Glenellen Solar Farm

I support this project, I believe that for long term agriculture productivity within Australia we need to address climate change sustainably and all the solar projects put together within the Greater Hume Shire covers in total less that 1/% of the shires agriculture land.

I believe that we need to transition to renewable energy to secure everyones future. The development is permissable in the RU1 zone and the landholders involved in the project are free to do what they wish with their own land. The premis that the land will be lost to agriculture is rubbish as there will still be sheep grazing carried out on the site. Loss of agricultural land for eternity happens when councils allow small lot subdivisions to occur and therefore a major loss to production. Solar farms have negligible impact on agricultural production.

This project will create much needed employment after covid

EPA Response uploaded 9/11/20 - see attached

My address as documented is; 99 Lindner Rd, my back fence will be apart of the boundary for this proposed solar farm.
The direct view from my kitchen will be of this project. Some may say it could be worse... but for me I can't imagine anyone would support such a loss of such breath taking country side. As well document, this area is PRIME agricultural land, how anyone could justify turning such valuable land into a solar farm clearly doesn't know what peace and productivity the country side of this quality can offer. My main concerns are;

1. Proposed Transport route – Urana road, Jindera- Walla Walla road - this then lead to Lindner Rd - that I travel daily, my children ride their bikes to meet the school bus daily - how can any safety be guaranteed for them accessing this road for school and minimal disruption to our travels, when such a significant increase of traffic is proposed along this road. I live here and I will choose my route to access the main roads and that road is the quickest and most direct route, I will not be forced to travel other ways around to my house. I pay my rates to access this road also. The Corner of Ortlipp Rd and Lindner Rd are mere meters from my house (and my neighbours who is unable to have a voice, due to personal reasons), that this increase of 200 plus vehicle a day will be a constant disruption with noise, dust, road delays etc. We live here not the developers and I ask them how would they feel about owning a piece of serene country side, a place for their children to grown up on, to be country kids and get away from town life, when this would be in our back yard.

Clearing of fully establish gum trees/ other native vegetation – how, I can't get my head around clearing such incredible and historical vegetation (I have attached a photo of the view from my kitchen window - every tree you see from my back fence to the table top mountain in the horizon will be CLEARED)...... in 30yrs time how do they suggest a "decommission strategy that will ensure the land is returned to its predevelopment state"? This again would be a loss to the community and the majesty of the area.

I may only be one voice, but I have to express my opinion. I had developers stand in my kitchen and tell me that the environmental reports state that there would be no visual impact from my property... He stood there and could not find the words to reassure me, that this was fact, when he could see with his own eyes the direct impact this will have on my view, not to mention the financial loss on the value of my property! So basically I will be stuck with a property that will loose retail value and an inability to sell, as who would want to live with that in the back yard. How am I compensated for this if the project goes ahead?

I again may only be one person / one voice, but I have travels across vast areas of this country that people (especially CEO's of companies in Sydney) couldn't even imagine the remoteness and desert like country side that would be more suitable for this project. I ask regardless of the power station in close proximity, why would they not consider these proposed project in areas that can't benefit from grazing live stock, to utilise the hash climates and longer day light hours and sun exposer to maximise capabilities for solar farming. I have lived here only briefly and in this time is have experienced high level of rainfall, overcast days, morning of thick fog that doesn't clear till mid morning, it just doesn't seem like the ideal place to generate and maximise the potential of a solar farm, and I propose that there are other areas that would be more fitting for such projects.

I have particular interest in this project both for the renewable energy it will provide in order for it to help its renewable targets. I am also interested due to the employment that it will create in view of the way everything is at the minute. I also know the actual land holders where the construction will take place. They are good people and well respected around the area. This is a good project not only for them but the entire community. Although some community members may not realize that fact.

Shouldn’t be built here because it’s like a suburban to Albury-Wodonga.
It’s also good farming country.
Please build solar farms in desert country areas.
I’m a resident along the road and wouldn’t like to have the dust, dirt and noise from building this project.

Please find attached WaterNSW's response.

BCD advice attached

I Support the Glenellen AgriSolar Farm development as it will provide sustainable clean energy from the sun whilst also providing crops and feed underneath the panels for sheep grazing.

I support this project because it gives me, my family, my neighbors and the rest of the planet a little extra breathing space to continue towards the transition to net zero carbon emissions. To try and reign in the carbon being pumped into the earths atmosphere from fossil fuels, ie: oil, coal, gas for the end use of transport and electricity generation. The effluent coming from the burning of fossil fuels, creates the explosive new weather conditions, which has changed the way we live. Through greater variability in rainfall events, powerful wind storms and ever increasing drought and then fire. These emissions will continue to grow until someone, maybe a lot of us see the value in renewable energy to help reduce green house gases, blanketing our atmosphere and degrading our lives. These costs are already being passed onto all of us by raised prices through the goods and services due to increased duration and frequency of weather events affecting food, transport logistics, mining, insurance. What stage water restrictions are we going to get to in the Jindera area this year? To keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome is nonproductive. This solar farm gives all of us an opportunity to put our region on the map with solar technology adding to the tide of change towards transition to net zero emissions.

I strongly object to the project as neighbouring residential land owners. This is prime agricultural land ! The value of our property will be dramatically reduced due to the scale of the project and the unsightly impact it will have on this beautiful part of country ! I believe in renewable energy but I’m dead against it being here! I realise the reason behind it being close to the lines and sub station but build it 50km west of here in less productive land an where it would have less impact on the environment ( less trees to be removed, less impact on habitat) plus very few people effected.

Loss of prime agricultural land and prime production.
To close to the township of Jindera

I object to the development of the Glenellen Solar Farm upon prime agricultural land. The land to be used is currently and has historically been used successfully for the grazing of sheep and cattle and is also successful cropping land. I also hold grave concern for the future regeneration of this land when the current technology inevitably becomes superseded. The infrastructure will be left behind when the company changes hands and/or moves onto the next project - who will have responsibility for regenerating this land? Further to this, I have concern for the impact on local residents, as the land abuts rural residential zoning and the development of housing in the last 3 yrs has been significant. Residents of these areas will be significantly impacted by the increased traffic and construction in their vicinity as the “farm” is developed. These estates are family zones which hold great potential for the future development of small townships such as Jindera and should be promoted and protected as part of Greater Hume Shire’s future planning not jeopardised in the pursuit of short term gain.

I wish to submit my strongest objection to the proposed Glenellen Solar Farm development. My name in Amanda Walters and I grew up and spent my childhood at the property of ‘Drumwood’ located at 234 Drumwood Road, directly opposite the proposed development site. My parents still own and reside at the property.
I find the concept of a 332 hectare solar farm in this location abhorrent given its location within close proximity to a large number of residential lots and within 3.5 kilometers from the village of Jindera, which is a community that has experienced significant growth over recent years.
The impact on surrounding land owners and residents will be significant across many aspects given the magnitude of the development and I find this an unacceptable intrusion into the lives of the residents that have invested in their properties in good faith to enjoy a rural lifestyle.
My most significant concerns, which form the foundation of my objection include:
• The use of a significant parcel of prime agricultural land for the construction of the solar farm.
• The visual impact of the solar farm with the height of the panels being proposed at 5 meters.
• The transformation of a charming rural landscape to one that emulates an industrial estate and the impact this will have on surrounding residents.
• The location within a semi rural community with 84 residents being directly impacted.
• The radiant heat effects and transmission of heat out of the solar farm into neighbouring properties, many of which are located within a few hundred meters of the solar farm.
• The impact on future development through this growth corridor as a result of the adverse visual impact of the large scale development.
• Lack of any suitable access road infrastructure to allow for the immense increase in heavy vehicle movements, expected to peak at over 200 movements per day.
• The loss of natural vegetation and mature trees as a result of the construction. This is currently detailed at the removal of 11.4 hectares of native vegetation and the removal of 81 trees.
Whilst I acknowledge the importance of ensuring our country has a sustainable approach to the provision of energy into the future, this cannot come at the cost of sacrificing large parcels of productive land and directly impacting residents within close proximity.
The guidance in relation to site selection for developments of this nature is very clear in stating that agriculture is an identified site constraint. Given a large percentage of the proposed site is classified as Class 3 high capability land this must be given due consideration. I further note that the Greater Hume Shire Council Director of Environment & Planning did not support the project following analysis of the Environmental Impact Statement due to broad ranging concerns across multiple areas.
I hold grave fears for the impact this will have on the surrounding residents should this development be allowed to proceed and request that significant and genuine consideration be applied to assessing these impacts and in particular recognising that the proposed location is inappropriate for a development of this nature. I wish to reiterate in the most unequivocal terms my objection to the construction of the Glenennen Solar Farm in the proposed location.

My name is Susan Palmer my family property is located on Drumwood Road, Jindera which is approximately 150 metres from the Glenellen solar farm proposal.
Our home, Drumwood, was the original homestead in the Jindera area and appears on Schedule 5, Environmental heritage of the Greater Hume Local Environmental Plan of 2012. Our farm cottage, which is occupied, is only some 50 metres from the proposal. Our land is used for sheep farming as well as the growing crops. The success of my family property, including maintaining its property values, directly impacts the livelihood and wellbeing of my family.

I am objecting to the Glenellen solar farm proposal and would like to raise the following concerns that I believe will adversely affect the success and value of my own land, and that of 83 other landowners, should the project go ahead.

Air quality: The choice to live in this rural area and enjoy the fresh country air was a factor in my family’s choice to live here. We already endure dust and debris which comes from gravel/ dirt roads in the area associated with current traffic. The proposal clearly recognises that traffic number will increase significantly. How would the impact on air quality be mitigated during construction? '

Roads and traffic: I have already outlined concerns about the heavy vehicles, there are minimal suggestions to upgrades to nearby roads, given the acknowledgement that the Jindera community is primarily made up of young families sure consideration needs to be made to reducing speed limits to access roads and when heavy vehicles are within the township. The proposal suggests 18 months of heavy and oversized vehicles driving to and from the proposal site and compacted unsealed gravel roads on the site. The speed limit is currently 100km/h outside of the township and often the road is dangerous for residents exiting and entering their driveways, for stock crossing and for the school bus picking up and dropping off children.

Heat Island Effect: Our family are most concerned about the very real prospect of the heat island effect. Last summer we had temperatures in excess of 45 degrees, should this increase any further it would surely render our property unviable.

Screening: We are most concerned about the visual industrial appearance of the proposal. As the panels will stand at 5 metres it will be impossible to minimize the glare and hideous appearance which we will have to encounter on a daily basis. The planting of tube stock will not mitigate this.

Social Effect: Currently local residents enjoy the quiet enjoyment of this area and find it a peaceful retreat with breath taking views of the Table Top Mountain. We see many people of all ages walking, riding their bikes or horses and exercising their dogs along Drumwood Road. This project will change the fabric of the whole area and change its natural beauty into an ugly industrial hub.
Therefore I object most vehemently to the Glenellen Solar farm for the future of Jindera and its residents.

My name is David Palmer, our family own and reside at the historic property of Drumwood at 234 Drumwood Road Jindera. I am writing to express my explicit objection to the proposed Glenellen Solar Farm, which is planned to be constructed within meters of our property. Our heritage listed homestead is located approximately 150 meters from the solar farm site, with our farm cottage entrance located directly opposite the development.
I recognise the importance of the future sustainability of energy provision, however believe this needs to be effectively balanced with suitable site selection to ensure both maximum value from a solar generation perspective together with avoiding the use and degradation of prime agricultural land. This is supported by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environments Large Solar Energy Guidelines which specifically detail agriculture as an identified site constraint. I am particularly concerned that the site selection has solely been based on accessibility to existing electrical infrastructure rather than the genuine suitability of the location.
My key points of objection in relation to the proposed development are as follows:
• The proposed development will directly impact 84 residents and is located within 3.5 kilometres of the Jindera Township.
• The site is prime agricultural land that is currently used for primary industry production.
• The development would have a significant impact on the amenity of the area with the current rural landscape and character of the land being effectively transformed into having an industrial appearance. The solar panels are proposed to be erected at a height of 5 meters with the perimeter fence limited to 2.5 meters, which would have far reaching impacts from a visual perspective.
• The proposed development is located in a growth corridor for Jindera with a 30 plus lot residential housing development having recently been completed within 1 kilometre from the site. Any future development would be directly affected due to the poor visual effects of the solar development.
• The proposed site is located within both a rural and semi rural area with a large number of residential lots within close proximity, making the location completely incompatible with this form of industrial development.
• The impact of future radiant heat, glare and dust nuisance given the close proximity to our home and many other residences, including the township of Jindera.
• Impacts in biodiversity and the effective management of the land including removal of 11.4 hectares of native vegetation and 81 paddock trees, future weed control, pest management, and bushfire mitigation limitations.
• Lack of suitable accessibility corridors for the large increase in heavy vehicle traffic of up to 200 movements per day both through the construction and ongoing operational phases of the development. The Greater Hume Shire Council have already identified that the existing road infrastructure is not suitable for this level of traffic and would pose significant safety issues for local residents.
• The lack of willingness on behalf of the developer to address our concerns or enter into any form of reasonable negotiation.
Our family have been long time residents of the area and have invested much of our lives in maintaining our land and ensuring the historical aspects of our property have been preserved for future generations. We are greatly concerned that our physical, mental and financial wellbeing and that of our neighbours will be put at significant risk should this development proceed. I therefore wish to reiterate in the strongest possible terms my objection to the development of the Glenellen Solar Farm.

see attached

I support the Glenellen Solar Farm Project
Solar farms produce safe and locally produced energy. That come with many benefits, I have listed just a few below.

1) The land where solar farms are constructed can provide a better habitat for animals and plants. More times than not, the area around a solar farm is grass, and it is safe for the local wildlife to graze between the rows of panels.

2) Solar panels have no moving parts, noise is not an issue at solar farms.

3) They reduce carbon emissions. Solar farms create clean energy that doesn’t harm the environment.
Installing solar systems creates solar energy that is clean, renewable, and good for the environment.

4) Scientists predict that solar power will soon contribute to almost a quarter of the world’s energy.

I support this project. This is a growth corridor. Australia needs to move away from coal power. We don't deny people getting solar on their houses regardless of how it looks or heritage. Sheep can still graze. Its excellent multi purpose. Keeps power costs down. This is an important step forward for Australian and a sustainable future.