Mayfair Solar Farm

Soil Contamination & Improper decommissioning may result in heavy metals leaching into the soil, rendering agricultural lands infertile and unsafe.

Environmental Impact: Decommissioning can lead to habitat destruction, threatening local wildlife and plant species, including those critically endangered.

Page 3. DODGY TRANSGRID STITCH-UP & NATIONAL SECURITY NIGHTMARE->

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

‘Utterly false’: Energy expert unleashes on Climate Change Authority head Matt Kean and market regulator ‘beholden’ to government - 16/1/25
https://www.skynews.com.au/business/energy/utterly-false-energy-expert-unleashes-on-climate-change-authority-head-matt-kean-and-market-regulator-beholden-to-government/news-story/a68147f24f47c99c1a868640f6ab7b64

The ISP should be burned to the water line & sunk!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Vtua-5KvY

Casualties of the ISP: Why Grant King & Matt Kean should resign.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZIVkRhnQI0

*Include an 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.”

Elgin’s EIS is full of LIES & DECEPTION beginning with CONsultaton - with the Gulgong community and neighbouring landholders ignored.

CARPETBAGGER ELGIN MUST BE TOTALLY DEAF OR DIDN’T GENUINELY CONSULT if they didn’t hear locals shouting the plethora of agricultural impacts to neighbouring land & the surrounding agricultural community!

Where is Elgin’s comprehensive list of Cumulative Impacts in the Mayfair Solar EIS?
Probably deliberately omitted seeing the Central West has so outrageously been so substantially ruined by all the predatory parasites addicted to the Fake Green RenewaBULL PLAGUE!

Why are Elgin now adding on
"or another land use as agreed between the landholder and the project owner."
Of course they have NO INTENTION OF EVER REMOVING THIS TOXIC JUNK & the deceitful DPHI & IPCN ideologues know full well that the CONTAMINATED SOLAR WASTELAND WILL NEVER BE RETURNED TO ITS INHERENT CAPABILITY - “PRE EXISTING LAND-USE.”
['Additionally, the project is expected to have minimal impacts on long term agricultural productivity of the site. Once the project is decommissioned, land on the study area will be rehabilitated and returned to its pre-existing land use OR ANOTHER LAND USE AS AGREED BETWEEN THE LANDHOLDER AND THE PROJECT OWNER.’

Page 2. Continued -> Toxic Contamination Disaster -

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/

*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, Associated Infrastructure, 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 all Industrialised Solar, BESS, Switch Gear, Circuit Breakers, & Associated Infrastructure planned.
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 the Bond will be securely held.

Reputable, Independent 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.
The majority of Councils have completely failed to do their Due Diligence in addressing the plethora of detrimental impacts of the Industrialised Solar Disaster they’re already ultimately responsible for regarding Contamination/Pollution under the POEO Act!
Essential, ongoing, independent & reputable Soil/Water Monitoring, Heat Island Effect Research & Toxic Waste plans, etc. have all been deliberately neglected for years by DPIE/DPHI/IPCN & most Councils - despite the ECOCIDAL practical reality of Industrialised Solar/Wind Electricity Generating Works & BESS.

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

*Prove 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 the 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 Address & Assess the Serious/Irreversible Health Risks & Impacts to Human Beings & Stock from Solar’s Numerous Heavy Metals including Lead + PFOS & BESS PFAS Contamination.

Also including Emotional/Mental Health impacts for the traumatised Central West/NSW/Australian communities devastated by such destructive plans affecting their livelihoods.
Additionally, include accurate, 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 Mid-Western Shire & 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.
 
*The Riverina’s Bomen Solar Disaster has proven that 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 an Essential Comprehensive Audit Determining if Elgin Energy Pty Ltd & associates are Subject to the National Intelligence Law of their controlling country of origin - 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

China’s Energy Dream
thegwpf.org

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

I Object to Mayfair Solar’s 60 MW Electricity Generating Works with a
60 MW / 240 MWh BESS at Stubbo
as this hazardous, ECOCIDAL industrial, electrification plan is completely unsuitable to be proposed on 217 ha of essential, irreplaceable RU1 Primary Production Land in the pretty & historically precious Gulgong area - which is NOT & SHOULD NEVER BE AN INDUSTRIALISED LANDSCAPE! 

*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, as well as surrounding pasture/cropping land & Water - including nearby Slapdash Creek - which runs generally south from Tallawang to Wialdra Creek near Gulgong, as well as several ephemeral creeks, the wider catchment & dams throughout the site - irreversibly contaminated & consequently completely inappropriate for grazing sheep.
Despite Elgin Energy’s irresponsible claims, according to Livestock Production Assurance 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 coating Chinese sourced Solar Panels, the Electrical Wiring & is also in Solar Inverters - rendering this a disastrous scenario for Mid-Western Shire’s Drinking Water Catchment - with the cumulative impacts already a serious threat from an obnoxious overload of RenewaBULL PFAS causing contamination.

‘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 Elgin Energy Pty Ltd  eliminate this inevitable & extensive Public Health & Safety Disaster?
Where is Elgin Energy Pty Ltd’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 planned 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 creek/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/

Moss Landing Battery Plant Fire Erupts
January 2025
https://youtu.be/-ehDI0Zj8IU?si=L8u-IqRzBzzGn-ep

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. 

*Provide 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

*Provide Proof of 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.
Continued ->

I object to the Mayfair Solar project.
The cumulative impacts of all Central West Orana REZ projects have not been adequately acknowledged or addressed to date leaving the region exposed to a plethora of environmental, social and economic issues.
The negative effects of large scale solar installations have been covered time and time again during exhibition periods for already approved projects (I would suggest they are revisited for this specific project) and never properly considered given those assessing and approving projects do not understand rural and regional areas or farming, and do not have to live with the consequences of the aforementioned impacts.
There are countless guidelines dismissing the potential negative impacts to agriculture, the land use conflicts (using valuable food and fibre producing land for energy production, the possible contamination of soil and water and the flow on effects of that on livestock and meat, the scenic character of rural landscapes, the risk of bushfire and fire fighting limitations, the lack of social license, the impacts to telecommunications and roads and transport and the potential for erosion and negative impacts to surface and ground water and the greater environment (just to name a few) allowing these projects to be approved and constructed.
Valuable and productive farmland and rural and regional NSW should not bear the brunt of the "rapid transition to renewable energy". Large scale renewable energy infrastructure projects are not clean, not green and not saving the environment, in fact, they are responsible for destroying the environment.
Development consent for Mayfair Solar should be refused.

I object to this major project going on prime agriculture and environmental impacts.
These impacts concern water contamination, spatial area required. The significant impacts to our native wildlife is consistently overlooked. There is no social license that destroys carbon sink trees and grasses. The drying out effects continues to be downplayed. Please consider the community and the future wasteland of this unreliable energy sterile zone.

More research and testing is required to prove that "forever chemicals" or any toxic substance, will never contaminate the surrounding soils and waterways.
NOT Renewable.... REPLACEABLE!
NOT environmentally friendly....TOXIC and filled with forever chemicals!
NOT financially beneficial.... Paid for by way of HUGE government subsidies ( OUR TAXES)
NOT recyclable..... an enormous drain on our natural resources to replace each solar panel every decade or so.
Where OH Where are the hundreds of millions of solar panels, (State wide) going when they die?...in just over a decade?
NOT WISE and NOT NECCESSARY when there are other options

UTLA Inc is deeply concerned about the environmental, agricultural, economic and social disaster that is unfolding in our community.

Mayfair Solar and BESS is yet another example of the willful destruction of our land, our communities and our economy.

To date Beryl Solar has had two fires: not only is it unknown where the damaged solar panels were disposed but it was obvious that there was no protocol or resources to extinguish the fire and local fire teams were locked out of the complex. Beryl Solar did not adhere to consent conditions regarding visual mitigation - it appears the NSW State Government is unable to oversee and check that the projects they approve actually fulfil their consent conditions.

Nobody is responsible for any adverse outcomes: not the Local government, not the State government, not the Federal Government and certainly none of the Government agencies who all happily signed off on the project.

Our concerns are for the environment and the communities. The toxic legacy of this project will be PFAS in soil and groundwater.

Stubbo Solar engaged a transport company to freight the panels, from port to Gulgong, that was under a court order wind up in Victoria. A court order wind up arose after the transport company declined to pay fuel bills. Any due diligence here - No. Anyone responsible - No. This same transport company had 3 x B double crashes on the Golden Highway while laden with solar panels. Where were the damaged panels disposed? Was the EPA involved in the crash clean ups or were the solar panel fragments left on the side of the road to seep into nearby paddocks? Was Transport NSW involved in any crash investigation? Was anyone responsible? Fortunately in these 3 separate crashes nobody was killed. How long will it take for people to be killed on the Golden Highway and local roads given the massive increase in heavy vehicle movements planned by this project and all the other projects. Some of our roads are barely fit of purpose now let alone with the forecast increase in traffic. As for Stubbo solar we understand they had to ban B Doubles from delivering the solar panels after 3 single vehicle driver crashes so the solar panels were delivered by semi trailers - that meant more trucks on the road as a semi cannot carry the load of a B Double.

Will Mayfair solar be using the same transport company? Have they paid their bills? Have they trained their drivers? Are their drivers licenced and experienced to drive in Australia?

Will Mayfair solar be using backpackers to install the electrical equipment in the solar and Bess or will they be using licenced experienced electricians?

How do the overloaded Emergency Departments in Dubbo and Mudgee Hospitals feel about the extra people in the area that may require their services? Does Gulgong have a GP? How long does it take to get a GP appointment in Dubbo, Mudgee, Dunedoo, Coolah? Can you even see a GP in these communities if you are new patient?

Why not build this solar and BESS in metropolitan areas, less transmission losses, more resources (eg medical), less transport. Oh that's right - metropolitan areas don't want it: toxic, devalues land, unsightly.

I Vehemently Object to Mayfair Solar and BESS.
Cease and Desist Now Immediately Now every solar farm and BESS in plan or not yet approved in Australia because Trump has exposed the Issue Net Zero he has NO time for, and Neither do I.
Who is Trump ? Ask. Yeah you. Who is he ?
Awake ? Hmmm. Hmmm. Not really but Definitely Is, isn't he, eh?
China, AI, World Control.
Are you researching these, Hey you there Representing Every Australian NB, as gov.au.
Ban Solar Farms Now. Immediately Now. What On Earth Are You, as Representatives of gov.au, Doing to Our, Australians Ours, Murray Darling Basin Food Bowl Catchments? Harming them, yes. Why Are you Doing it? Ask yourself. You Are Representating All Australians with Every Decision You Make Affecting Our, Australians Ours, Murray Darling Basin Food Catchments, aren't you, as gov.au, as gov.au, gov.au. I am Not happy with gov.au who Are and Have Harmed the Australian Food Bowl, the Murray Darling Basin, Correct.
The Murray Darling Basin Food Bowl Catchments be Free of solar farms and BESS now from now.
For Obvious reasons. And I ask Mayfair Solar and BESS be Ceasing Now, Now Now, Now.
Obvious reasons, Obvious.
Yes, Obvious.
The view of gov.au is this:-
- Ignorant
- Harming
- Unaware
- Robotic
- Not growing Food for the Nation, nb Nation
- Breaching Paris Agreements
Hmmm. I do Not want you in charge of Our , Australians Ours, Murray Darling Basin Food Bowl Catchments you see. Look what you've Done already, representatives of gov.au Past Present Future, to the Precious Precious Precious Murray Darling Basin, over the last 8 decades into 100 years into 148 years.
You have No understanding of what you Do to the Land, it's Waters, it's Aquifers, Pristine until 147 years ago, approx. NB Pristine until approx 147 years ago. Look what you've Done to them, Past Present Future Representatives of gov.au.
Wake Up. The US President has. Well, when Will you?
China Rule, eh?
Why? Ask this question please.

Cease and Desist Mayfair Solar farm and BESS on site - around 113,600 ground-mounted solar panels (like those on rooftops).
"..like those on rooftops " ???
To power "around 27,000 homes".

http://www.gulgongsolarfarm.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/P0046824-Mayfair-Solar-Farm_2pp_Newsletter_April-2024_Final.pdf

Well, why aren't All 113,600 solar panels On Rooftops then, instead of Our, Australians Ours, Precious Precious Precious Murray Darling Basin Food Bowl Catchments. I Demand an Inquiry Immediately into why solar panels are planned upon Our, Australians Ours, Precious Precious Precious Murray Darling Basin Food Bowl Catchments, instead of On Rooftops Only, if they are to power Homes. No need for BESS if All solar is on Rooftops Only. Far Less Harm and Loss to Vital Upper Tributary Catchments Murray Darling Basin, Australia's Food Bowl Catchments, NB Food Bowl Catchments NB, Catchments, which flow High to Low through the Land, did you know.
No, sadly.
I am asking these representatives of Mid-Western region these questions. They are Ignorant are they? Well what is a response. C'mon. Send a reply you who represent The Land, The Waterways, The Catchments, Wildlife, Aquifers, Farmers, Community region Mid-Western as well as Community Australia who receive Food from All Murray Darling Basin Food Bowl Catchments, yes. You understand you are responsible and fully accountable for every decision you make as representatives of gov.au? Yes or No.
Yes or No.
I need each representative of Mid-Western council including the named councillors understanding they are fully Responsible and Fully Accountable for Next 8 Generations Futures.
[email protected]  mayor
[email protected] dm
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Um... Shame on you as you are Fully Responsible and Fully Accountable for Impacts to Environment region Upper Tributary MDB Food Bowl Catchments that are vital to Australians eating Food produced upon MDB Vital Upper Tributary Catchments.
Are you all Aware BESS are toxic ? Yes or No.
If you Are then why are you enabling this proposal please.
Farmlands Are Vital to Next 8 Generations Futures, including yours, mine, and all Australians, and How On Earth are Solar farms and BESS being Enabled upon Our, Australians Ours, Murray Darling Basin Food Bowl Catchments - Farmlands ? I need a response please, thank you.
I wonder how gov.au employees and elected representatives get away with it, creating Industrialisation Upon Our, Australians Ours, Precious Precious Precious Murray Darling Basin Food Bowl Catchments - Farmlands necessary for Next 8 Generations of course, into 500 years from now are you aware.
How do you get away with it ? You obviously are not aware, yet Represent this region Mid-Western, and add Australians receiving Food from this region becoming Industrialised For No Reason, No Reason At All. Are any of you Farmers ? Let me know.
Do you any of you, as representatives of gov.au, grow Food for Your Nation ? Let me know.
Um.... I Cannot understand why All solar isn't on our Rooftops, instead of Farmlands we must Honour and Respect, musn't we, and offer Care to for Next 8 Generations into 500 years from now.
How do you, as representatives of gov.au, get away with it please ? Let me know. I Do need to know.
You Are Fully Responsible and Fully Accountable you know, as Representatives of gov.au, making All the Decisions affecting Our, Australians Ours, Futures.
I Pray For Enlightenment Humanity to Control the Land Earth, under the Greatest Threats Unlike Ever Before For No Reason At All.
Oh dear.
The Murray Darling Basin is a Sacred region and you don't seem to know that. Why ? Where do you get your food from please ? Where will Next 8 Generations get their Food from please ?
You don't know what you're doing, do you, as Representatives of gov.au.
I feel you don't farm.
You Obviously do Not Care about Next 8 generations futures, that Include the Land under The Greatest Threats Unlike Ever before, due to Jobs - is it ? Yeah ?? Jobs, is it ? Really. I've got Lots of Jobs for Locals, NB Locals, Locals.
Oh and "Benefits" to community who are ???
I don't like what is going on you see. You people need to understand what you are doing to Our, Australians Ours, MDB Food Bowl Catchments, NB Food Bowl Catchments.
Um...Who Will Be Responsible for All the Land offered Many Many Many Solar Panels please ? You ? Will you ? Yes, you Will. We have No Authority do we to Stop This Nonsense being solar farms and toxic BESS Upon Our Precious Precious Precious Murray Darling Basin Food Bowl Catchments.
I need them on Rooftops Only if they Are only to generate energy For "Homes".
Add Coal and we're right Aren't we, hey. China use it, hey, don't they, and they are a Huge nation building building building INFRASTRUCTURES no-one needs, whilst Wasting Wasting Wasting resources and Energy and FF including OUR Australian Coal going going gone to China for No reason hey.
Australia can run on Coal. And be Far better off than Now into When ??? When ??? 2030 ? 2040 ? 2050 ? 2070.
Unfortunately gov.au seem to prefer Junk Everywhere All Over Our, Australians Ours, Precious Precious Precious Murray Darling Food Bowl Catchments ! Add Toxic BESS you Will research and Will and Now, and from Now, as you Are the Representatives of gov.au, Fully Responsible and Fully Accountable for your fellow Australians, Your Fellow Australians, Your Fellow Australians (and Future Generations of into 500 years from now) you have Not considered, have you, who receive Food from Murray Darling Basin Food Bowl Catchments, facing a quite Unwell future For No Reason At All.
Oh dear.
Please Save Our Australian Murray Darling Food Bowl Catchments from Industrialisation.
What is the matter with Coal please ? Define your reasons for not supporting Coal.
If you really really really view your region, Mid-Western, you Will see the Dire Need is Trees, Trees Trees Trees Trees Trees Trees Trees Trees Trees Trees Trees that can Offer Care to the Land and Next 8 Generations coming.
Replace solar farms with Trees please, as Plantations All Australians, the Land, Catchments, Aquifers, Are Needing, and Will Benefit from, won't they, growing wood, food, infrastructure for building, Shade, Wildlife Corridors, Shelter, deep root systems, etc, aka a way of COOLING the Land to Benefit All On Country Dry Continent Australian Communities, In the Wrong Hands, sadly.
Wake Up.
Hurry Up.
You, as Representatives of gov.au Will be Fully Responsible and Fully Accountable for your fellow Australians and Next 8 Generations you see. No-one else is.
God Please Stop Solar Farms Please.
God Please Stop gov.au harming Our , Australians Ours , Murray Darling Food Bowl Catchments.
These catchments are Ours, Australians Ours.
Catchments flow from High to Low you see. Our Next 8 Generations need a Better way than solar farms and BESS upon Australians Murray Darling Basin Food Bowl Catchments, don't you think ?
Rooftops Only for All Solar Now from Now I Demand. After All, the energy is for "homes" isn't it, and we can all have solar On Rooftops Only, can't we, to Protect Our Precious Precious Precious Murray Darling Food Bowl Catchments into 500 years from now. Yes we can
I Say No to Mayfair Solar, don't you ?
Get your filthy BESS and solar panels etc Off Our, Australians Ours, MDB Food Bowl Catchments.
How Dare You plan this Still, you as Representatives of gov.au.
Shame on you.

I object to Mayfair solar.

1. This project will result in habitat disruption and permanent change to land use. This is agricultural land.
2. Soil degradation – soil compaction, erosion and negative impact on soil fertility will impact the local ecosystem and future land use.
3. Visual impact – covering the area with glass panels will be an eyesore to the local community. Undoubtedly impacting on the scenic value of the landscape and reducing property values nearby.
4. Intermittency and unreliability – solar energy is totally dependent on sunlight. No sunlight at night, we already produce an excess of solar energy during the day from existing rooftop solar.
5. Resource use and unrecyclable waste – the production of solar panels involves mining for mineral like silicon, silver and rare earth elements. Disposing of solar panels will create yet another environmental mess.
6. Heat island effect – industrial scale solar is known to produce a localised temperature increase known as the heat island effect which can impact on the local climate and ecosystems.
7. Transmissions losses – this solar farm is located a long way from the consumption centres on the East Coast. The energy losses during transmission will be enormous.
8. Water usage – extensive water usage for dust suppression,
9. Fire – 2 x 45 000 litres water tanks will not be sufficient to extinguish a fire in the project. Especially when the operational project is only going to employ 1 to 3 FTE workers. Where is the fire team coming from – volunteers in the community? Will it be like the Beryl solar fire where nobody is allowed in for fire fighting. How long will the BESS burn for? Do the local community know that a fire in a BESS /solar project will belch toxic smoke over the community?
10. Energy usage – will the temporary workforce accommodation for 150 people be running on solar and batteries? Or will it be run entirely on the “emergency” Diesel generators?
11. Safety – will the demountable buildings be secure in a high wind situation. Refer to the demountable that blew over recently near Wagga Wagga while 4 workers were inside eating their lunch. All occupants were hospitalised.
12. Agricultural land is chosen because the piles are driven into the ground not cemented, thus making it cheaper to drive the piles into relative soft ground – thus the preference for cropping country. Australia and indeed the world has roughly 10% of land mass that is suitable for growing crops. Now we are covering this in glass and steel piles.
13. Silica is mined in places such as Cape Flattery in North Queensland, the silica is extracted using open pit mining techniques and the sand undergoes washing to remove impurities. Cape Flattery is known for its pristine beaches and natural beauty. How does mining Silica in Australia, sending it to China and importing it back in the form of solar panels solve climate change?
14. This project is an environmental disaster given the PFAS, endless mining of raw materials required to produce the components and often toxic nature of the extraction of those raw materials (eg Lithium).

Yet another toxic solar/BESS unreliable expensive project the taxpayer and energy consumer has to suffer! As for the community...the permanent damage both social and environmental is unending.

We want reliable, abundant and affordable energy.

This project is an environmental disaster.

The opening declaration signed by Jennifer Cooper states that this EIS “does not contain information that is false or misleading”.

With regard to the above statement by Ms Cooper please expand on the information below:

o 'Agriculture – The Project will result in partial and temporary loss of agricultural land. Sheep grazing will be able to continue under the solar panels. Following decommissioning, the agricultural value will be returned in its entirety after the Project lifespan, with the exception of the substation which will be dedicated to Essential Energy'

Ms Cooper do you know anything about sheep production? Have you read the research of sheep being scalped when they get their wool caught in the panel rotation mechanism? What is the DSE for the land at present? Will the DSE remain the same when covered with panels? Are you aware that MLA during an LPA audit want to be assured that sheep meat/wool has not come into contact with solar panels, electrical cabling, particularly PFAS waste. PFAS toxins will leach into the soil and groundwater from this project. It is a bit of a stretch to say that the agricultural land will be returned in its entirety after the project lifespan. Are you pulling up all the electrical cabling?

o 'The Project is consistent with the objectives of the REZ, helping unlock additional reliable capacity in NSW. '

How is solar and BESS reliable? Cloudy days and every night there is zero solar, the BESS is to last 4 hrs – so no Sun at night and a 4 hour Battery – what then? Can your accurately predict when the sun will shine?

o 'Will not result in any significant environmental, social and economic impacts. Residual impacts can be minimised, mitigated and/or offset where necessary.'

Where will the damaged and obsolete solar panels and batteries end up? Beryl Solar never did disclose where their fire damaged solar panels ended up. These projects are short lived and unreliable (for example how’s your phone battery after 10 years). This will result in a vast amount of toxic waste, where’s the land fill?

o 'The area was selected for a REZ due to a combination of environmental, infrastructure and economic factors, which makes it advantageous when considering its renewable energy resources including solar irradiance and wind power. '

Please spell out the environmental, infrastructure and economic factors in detail. Pretty sure it was as simple as a couple of local MPs putting their hand up and saying pick me…..take for example Adam Marshall (former Member for the Northern tablelands) and Dugald Saunders (sitting member for Dubbo). Nothing about environmental, infrastructure and economic factors. Please spell out the environmental, infrastructure and economic factors.

o 'The Project will contribute to the ongoing economic development within the Central (West) Orana REZ and provide opportunity for local employment and secondary economic activity.'

Please identify what percentage of the construction workforce will be local (please avoid including the 88 day visa workers who will be local for only 88 days) and what percentage will be workers who don’t permanently reside in the area. Note that Stubbo Solar used visa workers and Wollar solar had construction teams commuting from Victoria (pretty sure the travel to Victoria and back in the diesel dual cab was not factored into any green credentials).

o 'Considering the inexorable and potentially irreversible impacts that climate change would have on future land uses, biodiversity, and energy securities, among other effects; and the economic contributions to the region, it is considered that the benefits of the Project would constitute a significant overall net positive to the environment and the economy.'

This is a bit vague please expand on whether the building of a solar project with BESS near Gulgong from imported components from China using imported raw materials from all over the world including Australia and then exporting the product to Gulgong is going to reduce the impact of Climate change. As for energy security – relying on a 4 hour battery and solar panels (no energy at night or cloudy days), all connected to the internet, and potentially hackable by anyone wishing to cause harm. How much diesel per day will this project use during construction? Please ask all your contractors to advise. At Wollar Solar one contractor was using 9000 litres of diesel per week, there were a total of 15 contractors on site. What diesel will be required once the site is complete, will the BESS contain diesel generators? What impact does this extra use of diesel and diesel generators have on climate change? Many of us have been forced to buy diesel generators as we don’t trust this “reliable” renewable energy system forced upon us.


In conclusion I reckon, Jennifer Cooper, you could review your statement about the EIS not containing any false or misleading information.

Large Solar Works Objection and reasons listed below
I am a daughter of parents who own a property within the vicinity of the proposed Mayfair Solar Farm works. My house is on Shepherds Lane and was constructed 5 years ago. My land extends to Wyladra creek and my house is closer to Wyaldra Creek. My living area, kitchen and bedrooms are directly facing the proposed project area. My house is not indicated on the maps that are included in the EIS although it is within the vicinity of the proposed project. My family home was not assessed for visual impact, noise impact and I was not included in the impacted property owner’s consultation process.
Visual impacts
The EIS include a statement that visual impact will be minimal but that is not correct in relation to my property and family home.
My property is severely impacted by the project. My sisters bedrooms, my mum and dads bedroom, kitchen, and family room have large, glazed sections all look out onto the project area. I am asking for the EIS to include my property for visual and noise impact assessment. If the Minister approves inspection of the project area, I am happy for the inspectors to attend at my property and see for themselves how the visual impact is horrendous to my family, yet our family home is not even noted on the impacted houses map that is included in the EIS.
Cumulative impact of numerous solar works is overwhelming. There will be a sea of panels around Gulgong and this impacts the visual amenity of the town and surrounding property owners. Why can’t these works be shared among different communities to reduce cumulative noise and visual impact on one rural community? The government should consider the rural communities wellbeing just the same as they consider the wellbeing of people in the cities. Our wellbeing is being impacted by the never-ending cover of our surroundings with glass panels. Beryl solar, Bellambi Heights solar, Stubbo sola, Birriwa solar and proposed wind farms are all located next to each other (250m between Tallawang solar and Bellambi). The cumulative noise of turning thousands of solar panels is unacceptable to the community.
Although my property is impacted, I have not heard anything about the said shared Benefit Strategy. I only read about it in the EIS.
The houses on Black Lead lane will be severely impacted visually as they are on a hill and overlooking the project site. They were not assessed for visual impact.
The continuous glare will severely impact properties. Many properties on Black Lead Lane & Shepherds Lane and Old Mill Road are exposed due to the lay of the land. The houses are constructed on hills and are overlooking the project site. How is that going to be minimised when the affected houses are not even noted on the EIS map?
Continuous noise to impacted residences. What are the long-term health impacts of the continuous noise. Can they provide a confirmation from a Medical Health body or institution to confirm that the continuous noise will not cause long term health impacts to the families who reside around the proposed site.
Flora and fauna
Kangaroos’ movement and black swans’ movement is going to be restricted by the fencing of extensive area. Noting that Mayfair Solar works is proposed next to Bellambi Heights solar works and Tallawang solar proposed sites, animals cannot move across the area.
Risk of weeds growing between solar panels and spread by wind to adjacent farms including my farm
Impact on historic outlook of Gulgong Town and tourism
The town hosts an annual Henry Lawson festival which celebrates the historical nature of Gulgong. The town’s tourism business sector supports the community. This project will impact the historical outlook of the town and ring-fence it with industrial solar works. This is going to destroy tourism business and jobs. This will have huge negative social and economic impacts.

Loss of rich farming land and associated jobs in exchange of temporary jobs and industrial outlook.
Fire risk
The fire risk plan to Gulgong town and surrounding homes is not properly assessed. There is no concrete evidence or information from local Rural fire service (RFS) confirming that the extensive solar works do not pose a risk to Gulgong town. There is no plan provided on how RFS will protect the homes near the solar works in the event of a fire, considering the fumes that the solar works will produce is there is a fire.

Loss of property value
Are there any reports from reputable real estate agents that confirm that extensive solar works does not reduce surrounding property values? No-one wants to buy a property adjacent to a solar farm. The works are enriching various developers and landowners who do not live in Gulgong and is writing off other residents’ properties in the process. Fellow Australians should be treated with reasonable concern. It is heartbreaking to see how property owners are suffering because of these works that are mushrooming around their family homes.

Objectives of production of climate friendly energy can be achieved by placing these solar works in positions or areas where they do not negatively impact rural communities.
The Paris Agreement is not achievable without ruining Australians livelihoods. The rural communities are completely ignored by politicians and are treated as low value people, yet we contribute the same as the people in the cities.

Mayfair Solar & BESS is a horrible plan that would have devastating, toxic impacts on the environment, our vital biodiversity, soil heritage, Water supplies, all living creatures & all Australian people now & for future generations.

Everyone can see that RenewaBULL Swindle Factories are imploding around the world & greedy, gullible Host pariahs will be left with a tragic, impossibly costly mess to clean up.

Contaminating Toxic Fields of Photovoltaic Black & Explosive FIRE🔥Hazardous BIG BATTERIES DO NOT BELONG ANYWHERE AROUND THE CENTRAL WEST OR IN NSW/AUSTRALIA!

There is already a disastrous accumulation of Reckless Ruinable ‘Renewable’ Rubbish - now strewn EVERYWHERE that HAS NO CLEAN-UP PLAN EVER & NO SOCIAL LICENCE AT ALL - now causing a PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY DISASTER, UNAFFORDABLE POWER PRICES, COST OF LIVING CRISIS, ENERGY DEPRIVATION, CRUEL SUFFERING & HARDSHIP & a NATIONAL SECURITY DISASTER just so VESTED INTERESTS, PATHETIC GENERATORS & THE NETWORK OPERATOR CAN RIP OFF THE PUBLIC.

AUSTRALIANS DESERVE OUR FAR SUPERIOR, AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, AUSTRALIAN POWER THAT WORKS ON DEMAND - WITH NO CONTROLLING INTERCONNECTOR NIGHTMARE NEEDED.

I object to this project for many reasons, it is to close to a highly populated area, taking food and fibre productive land out of production and recking the environment just to mention a few.
This power will not be used within the CWO REZ , save building expensive power lines and generate power where it is needed.
These solar ,wind and battery factories are not environmentally friendly and will not replace the power generation system of today.
It seems as though our Government is hell bent on killing the environment to save the environment ,the number of trees that are going to be remove is criminal, farmers cannot clear trees . Seems as though it is one law you and one for us!!

We would like to make a submission to the Mayfair Solar Project SSD-60074458

We object to this planned industrial solar project.

There will be major inconveniences to residents during the lengthy construction process. The increased traffic will negatively impact residents and local road users, increasing travel times to locals and travellers. The construction noise is also a major concern to residents near to the site – construction traffic will dramatically increase, particularly on the local roads.

Solar panels are NOT environmentally friendly – made with a toxic mix of gallium arsenide, tellurium, silver, crystalline silicon, lead, cadmium, and heavy earth materials. Solar panels deteriorate, resulting in lost efficiency, total failure or even fire. They get damaged by hail, wind and fire and potentially leach their toxic chemicals into the soil and water courses. Major damage does happen – such as with the Beryl Solar plant in 2020 with impacts from heavy rain, a lightning strike, inverter damage and other failures. The contamination risks to the land and through the water courses will not be tolerated by the local community.

PV solar systems are also prone to fires from panel and electrical equipment failures causing risk to nearby farms, native bush and the community, as accessing the fires on/near a solar site is difficult and limited for safety reasons. Gunnedah Rural Fire Service has confirmed that firefighters can only fight fires in a solar plant from the perimeter due to dangerous high voltages and the possibility of toxic gases. In August 2022 a small grass fire near Beryl solar plant required a dozen emergency vehicles and three water-bombing helicopters to protect the solar plant and nearby farm. A small fire of this size could potentially be put out by easily and quickly by minimal fire crew, yet this small fire took four hours and multiple crews to bring the situation under control.

The current proposal also includes a BESS. Batteries use lead, lithium and cobalt, all of which are hazardous materials. This is of much concern to residents and the community as ordinary fire suppression measures cannot extinguish a Lithium chemical reaction fire. A fire that occurred in the 350MW/450MWh BESS during testing on 30 July 2021 in Geelong, Victoria shows how dangerous it can be for nearby residents. When one of the 13 tonne battery packs caught fire, it burned for three days and resulted in the evacuation of residents because of the toxic fumes generated.

The University of Washington's Clean Energy Institute report on Lithium batteries stated:
“Li-ion batteries still have a number of shortcomings, particularly with regards to safety. Li-ion batteries have a tendency to overheat, and can be damaged at high voltages. Most Li-ion electrolytes are highly flammable, so damaged batteries can experience thermal runaway and combustion. Because of the risks associated with these batteries, a number of shipping companies refuse to perform bulk shipments of batteries by plane. Li-ion batteries require safety mechanisms to limit voltage and internal pressures, which can increase weight and limit performance in some cases. Li-ion batteries are also subject to aging, meaning that they can lose capacity and frequently fail after a number of years. Degradation, cost, and safety make Li-ion batteries a poor fit for grid-scale energy storage. And despite the high energy density of Li-ion compared to other kinds of batteries, they are still around a hundred times less energy-dense than gasoline, which contains 12,700 Wh/kg by mass or 8760 Wh/L by volume”.



Huge solar plants are not visually appealing and will impact near and not-so-near neighbours. As well as potentially impacting the value of neighbouring properties, the natural beauty of this district is very popular with travellers and visitors. Placing solar panels over scenic farmland will likely deter tourists visiting as the once productive farming land will be a reflective sea of solar panels.

Apart from removing land from productive farming for up to 35 years there is the likely long-term damage to the soil. The long term impact to the soil (from compaction and potentially leaching of toxic chemicals into the soil) could ruin its ability to be productive farmland in the future.

We urge DPE to listen to those most heavily impacted by this project and to consider the cumulative impact on the district by multiple developments. This project should be rejected.

The pollution and contamination risk is too high and therefore this project should not be approved. There is robust proof that the nasty chemicals in solar panels leach, therefore are likely to pollute and contaminate soil and water. We are concerned about the longterm impacts, not only on the site property, but neighbours and water supplies.
Attached is the research paper from researches at Stuttgart University.

This project will industrialise the rural landscape and detract from the rural views.