive, I personally think it will make the area they propose to install this solar farm look a bit of an eye sore to say the least.
After finding out about this I have actually did a lot of research on my own behalf to find out what affects it willl have on neighbouring properties, and have found out it will a rise in temperature, it is a high possibility there will be a high pitched ringing sound from the inverters which will affect stock close to the area. So I certainly object this solar project.

I strongly believe we need to increase our solar/renewable energy capacity and make the change from unsustainable energy sources to renewable sources through projects such as this.
The benefits of this solar farm would be immense and I stand behind it with every fiber of my being.

It is viable farming land. I am worried about the heat and the increased chance of fires in the area. The noise will have a great impact upon the health and performance of our horses. This is due to living near by. Hay is already incredibly hard to get, this project is taking the hay away causing a lack of supply, rise in cost and being unable to feed our stock/ animals.

Coal is a finite resource, Australia needs to replace this energy demand with renewable sources. With much of Culcairn being 'flat country', it is perfect for solar.

Sustainable living through renewable energy is something I’m passionate about as a citizen and someone who is concerned about God’s creation. I’m extremely grateful for the studies carried out which show that the solar farm will not only coexist with existing farming practices, but actually enhance them.

The flat land already most cleared of trees along with the already located high voltage power lines, make this site an excellent location for a solar farm. The NSW State Government needs to continue working on investing in renewable energy, such as solar farms.

I would like to object to the Culcairn Solar Plant, there are a number of reasons for the objection from myself and my family. Being fairly close to this project the residual heat that would be coming of these panels would be my first complaint, its hot enough in the summer time and to have these panels cause the air temperature to rise approximately 3-4 degrees to surrounding areas is not needed. Ruining good farming land, this land that's going to be covered by these panels is A1 cropping land and all that's going to be lost with all but weeds growing underneath these panels and I doubt any grazing will be possible. land erosion, all the water from rain and dew is going to cause strips of land erosion where the water runs off these panels. Inverters, these massive inverters I have heard are the size of shipping containers that are going to give off a high pitched noise which will impact all the surrounding homes and animals e.g. horses and dogs. Wild life, the amount of wild life that will be impacted will be unimaginable. Fire, the risk of fire will have to rise with the heat from the panels.
All in all build these solar plants elsewhere on land that cant be used for grazing or cropping, I am not against renewable energy I am just against where its to be panned to be built.

I fully support this submission. Australia needs to look toward sustainable practised and industries - particularly in energy supply. this project provides this and helps strengthen our renewable engird profile. I fully support this project.