Gundary Solar Farm

I am writing to object to your proposed plans for Gundary Plains solar farm. I feel what you are planning to do is wrong and not considering the people this is going to affect. I have a daughter and her partner who live in Gundary where this work is going to happen, they left a busy lifestyle for a quiet life and in doing so, they are now enjoying the beauty of Gundary and its wildlife, which also will be affected by your proposed plans. I know the community there have put forward their objections but don’t appear to be being heard.
Why do big corporations feel they can use their power to override what the community of Gundary DONT WANT. These solar farms have been proven to not be reliable, they also can’t beat the force of Mother Nature, let’s not forget the cost, only to have it destroyed.
Let the people of Gundary enjoy the beauty that Gundary has to offer, there are some whose livelihoods will be affected by this proposed move. Far too many lives and animals lives have been destroyed by the destruction of this planet by large corporations. For once don’t let money and power be the driving force of this decision, let the community of Gundary enjoy what they have worked hard for, let them continue to look out their windows at the beautiful landscape, that I myself have enjoyed and not some monstrosity of a solar farm.
Please hear what the community wants in regards to the solar farm and their reasons behind NOT wanting it to go ahead.
Thank you
Charmaine Swaddle
47/1 Tilbury Rise
Upper Coomera 4209
Queensland

See submission

To Whom it May Concern,
Please find my mothers and my submission attached. This project needs to be looked at closely as it will not create local jobs lets be honest all the crews come with the contractor and only the big local contractors will get a piece of the pie. It is a major fire threat and a down grade to local people who have lived in the beautiful area for many years.

I Strongly Oppose the Development.
Please see attachment
I Can and will provide supporting documentation if required.

Continued ->
*The Full Life-Cycle Embedded Energy & all Emissions is required to be factually documented - from mining materials, processing, manufacturing, transportation, road works, construction, operation, recycling & waste disposal including all components used for all parts of the plan - Solar EG Works, BESS, Substation, Transmission Lines, etc.

Coal’s Importance For Solar Panel Manufacturing – Watts Up With That?
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2024/05/23/coals-importance-for-solar-panel-manufacturing/

*Accurately Document the Most Potent Greenhouse Gas of all - SF6 Emissions from the full life-cycle of Industrialised Solar, BESS, Switch Gear, Circuit Breakers, etc.
Climate change: Electrical industry's 'dirty secret' boosts warming - BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49567197

*Upfront Decommissioning/Remediation Bond & Clean-Up Bond is required to cover full costs (updated in real time)of independently calculated amount with full explanation & identification of where it will be securely held.
Engineer certified, full explanation of all practical actions required to guarantee immediate clean-up after Fires, Storm/Hail Damage, Degradation, etc. & return of the site to its uncontaminated, inherent, food producing capability, including identifying immediately present supplies of substances required to coat broken panels prior to removal, ready access to recycling & toxic waste capability & capacity - apart from local Council.

*Transparently confirm the plan to Indemnify Neighbours - due to inability of neighbours to acquire adequate Public Liability Insurance because of this Hazardous ‘Renewable’ Industry invading & burdening the rural food growing area.

*Confirm with evidence the Developer’s Adherence to the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act so NO Components - including Solar Panels & Cobalt for BESS are sourced from cruelly tortured Slave Labour Supply Chains.

NEW MODERN SLAVERY CONDITION- requiring proof prior to construction that NO Slave Labour supply chain components be used in construction.
New Condition Inserted C4A - Dealing With Modern Slavery.
Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018
*NSW Local Council Act 1993
428 Annual Report
438 ZE Duty to Ensure Goods & Services Are Not Procured From Modern Slavery.

*Prove Adherence to Paris Agreement - Taking over farmland to build facilities to produce intermittent energy is a violation of Article 2, Section 1(b) of the Paris Agreement (2015).
Article 2 1(b) of the 2015 Paris Agreement states:
“This Agreement... aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, including by:
“(b) Increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten food production”; See: https://unfccc.int/files/essential_background/convention/application/pdf/ english_paris_agreement.pdf .

*Factually Addressing & Assessing the Serious/Irreversible Health Risks & Impacts to Human Beings & Stock from Solar’s Numerous Heavy Metals including Lead + PFOS & BESS PFAS Contamination.
Including Emotional/Mental Health impacts for traumatised communities devastated by such destructive plans affecting their livelihoods.
Also, proper, independent analysis of the ongoing Noise Nuisance caused by BESS.

*Livestock Production Assurance Program Clarification is required for grazing Stock on Solar/Wind sites:-

The particular question is 2.8 of the "Food Safety on Your Property" section.

*”Do livestock have access to leaking electrical transformers, capacitors, hydraulic equipment, solar panels, wind turbines, coal seam gas structures or coal mine wastes?"*

- Yes
- No
- I am now aware and making plans to restrict access

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2147446775628698/posts/2222816628091712/ https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2222816628091712&id=2147446775628698

*Factually outline the Engineering Facts of how this plan meets all Aspects Equally of the National Electricity Law Objective:-
The objective of the National Electricity Law is to promote efficient investment in, & efficient operation and use of, electricity services for the long term interests of consumers with respect to:-
(a) price, quality, safety, reliability and security of supply of electricity;
and
(b) the reliability, safety and security of the national electricity system;
and
(c) the achievement of targets set by a participating jurisdiction
(i) for reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions; or
(ii)that are likely to contribute to reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.

AEMO, and everyone in 'authority', place primacy on the emissions target rather than the other requirements of the NEL.
The emissions requirement was only added to the NEL in Sep 2023, with States tardy to legislate any targets, so on what basis did any Gov act prior to that to impose all this on us? Yet they all did, and still emphasise emissions over other objectives.
NEL is made in the SA Parliament, and in the 2nd reading, the minister there also reiterated that ALL OBJECTIVES ARE EQUAL.

As we have clearly seen proven at Broken Hill recently “Wind and Solar are worse than useless in a crisis like this, because it’s detrimental to having a consistent power supply,” Mayor Tom Kennedy said.
“I’d hate to see what happens in the capital cities in a similar crisis.”
https://joannenova.com.au/2024/10/650m-in-renewable-energy-didnt-save-broken-hill-from-days-of-blackouts-after-a-storm-islanded-it/

*Independent, expert clarification of the average Capacity Factor of Industrialised Solar & capability of the BESS is required in order to satisfy the Developer’s claim of supplying reliable energy to power the designated number of households stated.

*Provide a thorough, independent analysis of GENUINE SOCIAL LICENCE (including all Rural Australians) for entombing our limited, irreplaceable Prime Agricultural Land in Industrialised Solar
Community Impact Survey: April-May 2024 – Property Rights Australia
https://propertyrightsaustralia.org.au/community-impact-survey-april-may-2024/

*Abide by Australian and International Environmental Standards:-
AS/NZS ISO/IEC 17021.2:2013 [ISO/IEC TS 17021-2 :2012] Conformity assessment - Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems. Part 2: Competence requirements for auditing and certification of environmental management systems

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 17021.2:2013 Clause 6.7 regarding Use of Space/Physical Attributes (Clause 6.7)
Requires knowledge of:
a. the interactions of the physical attributes (size, shape and colour) of buildings, structures and equipment with the local environment (eg, man-made structures that detract from natural ambience, nature, flora and fauna, and natural settings of the environment in which they have been placed);
b. Operational controls and techniques to manage physical attributes, such as planning and design, landscaping, use of colour to reduce intrusive impact on the environment; and
c. the monitoring of spatial planning, building and equipment requirements as well as maintenance systems and landscaping.

*Biodiversity Offsets are a damaging environmental scam - becoming a trading market with no successful outcomes.
We need real transparency & demonstrative environmental benefits. The proponent can not be allowed to self-refer at any Government level.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/05/18/biodiversity-offsets-scheme-crisis/
Biodiversity offsets

*Address National Security Risks - including a Comprehensive Audit Determining Who is Subject to the CCP’s National Intelligence Law - regarding Foreign Ownership of Critical Energy Infrastructure
There are no secure measures currently in place to prevent malicious actors from using Solar Inverters to disrupt the Solar Electricity Grid.
https://www.senatorpaterson.com.au/news/chinas-spy-threat-to-energy-supplies

Communist China is setting us up for Solar Panel-Based Disaster: https://x.com/JunkScience/status/1824460766918926744

Beautifully Hackable - Irina Slav on Energy - 12/8/24
https://irinaslav.substack.com/p/beautifully-hackable?utm_campaign=email-post&utm_source=substack

In July, Transgrid struck a deal with China’s ZTT International for the delivery of more than 17,500 kilometres of high-voltage conductors to get ahead on HumeLink and VNI West." 4th Dec 2023
https://reneweconomy.com.au/transgrid-hands-out-multi-billion-dollar-contracts-for-controversial-humelink-build/m

*Include Accurate Independent Analysis & Truthful Comparison of all Sources of Power for Reliability, Security, Affordability, Emissions, Toxic Waste Reduction & Minimal Environmental Footprint.

Can We Trust the Energy Transition?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5j6FVAumlE

The 'Sunk Cost' Trickery That Makes Renewables Seem Cheaper Than They Are - 23rd July 2023.
https://www.fresheconomicthinking.com/p/the-sunk-cost-trickery-that-makes?utm_medium=web

Energy Transition Masquerade: The $360 Billion You Pay - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0NKDozvO58

Nuclear VS Renewables: What Will It Cost? | Zoe Hiltonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw_AX9WaJ08

*Include the Proponent’s & Consultant’s Commitment to Integrity & Ethical Behaviour & their Knowledge of the Legal Consequences for any lies or deceit - ie. “confection ….. made up evidence - so lacking in integrity that no weight can be placed on it.”

Lightsourcebp’s hazardous, ECOCIDAL Gundary Solar Electricity Generating Works + BESS industrial plan is unsuitable to be proposed on 702 ha of Productive Agricultural Land on the iconic & precious Gundary Plains.

*Being a toxic contaminating plan with no upfront Decommissioning/Remediation Bond or an Operational Bond to ensure the complete Clean-Up from sudden Storm or Fire🔥events during its decades of existence is a Public Health & Safety disaster that would render this food producing site & surrounding land & water irreversibly contaminated forever & obviously completely inappropriate for grazing sheep.
Despite Lightsourcebp’s irresponsible claims, according to Livestock Production Accreditation requirements, livestock must be restricted from ‘leaking Solar Panels.’

Additionally, the recent Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Draft has highlighted PFOS as a toxic contaminant - PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate or Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid) is found in Solar Panels - 740,740 of them - rendering this a disastrous scenario for Sydney’s Drinking Water Catchment - which includes this site.

‘NHMRC has drafted an update of the PFAS Fact Sheet within the Guidelines that includes revised and newly established health-based guideline values. The draft PFAS fact sheet is supported by a NHMRC Statement on PFAS in drinking water, which provides a summary of the findings that informed the update.  
The PFAS reviewed as part of this update include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA); perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS); perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS); perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid and its ammonium salt (GenX chemicals).’
Further information on the NHMRC Review of PFAS in Australian drinking water is available on the NHMRC website.

The World Health Organization now lists two PFAS as carcinogens or possible carcinogens: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as a Group 1 carcinogen and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as a Group 2B carcinogen.

A range of PFAS is also subject to the Stockholm Convention for the protection of human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (ie, PFOS, PFHxS, PFOA and potentially all long chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids). 

Some types have been found to be toxic to human health and the environment.
In its most definitive regulatory action taken to date, the Commonwealth has effectively banned the import, use and manufacture of some of the more prominent types of PFAS (PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS) from 1 July 2025. (21 Feb 2024)

Impact of PFAS on Human Health
https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2024/46/more-funding-needed-to-investigate-impact-of-pfas-on-human-health/

Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems are also a PFAS Contaminant.

’Forever chemicals’ used in lithium ion batteries threaten environment, research finds | Lithium-ion batteries | The Guardian 14/7/24
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/jul/14/forever-chemicals-

*How will Lightsourcebp eliminate this inevitable & extensive Public Health & Safety Disaster?
Where is Lightsourcebp’s reputable, independent, peer reviewed research to prove the ‘Health & Safety’ of their infrastructure midst food production & water courses - the impacts for human beings, animals & biodiversity from the industrialised, Solar Electricity Generating Works’ components - including the Toxicity Ratings of their Solar panels, Inverters, Batteries & Galvanised posts, etc.

*Please provide a comprehensive list of all molecular compounds/chemical elements contained in the Gundary Solar panels (including all of the components which make up the panel,) so this can be reviewed & confirmed by independent scientists.
That is, the atoms and molecules involved in the electrical components, the film, the silicon cells, the frame, etc. of these PV Solar panels & all else that will be used, including BESS components.

*Inclusion of Engineering Facts, Scientific Rigour, Integrity & Ethics for Assessment & Determinations is required NOT just trusting the Developer & Ideologically Biased Approving Bureaucrats with Vested Interests.
It is ESSENTIAL to include all of the following to be determined by REPUTABLE, PEER REVIEWED INDEPENDENT EXPERT EVIDENCE NOT the DODGY DEVELOPER.

*Determination of all Public Health & Safety Risks to Human Beings/Ecology/Ecosystems including:-
Electrical Force & Electromagnetic Radiation,
Numerous Toxic Heavy Metals including Lead leaching from Solar Panels & PFOS as they degrade, if inferior, broken/damaged, fractured by hail or burnt & filthy, Fire hazardous BESS PFAS Contamination.
Include cumulative ‘renewable’ contamination impacts which will likely infiltrate the water table and local river systems, jeopardising both our quality of life and broader water infrastructure.

Leaching Via Weak Spots in Solar Panels
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348883160_Leaching_via_Weak_Spots_in_Photovoltaic_Modules
“Our long-term experiments clearly demonstrate that it is possible to leach out all, or at least a large amount, of the (toxic) elements from the photovoltaic modules. It is therefore not sufficient to carry out experiments just over 24 h and to conclude on the stability and environmental impact of photovoltaic modules.”

Solar Realities - Physicist John Droz jr
https://election-integrity.info/Energy/Solar_Energy_Concerns.pdf
We know that these are some of the toxic (some carcinogenic) chemicals that have been identified as likely being in solar panels (click on the links to get an idea of what some of the adverse health consequences are):
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAs)
Perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS)
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
Fluorinated Ethylene (FEP)
Cadmium Telluride
Copper Indium Selenide Cadmium Gallium diselenide Copper Indium Gallium diselenide Silicon Tetrachloride Hexafluoroethane
Polyvinyl Fluoride
Also, here is a basic explanation of the silicon manufacturing part of solar panels. The following are some additional toxic chemicals that have been identified as possibly being involved in the fabrication of solar panels, which might end up in the finished product:
Hydrogen chloride
Silicon tetrachloride
Hydrochloric acid
Sulfuric acid
Nitric acid
Sulfuric acid
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Formaldehyde
Arsine gas
Trichlorosilane gas
Silane gas
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur hexafluoride
Sodium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide
Lead

Contamination from Industrialised Solar’s Galvanised Steel Supports
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/srbXaCbKgVXocgsm/?mibextid=xfxF2i
James Falcsik White County Indiana Residents Against Solar
21 h

Unmasking the Toxic Truth - The Solar Panel Waste Story
https://youtu.be/_Ck2dHflJ3s?si=0WS5CYhuCb6hNvP0

*Factual Assessment of Increased🔥FIRE Risks is required, including evidence from the local Volunteer Fire Fighters, all landowners in the area, Rural Fire Fighting Pilots & Medical Experts.

Solar Inverter "Burst into Flames:" Fire Injures Worker at South Australia Solar Farm | RenewEconomy - 10th Jan 2024
https://reneweconomy.com.au/inverter-burst-into-flames-investigations-underway-into-fire-at-south-australia-solar-farm/

Safety of Grid Scale Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems
“The scale of Li-ion BESS energy storage envisioned at “mega scale” energy farms is unprecedented and requires urgent review. The explosion potential and the lack of engineering standards to prevent thermal runaway may put control of “battery fires” beyond the knowledge, experience and capabilities of local Fire and Rescue Services.
BESS present special hazards to fire-fighters….”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352158070_Safety_of_Grid_Scale_Lithium-ion_Battery_Energy_Storage_Systems

Grid Scale Batteries & Fire Risk
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/656f411497ae14084ad8d03a/t/66fd2383b56dbc6906390297/1727865736681/Fannon-Batteries.pdf

Bouldercombe Battery🔥Fire sparks warning for residents in regional Queensland - 26/09/23
https://www.9news.com.au/national/bouldercombe-battery-fire-sparks-warning-for-residents-in-regional-queensland/b4b3058a-cb0b-4209-a02d-6b12d80c63ac

Gateway Energy Storage System🔥Fire: Otay Mesa, CA - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7UY4ioP4VQ

Add yet another Lithium Battery🔥FIRE - this one in Scotland - Lithium Battery Recycling Centre.
https://youtu.be/d-hvsz2tyhc?si=S16_g1LWETu1pj70.

*Confirm the Developer’s Guarantee to Ensure Clean Drinking Water & No Environmental Contamination as “We have a human right to clean drinking water and an environment free of toxic load,” Dr Stops said. “Dr Orellana reminded us that Australia has ratified the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in 2004

*Confirm the Developer's Adherence to Amended Condition C8.
Prior to Commencement of Any Works - Storm Water Management Plan.
On Site & Discharge From the Site.
Testing Points & Regular Water Samples, Suitably Qualified Person.
Written Response Procedures if CONTAMINATION is Found - required PRIOR to CONSTRUCTION.
Availability of Results.

Sediment Run-Off Contaminating Land/Water - Court Case -
“Created, Operated, and Maintained a Nuisance”
Solar farm runoff pollutes property, couple awarded $135 million - CFACT
https://www.cfact.org/2023/06/06/solar-farm-runoff-pollutes-property-couple-awarded-135-million/
By Bonner Cohen, Ph. D. |June 6th, 2023
25th Oct 2023 update …A federal judge has dramatically reduced a jury’s $135 million award to a Georgia couple (https://www.ajc.com/news/couple-awarded-135m-after-solar-project-turns-their-lake-to-mud-hole/BZ6BYXQREJCDROQV6ZASUW5WOI/

Continued ->

This disastrous plan will never provide any reliable, affordable power at all.
It relies on the vagaries of the weather & has an incapable BESS.

When the powers that be realise that we are living in the Nuclear age & wish to remain an advanced country, most of what is planned for NSW will become obsolete.
The state will be stuck with the environmental vandalism & extensive contamination caused by Government (taxpayer’s) heavily subsidised ‘renewable’ energy installations.
What a disgrace!

My grandparents own and live in the main homestead of the original Gundary Plains property. Our much loved family home looks over the Gundary Plains and BP Lightsource are proposing to place a 14 acre substation in the direct view of the house. This is absolutely devastating for our family who have owned the home for near on 30 years. No amount of tree screening will be able to hide the huge substation from the view. The Gundary Plain is not a suitable location for the installation of such a large scale solar farm with battery storage and substation. The area is highly populated with residents who own small acreages seeking a quiet and picturesque lifestyle. Two thirds of the proposal falls within a 10 Km distance from Goulburn (SEPP) and on land that has been designated for Goulburn's expansion in years to come. The fire risk to residents is substantial especially those on Kooringaroo Rd who reside on a dead end road. Property devaluation has been advised at 20%, no acknowledgement of this has been given by BP Lightsource who will decimate the view from our family house with a huge substation, but have not offered any compensation what so ever. BP have no social license or consideration for the locals residing on the Gundary Plains. The installation will pollute the water ways, contaminate the soil, destroy the picturesque nature of the area, expose residence to noise pollution for years whilst the installation is taking place, create a heat bank for those sharing a boundary with the factory in summer months, exponentially increase the fire risk which will in turn increase insurance premiums for residents on the plains.
The Gundary Plains is too heavily populated with small rural holdings to consider the approval of such a large scale solar factory. It is a totally inappropriate location.

I am writing to vehemently oppose the Gundary Solar farm installation proposed on the Gundary Plains just outside the regional city of Goulburn. This location is a totally inappropriate site to install such a large-scale solar factory consisting of 750, 000 solar panels with supporting BESS battery storage and an enormous 14-acre substation which is proposed to be located right amongst a significant amount of small rural holdings where locals enjoy a quiet, private and picturesque landscape.

1. SEPP (Special Environmental Protection Provisions)
- The SEPP is a government initiative designed to protect the rights of residents living within a 10-kilometre radius of Goulburn City. It restricts large industrial developments that could negatively affect residents' sense of community, their living space, and their enjoyment of the Gundary Plains. More than two-thirds of the proposed development falls within this 10-kilometre zone, placing this development in direct contrast to the SEPP guidelines for this area. It is noted that this area has been designated as a growth zone for the township of Goulburn by the Local Goulburn Council.

2. Fire
- The fire risk for the 100 + residents living in a 4km radius of the site is significant, but catastrophic for the 40+ residents residing on Kooringaroo Rd which is a dead end. The entire site will be fenced preventing access in or out in the event of an emergency and the local rural fire brigade have visited the site and advised they will not be entering the site to fight a fire due to the risk surrounding limited access in and out.

3. Loss of Land Value
- The large number of people living around the proposed solar factory site have been advised by qualified Real Estate agents that their properties will be devalued from 20-30%. BP Lightsource have not acknowledged this to date and any compensation offered to the very small number of neighbours visited by BPLightsource to discuss compensation is an insult and by no means in line with real estate devaluation levels. This is having a massive impact on the mental health of those currently living on the Gundary Plains. Some landowners are facing significant financial stress.

4. Remediation and Decommissioning
- BP Lightsource have no plans surrounding the remediation and decommissioning of the site at the end of its life. This is unbelievably irresponsible. The costs of such works have been estimated at $147 million, many times the actual value of the property hosting the factory and by no means affordable for a private landowner, therefore this places the area at threat of abandonment or taxpayers will have to wear the brunt of the cost. It is also noted that due to Photovoltaic leaching the land would be limited following any remediation. The pollutants present within the soil structure would significantly limit the land use into the future.

5. Roads
- The Windellama road would require a significant upgrade to safely support the huge increase in large heavy traffic getting to and from the site for installation. The Fifes Bridge is too narrow for two trucks to safely pass and the north approach to the bridge is not visible with enough distance to safely stop a heavy vehicle. BP have given no thought or provided a plan surrounding how the roads surrounding the development site would be prepared for the installation of the factory.

6. Water Pollution.
- The risk of pollution in the water ways within the solar factory site is enormous and these water ways flow into the Sydney Water catchment.

7. Landowner
- The owner who will be leasing his land to BP Lightsource does not reside on the property or live in the local area. He is expected to be very significantly financially rewarded for the lease of his land, with no compensation offered to the people living on the surrounding properties who will have to endure the visual decimation of their surroundings.
I grew up and have lived on the Gundary Plains for most of my life. Our multigenerational home is over 100 years old and is the homestead to the original large-scale property, called Gundary Plains. The homestead enjoys a beautiful view overlooking the plains and we have centred our garden to accentuate the view. BP Lightsource proposes to erect a 14 acre substation directly in the view from the house. The gantry poles are so high, no number of trees will screen this monstrosity from our view. My children love our home and playing in the garden, it is a place where family and friends gather or come to seek solace in times of need. The approval of the solar factory would devastate our local area, decimate the local environment, significantly stress its many residents and occupy land designated for growth for the local town of Goulburn.
PLEASE DO NOT APPROVE THIS SOLAR FACTORY.

I Object for these reasons:-
• It is destructive to native flora and fauna;
• Construction will leave a legacy of land destruction that is unlikely to be rectified by the builder;
• It is an abomination on the natural landscape of a massive scale.
• It is part of a system that costs billions, does not work reliably and attempts to solve a problem that does not exist, in other words useless and irresponsible use of public funds;
• All such infrastructures should be built at developer’s expense, NOT on public funds, we are told wind and solar are the cheapest, well prove it, remove all subsidises do not build this system on public funds;
• The TOTAL cost has not been verified by independent experts;
• There is NO verified scientific basis for reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere so this project is a total waste of public money, along with all other such projects.  There is in fact reliable verifiable scientific proof that CO2 is beneficial to plant life and by extension to human life on earth.

The fact is that so called ‘renewables’ will not bring enough energy to supply ordinary Australians. They have not been proven to deliver continuous supply.

I am very unhappy that there is no opportunity for open debate on this destructive energy depriving venture that will change the life of all Australians.

The fact is energy costs will keep on rising for ordinary, already struggling householders.

Australians are being unjustly deprived, mistreated & harmed by these terrible plans!

This obnoxious plan shows extreme disrespect for the environment, the local community, future generations & Australia’s welfare as it has horrendous, toxic impacts & is being imposed by intimidating bullies without factual research, proper consultation or consent.
Our voices are ignored while we are forced to endure a dangerous, untested system!

The environmental & economic ruination caused by this reckless, unreliable & unaffordable ‘renewable’ stupidity is causing great distress, austerity & hardship throughout Australia - hurting families & putting immense strain on businesses/ industry & the economy.
More jobs will be axed & vulnerable people will die as these terrible plans cause extensive blackouts & national weakness - with no energy security, food security or national security - thanks to incompetent, dictatorial megalomaniacs selling our electricity grid out to our most hostile enemies!

This is an unproven, unreliable experiment using inferior, environmentally destructive, toxic contaminating JUNK THAT NOBODY WANTS & WON’T EVEN WORK MOST OF THE TIME!
The empty promises of clean, reliable, sustainable are all absolute baloney as this deplorable, electrified nightmare is nothing but a great big scam making the carpetbaggers bucket loads of Fake Green cash ripping off the energy deprived, long suffering, unjustly treated public.

This inferior, damaging plan will cause inadequate Grid Reliability - breaking down the stability of the electricity grid, leaving Australians without an Essential Electricity Service that we are paying for to be available on demand.
There will disgracefully be BLACKOUTS & unreliable power during critical times, such as during extreme weather events or high demand.
PUT THE COAL BACK IN THE COALITION & ADD A NUCLEAR POWER FUTURE!

Please note that I feel it is necessary to provide information in relation to my experience with lightsource BP as it has impacted me significantly and should not be dismissed.

MENTAL HEALTH, IMPACT ON HOBBY FARM BUSINESS & HORRENDOUS EXPERIENCE TRYING TO DEAL WITH LS BP:
I will provide information that relates to the EIS submission as much as possible that directly affects me. Unfortunately, as I work during the week and on the weekends, the timeframe given to make an objection was insufficient. I was unable to go through every single point in the EIS as each point provided an opportunity for someone like myself to provide ACTUAL data due to the fact that every point provided by LS BP could be argued. Also, I feel that maybe it is to my benefit that I didn't spend too much time on it as I found myself loosing sleep over what BP believes to be sufficient reasons for putting a large scale project within 100 metres of peoples homes and destroying a large amount of land, clearing of trees and displacing and killing thousands of protected wildlife that call the Gundary Plains home. I also wouldn't be able to run a farm stay for visitors in my cottage with all of the construction noise taking place over a long period of time, as people come here to enjoy the peaceful hobby farm life. If at any point I decided that I cant deal with any of this anymore I would be stuck. Even if I was able to sell, it would be at a massive loss. Unfortunately, BP have straight up refused to offer any of the affected residents with a financial plan to mitigate the loss in property value or take any responsibility for the very real mental health issue that is taking place within this community right now as I am writing this, even though they have stated in their EIS submission that they are all about the community and key stakeholders and working with affected landowners. A 100% this has not been the case as we have on so many occasions tried to contact BP to tell them of our concerns and it has gone on deaf ears.
I have had a horrendous experience dealing with LS BP. In the 3 years that I have had to deal with this situation with BP, they have not once been up front and honest with me or answered any of my questions. They displayed abusive behavior in my home all because I told them that I would be recording my consultation with them, which resulted in me having to tell them to leave as I was not going to be treated like that in my home. They organised for UMWELT to come and take photos of my property without my prior knowledge and without giving me sufficient time to be home to meet with them to find out what they were doing and why they were here on Kooringaroo Road and photographing our properties. It's all been quite a stressful experience and they have not once made me feel like I can trust them. They have lied all the way through, have zero integrity or compassion for what this community has been put through.

FAILURE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT DECOMMISSIONING, CLEAN UP AND REGENERATION:
The lightsource BP EIS submission was pretty difficult to swallow as there is a huge amount of inaccuracies and missing information that doesn't provide a clear understanding of what they will do in the case of decommissioning, clean up and regeneration of the land (amongst other things), as no financial amount was disclosed or how they would go about fixing their problem. I'd say that is because in my opinion, even though they don't state it in the EIS, LS BP may not wish to see this project out to the very end, just like their other projects that they are trying to sell to a chinese company.
IMPACT ON INDIGENOUS SITES:
They severely lack data regarding their communications with indigenous communities, as to whether these communities were concerned about this large scale project. If all they are obligated to do is say that they contacted them but don't need to provide any further information, then there is a major problem with this system.
AFFECTED PROPERTY VALUATIONS:
Myself and other affected residents have received alarming (current) property valuations, from different real estate agents even though the project is only at this stage of the process. What I have quickly realised through talking to affected landowners who have been trying to sell is that the feedback that they get from potential buyers is that nobody is interested in investing in a property that is right next door to a large scale solar project (even though LS BP have been trying to tell us this whole time that property prices would go up). Residents have already found it difficult to sell their properties due to the BP large scale proposal and very affected residents who have managed to sell, have taken a massive loss just to get away from here. One resident in particular has had her property on the market for over two years and still cannot sell. I mean, where are all the keyboard warriors on social media who claim that they would love to live next door to a large scale solar or wind project?? None of them are buying up property next to a large scale solar and wind project, which proves the point that it would be a financial disaster to do so.
NOISE IMPACT:
In the EIS it states that I will be subjected to louder than normal noise levels during construction but then in another section they state that all landowners at the exception of one resident who would be considered moderately impacted, are apparently low to very low impacted.
CONSULTATION WITH BP:
BP also state that ALL directly affected landowners that live within a kilometer of the proposed site have been consulted. Well that is a 100% untrue. I live within a kilometer of the site and they have not been in consultation with me. They refused to be in consultation with me due to not wanting to be recorded.
GOULBURN, A RURAL CITY & UMWELTS ASSESSMENT OF PROTECTED SPECIES ON THE GUNDARY PLAINS:
Even though UMWELT would argue that they had been to the site a sufficient amount of times to know what protected species live on the Gundary Plains, they failed to locate what does live on and within the proposed site. That is because turtles don't live under tiles, they live near water. Eagles don't live under tiles, they live and nest higher up. Echidnas are not capable of hiding under tiles. Birds don't live under tiles etc. etc. UMWELT were under the impression that if they laid down a few tiles on the proposed site, that would give them a better idea of what species live here. But it did nothing and so it provided them with insufficient data.
GOULBURN COUNCIL REJECT LARGE SCALE PROPOSAL:
Lightsource BP were unable to get approval from the Goulburn Mulwaree Council. A number of us have been in contact with the local council. Our council objected to it because Goulburn is well known for its history, heritage and ACTUAL farm land. Goulburn is now considered a rural city and where BP propose to put this project is within mapped land. Regardless of whether Goulburn was considered a city or not when BP started their proposal, it is now and has been for 12 months. Which means that if LS BP were to be approved to go ahead with construction, they would be in conflict with Goulburn council, the residents who live here and the Goulburn community and future plans for Goulburn.
FIRE RISK:
- Kooringaroo Road is a dead end road and all residents on the south side of Kooringaroo Road would be trapped if there was a fire, which is a very real danger and worry for us;
- Kooringaroo road turns into a dirt road and eventually becomes a one lane road. This impacts the local fire fighters from accessing the western part of Kooringaroo Road if there was a fire;
- Because this project is so large, it would take approx 10 to 15 minutes to get to the site of the fire depending on which end of the site the fire was located;
- Roads would need to be built to allow access for fire trucks to get to the fire and residents to escape;
- Along with new roads being built, the current dirt road on Kooringaroo Road would need to be widened and resurfaced;
- To allow for new roads and widening of roads there would need to be a significant amount of clearing that would need to take place;
- The other issue is that NSW RFS have specified that LS BP do not allow for anywhere near enough access to water if there was a severe fire. This only takes into consideration of a fire bush or grass fire or house fire, as water cannot be used to put out battery, oil and electrical fires from the panels and their proposed large scale battery installation taking up a large portion of the site;
The biggest issue in relation to the very real fire danger is that we experience on a regular basis high to severe winds from the west. This would mean that if there was a fire, it would come directly towards my home. Also, if there was a fire the residents would not have enough time to escape. If you are to look up any article of any severe fire event that has happened in the past around Goulburn, they all state that at the time there was very high winds. Its the only reason why any fire event here on the Gundary Plains has become quite significant. You only have to look at the history to see that this project is definitely in the wrong place.
B.O.M STATISTICS:
B.O.M have determined that Goulburn has only approx 70 to 80 days of sunshine. Need I say anymore.
CLOSING:
As much as I would like to address each point, I just don't have the time to do it. What I have provided above is more than enough to realise that this project would be in the wrong place and would affect all of the residents that live around the site and if there was a severe fire break out, it would affect all of us from Goulburn all the way to Nowra (going off of past severe fire events).
I have invested a pretty penny to live in this beautiful place, I hope it doesn't get taken away from me.

Energy Poverty will result from this Swindle Factory plan that will burden Australians with exorbitant energy costs, driving many individuals & businesses to the wall.
We will continue to see prices unjustly skyrocket beyond what everyday Australians can afford, while also exacerbating the national cost-of-living crisis - all because of these pathetic, weather dependent plans that are so destructive & don’t work most of the time.

I object to the Gundary Solar farm for the reasons outlined on the attached PDF document.

Irreversible Environmental Damage will be caused by this non-sensical plan, with harmful substances ruining our essential, productive land & water systems forever - never to be cleaned up by these vandalising developers & gullible hosts - leaving lasting damage to our environment.
This is a legacy of destruction that cannot be undone!

TOXIC POLLUTION & NO POWER will be the result of this destructive, industrialised rubbish - especially with heavy metals & forever chemicals—posing long-term risks of soil and water contamination, poisoning our ecosystems, wildlife, and future generations.