Gundary Solar Farm

I live in Western Australia.
I visit the Gundary Plains on a regular basis. The view of the Plains from where we stay is magnificent . It will not be magnificent if it covered in 660,000 solar panels, a huge sub-station and inverters.
It will completely ruin the pleasure that visitors to the area currently get from it. It definitely will not encourage visitors to stay in accommodation in the area.
Derrick Wasley
Nanekine

My objections as a resident of Goulburn to the proposed Gundary Solar project are as follows -

Location -
- This project will destroy the scenic quality and landscape character of Gundary Plains and destroy the very fabric of the Gundary community
- The project is within the Goulburn Regional zone and within the Goulburn City limits
- This land would be better suited to Hobby/Lifestyle property blocks
- Land such as this proposed project close to Goulburn will be urgenty required for future population residential growth within the city limits

The Site :
- The site is 7 square kilometres in the middle of over 60 homes.
- Most of the site is subject land under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 – see Regional Cities Map – Goulburn
- Goulburn is known for its wind but not for its daily solar exposure. This is confirmed by BOM data which shows Goulburn has 88.4 mean clear days/year (according to 35 years of BOM data).
- The site is immediately west of Bushfire Prone Land Vegetation Category 1 (High Risk).Fires are a risk on solar factories – panels, transformers, batteries, substation.The common prevailing bushfire winds are W & NW on the Gundary Plains where BP proposes to build this solar factory.

Fire Risk -
- A significant fire risk for neighbours particularly the eastern and southern sides of the proposed solar factory on Kooringaroo Road from panels, batteries and substation fires.
- There is hampered fire fighting capability on solar energy generation sites to fight any fires that start or burns onto these sites.
- Many residents of Kooringaroo Road, on the eastern side of the site, live on a no through road and have no mobile phone coverage and therefore unlikely to be able to escape.

Mental Health -
- There has been and continues to be extreme mental health issues being experienced by many badly affected landowners.
- BP classify this mental health as “stress and anxiety” and therefore has no desire to accept what its proposal is doing to peoples’ lives and livelihoods.

Property Devaluation :
- BP and its operatives continually deny that neighbouring properties would be devalued.
- A number of properties have been withdrawn from market
- One family could not stand anymore and sold – they suffered a 36% devaluation of their property.
- BP has refused to discuss compensation.
- Neighbours and near neighbours’ properties will be devalued.
- Property values of surrounding properties will be drastically reduced. A reduced property value may impact on some owners’ mortgages while others will see their “superannuation” tied up in their property reduced significantly. The net effect is the taking of capital off small people (current landholders) and transferring the benefits to city bankers and multi-national corporations.

Electromagnetic Radiation :
- A very large electricity facility - 740,000 solar panels, 154 inverters, 154 batteries, 30/330KV substation
- Exposure to electromagnetic radiation is unknown
- Impact on tractor GPS guidance and Drone guidance is unknown

Destroys The Natural Environment :
- to save the planet as most of the existing trees will be destroyed including 2000 planted by Greening Australia, the Australian River Restoration Centre and a previous landowner. This will remove 1700 acres of grassland over which the Gundary Wedge Tail Eagles hunt. If the Tirranniville solar factory is approved the Eagles will loose over 3000 acres of grassland hunting area in total. A considerable number of native animals are at risk – wombats, wedge tail eagles, reptiles and open woodland birds and a large variety of ducks and swans.

Local Jobs :
- BP lied when they kept on insisting that there would be 400 jobs for Goulburn. Based on their Scoping Report, Goulburn would be lucky to get 87 jobs during the 9 Month peak period of construction

Abandoned and/or Derelict site :
- Solar farms should be required to lodge a rehabilitation security deposit with the NSW Government to cover estimated rehabilitation costs otherwise you and your children may be carrying the burden of the costs of rehabilitation through your taxes.
- There is no guarantee that the current solar farm Developers or Owners or Land holders will be around at the end of life of the facilities and there is nothing stopping the last company owning a facility going into liquidation, thus leaving no funds for decommissioning, remediation and rehabilitation and leaving the taxpayer the cost.

SOCIAL LICENCE :
- BP and Lightsourcebp have NO SOCIAL LICENCE

I am a neighbour of the proposed Gundary Solar Farm, living with my family at Kooringaroo Road, Gundary, since 1997. Regrettably, I must withhold my name due to the behaviour of a minority of the opponents towards anyone who is publicly supporting the project.
I strongly support the project due to the urgent need to combat climate change.
However, the current proposal by Lightsource BP is inadequate, providing minimal benefits to the community and affected neighbours.
I fully endorse the points made in their submission by The Goulburn Group (TGG).
These include:
1. A substantial Community Benefit Fund.
2. At least half of the jobs allocated to local employees.
3. A training program linked to employment.
4. Preference for local businesses and suppliers.
5. Enhanced Neighbourhood Benefits Program.
6. Contribution to affordable housing.
7. Funding for projects benefiting the local economy, such as the Goulburn to Crookwell rail trail.
8. Cheaper electricity for local residents.
9. Co-investment opportunities for locals.
10. Funding for local road projects.
11. Integrating agricultural activities with solar farming.
Additionally, I am concerned about the insufficient fire prevention measures. My suggestion to Lightsource BP for a sprinkler system to be installed has so far been dismissed on cost grounds.
It’s important for the NSW government to note that opposition to the project is being manipulated by a vocal and politically influential and powerful group. Their agenda extends well beyond the Gundary project, aiming to delay any energy transition and prolong the use of fossil fuels.
The experience of the last few years has shown that their opposition against projects such as Gundary is tightly connected to the promotion of nuclear as a viable alternative source of power. Flooding social media directly and indirectly with false and misleading information is one of the strategies used by these well-resourced manipulators.
I urge the NSW Government to consider this context when evaluating community opposition, ensuring that valid but often misguided concerns are not misused to hinder renewable energy progress.

I support renewable energy projects, in my region. However, the extent this developer has indicated a willingness to invest in the local community, given the years ahead of reaping profits from hosting the project in the Goulburn Mulwaree region is very disappointing. Consequently, a condition attaching to its approval should carry a maximum financial contribution to a community fund should be at the highest benchmarked level and used to (1) contribute funds to the local TAFE to train apprentices and ongoing construction and maintenance staff for renewables installations; (2) establish local affordable housing solutions that can be used initially to house the influx of construction workers for the duration of the installation, which, once completed, will serve as a legacy to the community housing shortage in future; and (3) to set up and operate an Aboriginal Health Service at the Goulburn Hospital to serve the 5.2% representation of population First Nations people, by way of recognising their enduring tenure and stewardship of the land on which the project is planned to be situated.

Further on the point about traditional ownership of the land hosting the project, I don't give much weight to the visual amenity argument favouring agricultural pursuits over renewable energy usage for the land, as agriculture was not the original, nor now the ultimate value to be upheld for the location.

Finally, given the enduring waste that will result throughout the project life, there needs to be significant provision for the local Council to maintain the necessary waste and recycling service that will be required for the project, by way of direct contribution from the developer or indirectly via state government grants offered. There also needs to be a guaranteed provision for decommissioning costs to guard against the host company failing to find the necessary funds within its own financial reserves to decommission the equipment should the need ever arise.

As regards the community fund, I would want to see it administered by an independent body such as Energyco NSW, as the local council has a history of poor support for renewables and my trust in their ongoing administration of such a fund would be shaky.

I object to this project. See submission below

I oppose the solar farm because it would significantly impact the natural beauty and unique character of the landscape I grew up in, Gundary. The loss of these open views and the disruption to the area's sense of place would diminish what makes Gundary so special.

See attachment

Please see attached document.

I grew up in Gundary and visit often. I oppose the proposed solar farm due to its impact on the landscape, which holds both personal and community significance. The area’s open farmland is central to its identity and should be preserved.

I visit the Gundary Plains regularly when visiting my parents on Kooringaroo road. Their property is boarded by this project.
This project has had, is having, and will have significant social impacts on those individuals and families whose properties boarder the project and are visually impacted by the project. The mental health of these residents has not been considered at all in the EIS, it is mentioned but highlighted as a significant problem. Diagnosis of depression ad anxiety as well as suicide have occurred in many of the bordering neighbors of this project. Families have had to move from the area as a result of this project already. Leaving farms and businesses they had planned to hand over to their children.
My parents moved to the area for their retirement. They chose a small peroperty thgey could hobby farm on as they enjoed their retirement in the country. The visual impact of this project has been listed as low for most individuals impacted and medium for one property, this is incorrect. The project will result in a 270 degree view of the solar factory project from 75% of the views of their house. The sweeping landscapes, flora and fauna is one of the things that makes the Gundary Plain a pleasure to view from my parents property when we visit. The solar factor will completely change the landscape and characteristics of the Gundary Plains. This project will significantly impact the property value of their property due to the visual impact it will have from every position on the farm. Every paddock will be disturbed by the view of hundreds of thousands of solar panels.

please see attachment

I travel to Gundary regularly to enjoy the natural beauty and to unwind from the stresses of my career. This project will completely decimate more than 7 sq km of land that I look directly upon from less than 800 meters away. I also object strongly to the undeniable damage the project will have on the wildlife that call Gundary their home.

Please refer attached Letter of Objection.

They have not received a social licence for the project.

Please see the attached document.

I am writing to object to the Gundary Solar Farm.

Subject: Objection to Gundary Solar Electricity Generating Works
I am writing to formally object to the proposed Gundary Solar Electricity Generating Works, with a capacity of 400 MW, due to the significant and detrimental environmental impacts it poses to the land. The planned installation of 740,740 solar panels and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 555 MW and 1,570 MWh, spanning an extensive area of 702 hectares of agricultural land, raises serious concerns about irreversible damage to our environment.
The project, located along Windellama Rd in Gundary within the Goulburn Mulwaree Local Government Area, is set to occupy a solar footprint of 512 hectares. While the transition to renewable energy is essential in addressing climate change, the potential cost to our local ecosystem and agricultural viability cannot be overlooked.
It is crucial to recognize that the extensive land use in this project threatens not only the biodiversity of the area but also jeopardizes the sustainability of local agriculture. The negative effects on soil health, water resources, and local wildlife habitats could have far-reaching consequences for both the environment and the community.
In conclusion, the Gundary Solar Electricity Generating Works must be carefully reconsidered in light of its environmental implications. I urge the NSW Government to assess alternative dense baseload power, or methods that minimize ecological harm.
Thank you for considering my objection.

The Gundary Solar factory must not be allowed to proceed, food producing agricultural land should not be used for intermittent and unreliable energy production. Food security and biodiversity and environmental protection should never be threatened by stupid uneconomical sources of energy.

I object to the proposal based upon the loss of agricultural land.
Yours sincerely
Bob Wheeldon

My name is Peter Lucas and I live at NewAcres, 877 Windellama Road, GUNDARY.
I object to the proposed Gundary Solar Farm being built at 961 Windellama Road, GUNDARY.
Gundary Solar Farm
Application Number SSD-48225958
Attached are my objections.