Glenellen Solar Farm

I object to the project. My reasons are included in the attachment.

I am strongly opposed to the Glenellen Solar Farm. The location is too close to Jindera, it is a waste of a massive area of prime agricultural / hobby farm land which will also hamstring future residential developments close to Jindera. Projects of this nature should be in remote areas not close to towns where they are an eyesore.

I strongly object to the proposed Glenellen Solar Farm and will outline my reasons below.
My husband and I have four young children and have worked extremely hard to buy our dream block of land and small farm on Nioka Road, Jindera. We have always hoped to be able to raise our children with the beautiful space and freedom that acreage in country NSW offers. Our home has just commenced being built on our farm and we are all so looking forward to living there in a few months time.
Our home site is 43m higher in elevation than the lowest point of the proposed Glenellen Solar Farm. This means we will have significant visual impact and it would seem that we are high enough to also see the proposed Jindera Solar Farm. We are devastated at the thought that the property we have chosen for its spectacular country views, which we have invested so much time and money in over the last few years and now are building on, is going to have the view completely compromised by this project. We also have grave concerns for the heat island effect, especially in relation to the cumulative effect of two developments side by side and what the increase in temperature means from an agronomic point of view. My husband is a passionate and leading agronomist in the area and we are very concerned of the effect on local farmers, and also on our own crops and hay produced on our property.
We are extremely frustrated and angered that as an affected landholder, we have not once been contacted by the department or the proponents in relation to this project. We believe this in itself is reason for taking this objection further and to higher bodies.
It also can not be ignored that the timing of the release of the project is one of the busiest times in the year for agriculture, putting immense pressure on landholders and farmers to find time to even compose a submission. Furthermore, how the NSW Government can not recognise that the proposed area is prime agricultural land and far better used for agriculture, considering it is a food bowl (especially during the last drought) is beyond me. It raises serious concerns and doubts about the people making such decisions when a project like this is proposed, one that will have so many adverse effects on local farmers, families and agriculture.
I implore that you listen to the objections to this project and act accordingly, for the sake of families like mine.

I strongly object to the proposed Glenellen Solar Farm and will outline my reasons below.
My wife and I have four young children and have worked extremely hard to buy our dream block of land and small farm on Nioka Road, Jindera. We have always hoped to be able to raise our children with the beautiful space and freedom that acreage in country NSW offers. Our home has just commenced being built on our farm and we are all so looking forward to living there in a few months time.
Our home site is 43m higher in elevation than the lowest point of the proposed Glenellen Solar Farm. This means we will have significant visual impact and it would seem that we are high enough to also see the proposed Jindera Solar Farm. We are devastated at the thought that the property we have chosen for its spectacular country views, which we have invested so much time and money in over the last few years and now are building on, is going to have the view completely compromised by this project. We also have grave concerns for the heat island effect, especially in relation to the cumulative effect of two developments side by side and what the increase in temperature means from an agronomic point of view. I am a passionate and leading agronomist in the area and we are very concerned of the effect on local farmers, and also on our own crops and hay produced on our property.
We are extremely frustrated and angered that as an affected landholder, we have not once been contacted by the department or the proponents in relation to this project. We believe this in itself is reason for taking this objection further and to higher bodies.
It also can not be ignored that the timing of the release of the project is one of the busiest times in the year for agriculture, putting immense pressure on landholders and farmers to find time to even compose a submission. Furthermore, how the NSW Government can not recognise that the proposed area is prime agricultural land and far better used for agriculture, considering it is a food bowl (especially during the last drought) is beyond me. It raises serious concerns and doubts about the people making such decisions when a project like this is proposed, one that will have so many adverse effects on local farmers, families and agriculture.
I implore that you listen to the objections to this project and act accordingly, for the sake of families like mine.

Submission attached.

I support the Glenellen Solar Farm Project
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.

We live along Glenellen Road which will be used for transporting construction equipment to the solar panel site. This is a rural road with local traffic which will increase considerably under this proposal. It has a 100km speed limit which is dangerous at any time turning into our property. With the increased volume of traffic this will be even more dangerous. Also we moved to Glenellen for the serenity and the views, for our retirement, but with more traffic along this road for this project it will severely disrupt our normal lifestyle eg noise, volume of trucks and avoiding heavy vehicles when we are using the road.

The visual impact of the property. It is noted that our property is not listed as a visual impact however our property from its elevated position to the proposed solar farm means we will see a minimum of 50% of proposed panels and our property has a building right and we were planning on building our dream home there. If the proposed solar farm is approved it will more than likely effect our land value in a negative way and we would no longer choose to build there.
We are very concerned about the lack of information in regard to the heat on effect from such a massive installation to our north west and no information whatsoever in regards to the accumulative of this and the Jindera installation being side by side.
I would like to review the proposal in more detail however harvest commitments do not allow the time or energy.

The construction period will introduce high traffic volume, dust and noise.
That will directly impact damage my ability to manage shift work sleeping patterns and increase road risk on our street.
I will need to spend money on screening plants and watering now, as I have been advised the screening planned will take 10 to 15 years to establish and our rural view is being destroyed.

Please find attached the following objection, supported by myself and my husband, in regard to the proposed Glenellen Solar Farm.

We live on Glenellen Road and our first concern is the increase traffic to our road. This road is used by our community for a variety of reasons, school runs by parents, school buses that stop frequently, locals moving farm machinery and general daily movements. To introduce trucks to this will increase the risk of accidents. Glenellen Road is not in the best condition so any extra traffic will add to the deterioration of our road. It is also narrow with crumbling edges so facing an oncoming truck will add to the risk of accidents.

We have been told the only reason this area is being considered for solar farms is due to the existing substation and high voltage power lines.

With all the conflicting information I have researched it is hard to know what is true. The land is farmland and used for a variety of reasons, all providing food to the community. Will the land suffer long term damage? Will the area around the farm suffer from increased tempertures? How does this affect land values in the area?
We will lose native vegetation and homes for native animals.
The buffers they say they will plant around the farm will take years to be of any value.
Our weather is varied with consistent fog over winter lasting till after lunch many days rendering a solar farm useless.
The proposed farm is also within a populated area ranging from lifestyle blocks, hobby farms to long term residents, wouldn't it be better suited away from this and is an area where the climate suits it better.
We are hoping you will address our concerns.
thank you
Scott and Lindy Wishart

I support renewable energy but I personally feel this is not the area for it. We are surrounded by prime farming and cropping country delivering high quality grain/cattle/lamb to support the Australian Agricultural sector. The long standing farming families that have been handed down from generation to generation will be impacted. We must also remember that the native animals and the hundred year old trees that will be destroyed. The roads are not built to handle the increase of traffic especially the trucks, this could potentially lead to an accident. The Glenellen area offers families to build their homes after solar nobody will want to purchase land to build their dream home beside a solar farm.
It would be a shame to see the lovely area of Glenellen surrounded by solar plants destroying what this land and community has to offer.
Thankyou for taking the time to read my submission.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Development Application including the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in regard to the Glenellen Solar Farm (SSD9550). My objections to the establishment of the proposed solar farm are as follows: Firstly: Visual Impact and Amenity - I am not against renewable energy. It is the visual impact I object to. I have lived at this address for 27 years and the reasons for purchasing our property (my husband and mine) was that we grew up on farms in the general area (ie. Burrumbuttock and Walbundrie) on prime agricultural land. We wanted to raise our children in the country. Even though our property is small, we are still able to make hay, grow pasture to feed our cattle and sheep that we breed, on prime agricultural land. The lifestyle of our property enables us to look out over paddocks with livestock grazing, crops growing in the distance, and be able to take our dog for walks along quiet country dirt roads (ie. Klinberg Rd or Ortlipp Rd). It would not be as visually pleasing to see paddocks full of solar panels. A sea of blue is not a colour you associate with seeing at eye level in a paddock. One such project will be visible from our front gate and from our back paddock.
Secondly: Devaluation of Property Values - This is of major concern to myself and my family, as these projects would have a significant effect on decreased property values in a highly sought after area. Generally, this area has very reliable rainfall and soils, which have traditionally held strong property market values.
Thirdly: Prime Agricultural Production Area - To have prime agricultural land under solar panels is wrong. We have prime sheep and cattle, high value oil seed and cereal crops, certified seed production, hay and silage fodder in our area, which is exported throughout Australia to assist the dairy industry and stock production in times of drought, flood and bushfires.
Fourthly: Location - These solar projects are in close proximity to the township of Jindera, and there are many lifestyle properties that will be affected by their establishment. In my case, with four different project proposals, our family farm stands to be surrounded by panels, and they will be visible as I drive out my front gate to the nearest town or when I am checking stock in my back paddock. Several of my neighbours will also have these issues. Roads are not viable for more construction traffic as well, particularly Ortlipp Road being dirt.
Fifthly: Companies - If these companies (all foreign owned) who are marketing and installing these projects become insolvent, there is the question of who is responsible for the removal of the solar panels. My understanding is that the landholders is responsible. This could take years to remove and along with where and how they can be disposed of, this has not been thought through.
Sixthly: Established Tree Removal - Established trees that provide shade for stock will be removed and replaced with new trees that will take years to establish to once again provide such shade. Established trees also maintain soil salinity and this will be impacted.

It appears the area chosen for solar projects are primarily for easy access to the electricity substations, rather than in more suitable areas with minimal impact.

In closing, I hope all my concerns along with many others will go towards the decision to not approve the application.

objection letter attached

I think that as long as all impacts on neighbours and surrounding areas are taken into consideration and found to be low or no impact I can’t see why this project could not go ahead.

I object for the following reasons:-
Prime farming land being used, put solar farms where there is arid land. No farms, no food, greater cost to everyone. Australia needs to feed itself first.
Devaluation of the land, there is no proof the land will come back from this.
Devaluation of properties in this area. People have worked hard to make their homes here and should not have to worry about not being able to sell for a good price due to a solar farm.
Loss of flora and fauna habitat.
Loss of cultural heritage sites.
Bush fire risk, there does not seem to be a plan on how to fight a fire in a solar farm, do the surrounding properties just get sacrificed for the solar farm.
Restrict the future growth of Jindera as no-one wants to live next to a solar farm.
This is dividing the district and making things very uncomfortable for everyone.
The mental health of the residents here is at risk, you might have a property worth a lot of money to sell and retire off the money, then your property value will be drastically reduced and you have to worry where you will find the money to retire.
There will be more dust, noise and glare in this lovely quiet area.
The roads out here are not great and all the traffic will simply make the situation even worse. I live on Glenellen Road and I know the poor state of the roads here, the increase in traffic will further destroy the roads and add increased noise to our idyllic area.
No benefit to any of the people living out here except those whose property it is going on and the developer.

I object for the following reasons:-
Good farming land being used, put solar farms on land not suited to farming. No farms, no food, greater cost to everyone.
Devaluation of the land, no proof the land will recover from this in 30 years.
Devaluation of properties in this area. The other home and land owners out here shouldn't have to worry about not being able to sell their properties for a good price later just because one or two people want to put in a solar farm.
What about the effect on the environment, the solar farm will make things hotter, that is no good to anyone, what effect will that have on those living closest.
What if the company goes broke, that stuff will be there forever.
I cannot see how this solar farm is going to be of any benefit to me, the neighborhood or the environment.
If you keep putting good farming land under solar panels there will be no farm land left and we will not be able to feed the people in our country.
We need our farm land for Australians to be sustained and not have to import all our food.
Bush fire risk, this seems to get brushed under the carpet, the attitude that it will not be a problem is a problem.
Restrict the future growth of Jindera, it will be restricted as no-one wants to live next to a solar farm.
This is dividing the district and making things very uncomfortable for everyone.
The mental health of the residents here is at risk. The strain on people so far has been huge. One day people may want to sell their property and retire, as these days it is preferable according to the government that we are self funded, the property prices will plummet with a solar farm next door, think of the mental anguish the older people in this area will go through as they face the worry that they will not have enough money to live out their life.
I don't like their oh that won't happen it will be fine.
There will be more dust, noise and glare in this lovely quiet area.
The roads out here are not great and all the traffic will simply make the roads even worse.
No benefit to any of the people living out here except those whose property it is going on and the developer.
Loss of flora and fauna habitat.
Loss of cultural heritage sites.
I am all for solar panels but NOT on prime farming land. Go out to unviable farming land and make a huge project there if you are serious about improving the environment as this is not the answer it is purely filling a couple of peoples pockets and destroying our food bowl.

See attached

As one of the seven identified residences with potential views of the Proposed Glenellen Solar Development, located within 2 km I am writing to OPPOSE this development.
Although I am supportive of clean green energy, I feel this development has identified a landscape that is capable of so much more, and that a better geographical location should have been sort.
I realise that it is within close proximity of the high voltage power lines and the substation, and for that reason it might seem the best place. But I would argue that our land is too productive agriculturally and receives a reliable rainfall. Properties in this area are sort after for agricultural productivity, with prices reaching $9000/acre for 1000acre holdings in the district.
I feel that instead of offering an exorbitant price to lease the land for 30 years, money could be better spent purchasing the land (or leasing if that fits the companies profile) in areas that:
• Experience drought conditions more frequently than 3-in-10 years. Some rural communities have been coming off the back of three or more years of drought, with that time again needed for businesses to recover off the back of a drought, these large scale properties would benefit from an income, in an unproductive area that they designate, with potentially having no “receptors” in a 5km buffer from the site. I feel that a development footprint implicating 277 identified receptors within 5 km, is too many; and that there are better alternatives.

During these recent times of hardship and drought across Australia, this Murray region in Greater Hume shire was one of the only pockets of NSW that had been able to produce crops and fodder surplus to our needs, and able to offer relief to other agricultural enterprises. I believe that has a lot to say about the importance and productivity of this land.
One only needs to look into the stocking rates that the proposed property has been running, to comparably see how productive the proposed site is.

Other reasons why I believe this project should be undertaken on a different site, is the thick fog that settles in Glenellen through our winters, the exact reason why the Albury airport, which was proposed to be on the adjoining property to the proposed site, did not go ahead.
I do not know whether dense fog affects the energy production of these solar panels, but what does concern me is the public safety aspect of the increased traffic and heavy vehicles traversing the proposed route, especially Glenellen Road. I am concerned for the school children and parents that board and un-board children onto the numerous buses that use this route, in fine weather let alone fog. I am concerned for the vast groups and solo cyclist that enjoy taking the Glenellen scenic route. And I am concerned that the road was not formed to withstand this vehicle pressure, volume or weight. The road is narrow, tree lined and visibility often poor, I’m also not looking forward to any inconvenience this amount of traffic, “anticipated that up to a maximum peak of 153 vehicle movements will be made per day to access the GSF Site” will have to locals.
I am worried that in its current proposed location the increased water shed, and reduced ground cover (caused by diminished pasture, formed tracks, earthworks and tree clearing at the site), decreased water infiltration and increased run-off will further exacerbate any water-logging, salinity issues or erosion to the landscape.
I am further disappointed about the location of the project because of a personal bias, being an adjoining neighbour and farming the land around, we are also owners and part owners in 5 of the residence in the 2km proximity. These panels, raised to 5m, I believe will be clearly visible not only from a great portion of our property, but also our residence which sits at an elevated position. Not only am I concerned about the visual aspect, I am also worried about the solar project declining our land and property value.
The visual defacing of the landscape makes me quite emotional, I hold dear and embrace the idea of the great Australia landscape and the feelings it evokes. Our property, settled by my partners forefathers 4 generations ago, was chosen because of its beauty and productive soils. It has been nurtured to nourish people for generations, and the Moll family are extremely passionate about the land, being on the land, the freedoms, the lifestyle it offers, and the values that are accustomed to it, as well as the opportunities it presents for us and our children. The proposed Glenellen Solar farm impacts on that, and as such I am not supportive of this project.
The Moll family have a long-standing reputation in the farming society as being innovative, early adopters, successful and productive, I have seen my partners blood, sweat and tears go into this property and this community for that matter. As farmers and custodians of the land this proposal will impact on us environmentally, socially and economically. The triple bottom line is that I say ‘NO’ to this development.

The Glenellen Solar Farm proposal is located in the north-east Riverina of NSW, very close to the township of Jindera. The proposal is located in a regional setting. The surrounding land use is generally agriculture, including cropping and grazing. This area has been a highly productive and secure agricultural resource since it’s settlement in the 1860’s. In Greater Hume Shire Council we have enjoyed both productive cropping and grazing. Surely it is foolhardy to use these productive areas for power generation when they are so much better suited to food generation.

Whilst I support the development of alternative energy sources, of which solar would seem an extremely viable option there are vast areas of land of minimal agricultural value that could, and should, be used for this purpose. There are so many areas that are far more suitable than one of the most productive and sustainable food producing regions in the state. It seems to me we need to take a step back and carefully consider the long-term implications and results of this proposal.

Marginal agricultural land with less reliable rainfall would seem to be a much more sensible placement of solar farms.

Established trees are to be removed from the site, the trees provide nesting sites and corridors for birds, squirrel gliders and other wildlife. Where is this wildlife to go? Dams are to be filled in, surely this will increase water runoff leading to erosion and flooding.

I am concerned heat island effect will adversely impact and cause heat transmission, as I understand the EIS they have relied on international studies and there are no cited Australian studies on the heat island effect. It may not be relevant to transfer these results to localised conditions. Once the project is established it will be too late. How will high quality pasture be grown under the arrays (as proposed by the host) top soil will be removed during construction and the longer-term issues of pasture viability and improvement, weed control, adequate moisture delivery and retention for pasture growth, and increased heat need to be addressed.

It seems that convenient and cost effective access to transmission lines and the existing sub station is the driver for the foreign companies proposing solar farms in Greater Hume Shire. Obviously, profitability is the major factor for these companies, but surely the well being of the land and nearby residents must be strongly considered.
This solar farm is located close to my home (within two kilometres) and I’m very sceptical of promises made by the solar companies when looking at pictures of the Bomen Solar Farm, which has no vegetation screening planted, weed problems and substantial glare issues.

Once the solar farm is built it’s too late to correct the mistake. I would urge a more considered and carefully planned process to provide for our state’s energy needs. It seems to be a rush to fill a void, profiting few, rather than a considered, careful approach.

I’m heartbroken to contemplate the devastation of the area I chose to make my home. I will be impacted financially by the solar farms (my property value will decline) and this will have significant flow-on effects for the future. Why do I have to suffer for others financial gain? I will be strongly impacted by dust, noise and disruption to my lifestyle during the construction phase particularly and the solar arrays going forward.

In conclusion, I am strongly opposed to the proposed Glenellen Solar Farm development.