Mayfair Solar Farm

Elgin’s Contaminating Mayfair Solar Electricity Generating Works & FIRE 🔥 BOMB BESS is designed to poison our soil & water, burn out rural communities & deprive us of essential power.
We need far superior 24/7 Australian Coal & Nuclear Power that actually works for RELIABLE, SECURE, AFFORDABLE POWER.

Elgin’s Mayfair Solar & BESS must be rejected as it totally ignores all the Principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development - in order to unjustly funnel Taxpayers money to Snake Oil Salesman!

Stop the rot now. We do not need this junk all over our rural land. The money being waited on this unreliable energy swindle could be used to build better coal energy generating plant and nuclear in the future. Stop building a burden for generation to come, it is the grandchildren of Australia that will be left to pay for it

I Object to our public money being wasted on the subsidisation of the reckless destruction of limited, essential RU1 Ag Land by dodgy parasites - entombing it forever in contaminating Electrical Junk that won’t work most of the time.
This plan is the antithesis of Energy Security & National Security as well as defying the Paris Agreement as it threatens Food Security.

Decommissioning can sometimes lead to unforeseen environmental impacts, necessitating adaptive management strategies.
I'm concern for the many rural area's this junk is being forced upon, bribed is a better explanation...will be left to deal with it.

Without strict oversight, companies may leave sites partially restored, leading to ongoing environmental issues. there are site in Victoria 10 year on the insulation are let to rot!!!!!!

Heavy machinery used during decommissioning can generate significant noise, disturbing both wildlife and residents. What assurance can you give that our quality of live won't be forever altered.

The Decommissioning processes can release dust and pollutants into the air, affecting air quality. we live in these rural area for a reason the fresh air is one.

Objection to Mayfair Solar Farm Proposal

I am a property owner in the vicinity of the proposed Mayfair Solar Farm development. My home, built five years ago, is located on Shepherds Lane, with my land extending to Wyaldra Creek. My house is situated closer to the creek and features large, glazed sections in the living area, kitchen, and bedrooms that directly face the proposed project site. However, my property is not shown on the maps included in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and no assessment has been conducted regarding the visual or noise impacts on my family home. I was also excluded from the consultation process for impacted property owners.

Visual Impact
The EIS states that the visual impact of the project will be minimal, but this is inaccurate for my property. My home is severely affected, with every major living space facing the project site. The lack of assessment for my property is unacceptable, and I request that it be included in the EIS for both visual and noise impact evaluations. I am willing to have inspectors visit my property to see firsthand the adverse impact this project will have on my family. Despite this, my home does not even appear on the impacted houses map in the EIS.

Additionally, the cumulative visual impact of multiple solar projects in the area is overwhelming. Projects such as Beryl Solar, Bellambi Heights Solar, Stubbo Solar, Birriwa Solar, and proposed wind farms surround Gulgong, with minimal distance between them (e.g., 250m between Tallawang Solar and Bellambi Solar). This sea of panels diminishes the visual amenity of the town and its surroundings. Distributing these developments across different communities would reduce the burden on one rural area. The government should prioritize the wellbeing of rural residents just as it does for urban populations.

Noise Impact
The noise generated by the continuous movement of thousands of solar panels is another major concern. There is no confirmation from a credible health body or institution that this noise will not cause long-term health impacts on families living near the site. The cumulative noise from multiple projects in the area exacerbates this issue. A proper assessment of the long-term health risks is essential.

Impact on Local Properties
The EIS fails to acknowledge the significant visual and noise impacts on properties along Black Lead Lane, Shepherds Lane, and Old Mill Road, which are elevated and overlook the project site. The continuous glare and noise will severely affect these homes. It is unclear how these issues will be mitigated when the affected houses are not even identified in the EIS.

Flora and Fauna
The fencing of large areas for the project will restrict the movement of local wildlife, including kangaroos and black swans. With Mayfair Solar located next to Bellambi Heights Solar and Tallawang Solar, animals will be unable to move freely across the region. Additionally, there is a risk of weeds spreading from the solar farm to adjacent farms, including mine.

Impact on Gulgong’s Historic Outlook and Tourism
Gulgong is a historic town that hosts the annual Henry Lawson Festival, celebrating its heritage. Tourism is a vital part of the local economy, supporting businesses and jobs. Surrounding the town with industrial solar farms will negatively impact its historical appeal, driving away visitors and damaging the tourism sector. This will have significant social and economic consequences for the community.

Loss of Agricultural Land
The project will result in the loss of valuable farming land and associated jobs, replacing them with a temporary workforce and an industrial landscape. This trade-off is unsustainable and detrimental to the long-term prosperity of the region.

Fire Risk
The fire risk associated with such extensive solar works has not been properly assessed. The EIS does not include a detailed plan from the local Rural Fire Service (RFS) outlining how nearby homes, including those in Gulgong, will be protected in the event of a fire. There is also no information on managing the toxic fumes that solar panels could produce during a fire.

Loss of Property Value
The impact of solar farms on property values has not been addressed. No reports from reputable real estate agents confirm that property values will remain unaffected. Properties adjacent to solar farms are difficult to sell, causing financial harm to local residents while enriching developers and landowners who do not live in the area. This disparity is deeply unfair and heartbreaking for those whose livelihoods are affected.

Alternative Solutions
The goals of producing climate-friendly energy can be achieved by placing solar farms in locations that do not negatively impact rural communities. Meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement should not come at the expense of Australians' livelihoods. Rural communities should not be treated as second-class citizens; their contributions and quality of life matter just as much as those in urban areas.

I worry without strict oversight, companies may leave sites partially restored, leading to ongoing environmental issues

Objection to Large-Scale Solar Works – Reasons Outlined Below :

I am a property owner in the vicinity of the proposed Mayfair Solar Farm. My home, located on Shepherds Lane, was built five years ago and extends to Wialdra Creek, with the house itself situated closer to the creek. The living areas, kitchen, and bedrooms of my home directly face the proposed project site. However, my property is not marked on the maps included in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), nor was it assessed for visual and noise impacts. Furthermore, I was not consulted as an impacted property owner.

Visual Impacts:
The EIS claims that visual impact will be minimal, but this is incorrect regarding my property. My home is significantly affected, as large glass windows in my children’s bedrooms, my bedroom, kitchen, and family room directly overlook the proposed project area. I request that the EIS include an assessment of my property for both visual and noise impacts. If an inspection is approved, I welcome inspectors to visit my property to witness firsthand the severe visual intrusion on my family home, which has been entirely overlooked in the EIS.

Additionally, the cumulative impact of multiple solar farms in the region is overwhelming. The extensive development of solar panels around Gulgong is drastically altering the visual character of the town and the surrounding rural properties. Why must one community bear the brunt of these projects rather than distributing them more evenly? The government must consider the wellbeing of rural residents just as it does for urban communities. The constant spread of solar panels—Beryl Solar, Bellambi Heights Solar, Stubbo Solar, Birriwa Solar, and proposed wind farms—creates an industrialized landscape that is visually oppressive. The minimal 250-meter gap between Tallawang Solar and Bellambi Solar is unacceptable.

Houses on Black Lead Lane, which are elevated and overlook the project site, will also suffer significant visual impacts, yet they were not assessed in the EIS. Similarly, properties on Black Lead Lane, Shepherds Lane, and Old Mill Road are highly exposed due to the terrain, and the continuous glare from the panels will negatively affect these homes. How does the project intend to mitigate this when these homes are not even acknowledged in the impact assessment?

Noise Impacts :
There has been no adequate assessment of the long-term health effects of continuous noise from the solar panels’ movement. Can the developers provide confirmation from a reputable medical body that prolonged exposure to this noise will not have adverse health effects on nearby residents?

Flora and Fauna:
The fencing of such a vast area will restrict the natural movement of local wildlife, including kangaroos and black swans. With Mayfair Solar positioned next to Bellambi Heights and Tallawang Solar, wildlife corridors will be severely disrupted. Additionally, there is a high risk of weed growth between solar panels, which could spread to adjacent farms, including my own.

Impact on Gulgong’s Historic Character and Tourism:
Gulgong is known for its historical significance and hosts the annual Henry Lawson Festival, which celebrates this heritage. The town's tourism industry supports the local economy, and encircling it with industrial solar developments will irreversibly damage its historical charm. The loss of Gulgong’s unique appeal will negatively affect tourism businesses and local employment.

Loss of Productive Farmland and Rural Jobs:
The project sacrifices fertile farmland and long-term agricultural jobs in exchange for temporary construction employment and an industrial landscape. This trade-off is detrimental to rural communities.

Fire Risk:
The EIS does not provide a thorough fire risk assessment for Gulgong and surrounding properties. There is no clear evidence from the Rural Fire Service (RFS) confirming that these large-scale solar farms pose no risk. Furthermore, no emergency response plan has been provided to detail how nearby homes would be protected in case of a fire, especially considering the potential toxic fumes from burning solar panels.

Loss of Property Value:
There is no independent analysis from real estate experts confirming that large-scale solar farms do not reduce nearby property values. It is widely known that properties adjacent to solar farms become significantly less desirable. While developers and non-local landowners profit from these projects, long-term residents bear the financial burden as their properties lose value. Rural property owners should not be treated as expendable.

Conclusion:
Renewable energy goals can be achieved without sacrificing the wellbeing of rural communities. Large-scale solar developments should be strategically located in areas that minimize negative impacts on residents. Achieving the Paris Agreement’s objectives should not come at the cost of Australians' livelihoods. Rural communities deserve the same consideration as urban populations, yet we are consistently ignored in favor of large-scale industrial projects.

I strongly urge decision-makers to reject this project based on its impact until the applicant can ensure that affected residents and/or landowners are adequately considered, consulted and protected from the adverse effects of this development.

Thank you.

I am concerned that in this area the same as many area the Contamination of land may become unsuitable for farming, impacting food production and local economies

Abandoned or improperly decommissioned sites can become eyesores, affecting the visual appeal of rural landscapes. I am deeply concern for the rural area of my country, will my generation be left to clean up?

Decommissioning activities can disrupt local communities, leading to displacement and loss of livelihoods.

I object to this project. Another foreign company taking taxpayer dollars to plough local communities up the sphincter.
Our local communities have insufficient police, medical and other services already then all these projects want to come and place extra pressure on them while making to contribution to the community .
The pollution and contamination to local agricultural land and waterways. If there is no chance of this then why is the government making primary producers declare if the produce is grown near these dumpster sites.
In the event of a fire, with the close proximity to Gulgong the local fire brigade will be busy servicing the township and the RFS is volunteers who you have treated with contempt so why would they come to help you lot.

Failure to adhere to environmental regulations during decommissioning can result in legal challenges and fines

Ensuring that contaminants do not leach into the environment requires prolonged monitoring, which can be resource-intensive.

Unclear financial responsibility for decommissioning can lead to taxpayers bearing the costs, especially if companies default.

Exposure to residual hazardous materials poses health risks to local communities, including respiratory issues and other illnesses.

Toxic substances can seep into waterways, affecting aquatic life and contaminating drinking water sources.