Richmond Valley Solar Farm

I Vehemently Object to Richmond Valley Solar Farm. Leave Casino FREE of All Solar Panels and batteries , Yes Them, a Toxic Infrastructure upon Our Lands You Cause Harm and Loss to, gov.au. How Dare You.

Put the damn things on Rooftops Only, those panels you want covering 800 plus ha !!! For Gods Sake.

I Demand a Moratorium on:

- Ark Energy
- gov.au
- Korea Zinc
- Toxic Future

I Demand Rooftops Only for Solar panels.

I Demand Solar Panels On Farmlands Cease Now, and Do so. Gratitude.

I see a very unwell Land area coming into view around this area where someone thinks they can put Solar Panels On Wetlands. In my area our Mayor has said they won't be decommissioning any Renewables. What's a Comment. Give us a Comment. Give us a Comment.

If you had them On Rooftops Only you would have to decommission them wouldn't you, All Those Millions of Solar panels now sadly sadly sadly upon Wetlands and Farmlands and Prime Agricultural Lands our Next Generations Need , Don't They.

I'm so sad I feel I can't do anything to get my government under investigation for Harm and Loss to Environment All On Country Environment for No reason.

One day I'll do something. I need money you see. Millions I reckon. Millions. To take All Renewables down and Dump them on all your doorsteps. That's all of them. Then then then it Might be possible to Care for Country and All On Country. Might. Or it'll be court because you are Breaching particular sections of a Paris Agreement you aren't following. Anyway, Get these Things Off Our Farmlands and Wetlands and Prime Agricultural Lands , being Solar Panels Forced onto Rooftops Only.

Forced Onto Rooftops Only be the Way From Now for All Future projects of Solar Panels type.

I Demand 9 New Coal Fired Power Stations Immediately Immediately Immediately and Cessation of Connection to a Communist Nation making things they Don't need to With With With Our Our Our Australian Australian Australian Coal Coal Coal Going Going Going Off Off Off Shore Shore Shore to a Communist Nation to Pollute their Lands, and their People's Lands, then giving back the infrastructure to Pollute Our Environment All On Country Environment, just like You, gov.au, Do To Other Nations without their Knowledge Permission or Consent, How Dare You.

Right. EIS requirements Update to 2024 please. 1999 requirements have no meaning any more. I Hold you Responsible for Harm and Loss to these Catchments near Casino, I know, and Do. They flow into Wetlands you see. Aka Farmlands downstream. I will need Labelling of All Food from This Moment, This Moment. Paddock to Plate Labelling enforced onto Food products so we all Know which Area the Food has Come from and and and exactly where it's been grown. They Should be on Food Now. Paddock to Plate Labelling. Do you see what You do , gov.au. You are Threatening Our Future Farmlands. Yes You, those in gov.au.

Get Out Now and leave your Jobs and go and Work on a Farm and say Sorry for All the Harm and Loss You Cause Farmlands, Catchments, Waterways into Oceans you will not Cease will you, gov.au. Therefore You Are Fully Responsible.

Finally Got It. Yes, Got It. Decommissioning. Hmmm. You'll never do it will you, gov.au. Hosts will have to do it. They won't. I Hold you, gov.au, responsible for Pollution Future Farmlands.

How Dare You, gov.au-multinationals-global, a Hideous Hideous Hideous Sharemarket group supporting Toxic Culture Past Present Emerging, without our Knowledge Permission or Consent, How Dare You All as gov.au, Yes All of You in gov.au Complicit in a Toxic Culture Future we cannot Cease yet, NB, yet.

One day you will be all responsible for:

- Toxic Farmlands and Ours Note, Get It, Ours, Ours, Ours, Australians Ours, where we can't get Heard.

I say How Dare You Create Toxic Environments upon a Planet named Earth, not yours to Cause Harm Loss To, Australian Government. You, gov.au, are Complicit in Fully Support Renewables, Made in Asia, but but but Where Specifically and On Whose Farmlands, Catchments, Waterways etcetcetc.

How Dare You offer a Solar Farm in this area, and Enable Ark Energy a right upon this Land, Upper Tributary Catchments of Casino Farmlands Note. How Dare You. I Demand Ark Energy be forced to leave the nation they are not able to Care for. Not. Never will. Never never will. Never will.

Cease any large 8 hour Lithium batteries in this area Immediately.


How Bad are you in there in gov.au ? How Dare You Create Toxic Culture Future upon the Land named Australia without offering the information many need on solar farms, left to rot on Lands because decommissioning still not been determined in legislation , or has it ? Put Solar Panels On Rooftops Only and follow through with decommissioning because you'll Have to, gov.au, won't you, if they're on Rooftops Only, but you don't want to do you, gov.au, because you want to leave them All Over Australia 's present to future Farmlands that will not grow food maybe ever again, so you can What ?! Claim cheap energy ? Oh.....How Do You Get Away with It I Need to Know.

I need you All Out Now of gov.au. Now. You Horrible Awful Ignorant people who Control whose Lands, whose - 80 countries you Harm and Cause Loss To, Hey gov.au-multinationals-global. Yeah You. How Dare You, Ignorant, uncaring, and a Threat to Our Environment All On Country Environment, Planetary. Yes.

God Is In The Land and Is.

How Dare You bring more more more Toxic yes Toxic Solar Panels to our Nation's Lands, Australia.

How Dare You Toxify other people's Nations.

It's about time we Cleaned up our act isn't it gov.au. and went Free Energy Tesla Way, Hey. DC too, not ACDC, which has Destroyed the world Created by Almighty.

What are you Doing in my Nation and Other People's Nations, you Cause Harm and Loss to in 2024 into when please ? When will you Cease Toxic Culture on Lands we Feed From , for God's Sake.

Who are you people, fully supporting Agenda Renewables ? I Demand an Immediate Moratorium on Solar farms.

Object to yet another Solar Farm on Farmlands, this time in Precious Casino country, Wetlands NB. Wetlands. Yes, Wetlands.

Anyway I Vehemently Object to Richmond Valley Solar Farm offered by ARK Energy. How are they still operating in the Planet Earth please ? Everyone knows their history Hey. How come you don't, gov.au-multinationals-global, Complicit in Crimes Against Humanity and Environment All On Country Environment that Include Catchments, Catchments, Catchments, in a Land named Australia and and and in other Nations eg, a Communist Nation, yeah.

How Do You Get Away With It I'd like to know. I Demand a Royal Commission into gov.au, and it's Association with a Communist Nation, Making the Solar panels on Whose Lands please, please, please.

Please see uploaded submission PDF. Thank you.

Dear Cameron
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the exhibition of the Richmond Valley Solar Farm (project SSD-41020244) application documents. Henribark Pty Ltd is the immediate northern neighbour to the project (Lots 50 and 51, DP755706) and fully supports the development proceeding, mindful of the matters that we have included later in this response (as attached). We support the development of renewable energy projects recognising that there are imperatives both in terms of environmental harm reduction and establishment of sufficient generating capacity to address the reductions as fossil-fuelled plants reach (or exceed) their operational lifespans. We also note that we have not been identified in the mapping as a ‘private receptor’, only as we have no permanent residence on the property, which we believe the department should allow consideration for.
As an ecologist accredited under both the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme (until September 2024 when I will be letting it lapse) and the Accounting for Nature process, I have paid close attention to the environmental impacts of this project and the effect it may have on both the local environment and more broadly. As a declaration, we advise that the property mentioned above is also the site for the Ermelo Biodiversity Stewardship (BA449), which generates biodiversity credits to offset the impacts of developments. We have held this site since 2017 – predating the current project’s scoping and assessment phases. As the purpose of our site is to provide for offsets to development impacts, we identify that there is a clear commercial / financial interest in our response. However, I also respond as a person who has a multi-decadal relationship with the region to bring my observations and response to this development. In the late 1990s I developed the Clarence Regional Vegetation Plan with NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation in Grafton.
I also declare that I have been an occasional correspondent with the project managers that have shepherded this project to this point. In that correspondence I have previously declared my interest in being a supplier for the biodiversity offsets the project will be requiring.
We look forward to the outcomes of the exhibition phase and assisting the developer in their forward plans.
Yours sincerely
Greg Steenbeeke BSc (Hons) Dip.Ed. MEnvMgt MEIANZ

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed development of the Richmond Valley Solar Farm. My concerns are based on the following points:

Irreversible Destruction of R1 Land: The construction of a large-scale solar farm on R1 land will lead to irreversible destruction of valuable agricultural land, which is essential for local food production and the economy.
Loss of Habitat and Biodiversity: The flat clearing of category 2 regulated land to make way for transmission lines will result in significant loss of habitat and biodiversity. This area is home to various species that will be adversely affected by such large-scale clearing.
Economic Impact: The $1.2 billion project is likely to drive up energy prices further, placing additional financial strain on residents and businesses in the region.
Community Division and Mental Health: The project has the potential to cause division within the community and exacerbate mental health challenges for residents, as they cope with the changes and disruptions brought about by the development.
Misinformation in Reports: There are copious amounts of misinformation within the reports provided by the developers, which undermines the transparency and trust required for such a significant project.
Soil Limitations: The soil in the proposed area has severe limitations and cannot withstand high-impact activities. This could lead to long-term degradation of the land.
Increased Noise: The construction, operation, and decommissioning phases of the project will result in increased noise levels, disrupting the peace and quiet of the local area.
Traffic Concerns: There will be increased traffic around bus stops and the local area, posing safety risks, especially for children and the elderly.
Wildlife Road Strikes: The construction phase is likely to lead to increased incidences of wildlife road strikes, further endangering local fauna.
Pressure on Local Services: The project will put upward pressure on already strained local services, including healthcare and housing.
Reduced Growth Potential: The development will reduce the growth potential of the Ellangowan area, limiting future opportunities for residents and businesses.
Disruption of Habitat Connectivity: The project will disrupt habitat connectivity, which is crucial for the movement and survival of wildlife species.
Visual Impact: The installation of security fencing and 730,000 panels will create a visually unappealing environment, altering the sense of space for residents.
Increased Theft Risk: The presence of valuable equipment may lead to an increase in theft in the area.
Land Destruction: The construction of 118 inverter pads, BESS setup, substation, and underground cable trenches will cause significant land destruction, which appears to be under-mitigated.
Waterway Contamination: The use of large amounts of herbicides on the development footprint poses a risk of contaminating local waterways.
Flood Risk: The creation of compacted internal roads could lead to increased flood levels in the area.
Steel Posts Installation: Driving large amounts of steel posts into the land will cause further environmental disruption.
Bushfire Risks: The project increases the risk of bushfires, which is a significant concern for the local community.
Accommodation Stress: The influx of workers and associated activities will place additional stress on local accommodation, which is already limited.
Loss of Productive Land: The project will take up a large amount of valuable productive land for an extended period, impacting local agriculture.
Heat Island Effect: The large-scale installation of solar panels could create a heat island effect, altering local climate conditions.
In conclusion, the proposed Richmond Valley Solar Farm poses numerous risks and challenges that outweigh its potential benefits. I urge the decision-makers to reconsider this project and explore alternative solutions that do not compromise the environment, community well-being, and local economy.

Because of the misinformation in the reports, I believe the community deserves to put forward their information and a public hearing be held.

Thank you for considering my submission.

I am writing to object to the proposed development of Richmond Valley Solar Farm

Reasons for Objection

· Impact on Local Environment:
The proposed site hosts a variety of flora and fauna, including several threatened species. The construction and operation of the solar farm would disrupt these habitats, leading to a loss of valuable biodiversity for our area

· Visual Impact:
The installation of solar panels and related infrastructure would significantly change the landscape, diminishing the area’s visual appeal. This alteration would negatively impact our sense of space and reduce the enjoyment of the countryside for both residents and visitors

· Social Economy Impact
The influx of workers from this project would strain the number of available doctors further for our region. Our region already has very significant wait times for most medical terms


· Alternative Locations:
There must be more suitable locations for a solar farm that do not impact agricultural land or local wildlife. It is important to thoroughly explore these alternatives before proceeding with the current proposal. This proposed development will fragment habitats and the 30m biodiversity corridor is vastly inadequate. Proximity to transmission lines should not be the deciding factor here



· Agricultural Land Use:
The land designated for the solar farm is currently used for agriculture. Converting this land to a solar farm would reduce the availability of fertile land for food, cropping and plantation production, which is crucial for local produce security. This land is also not a suitable location due to the severe limitations it holds for high impact works


· Community Impact:
The local community has expressed concerns about the development, including increased noise during construction and maintenance, as well as the long-term impact on property values. Although it may not exceed appropriate decibel levels, long term low humming operations will be just as troublesome on the community



Further concerns:
· Infrastructure that will be placed on a flood plain; 730,000 solar panels, 118 invertors, large amount of security fencing, large scale BESS and substation which will alter the water course
· High fencing that will obstruct wildlife and human life during bushfire
· Road upgrades need to be further assessed and upgraded to the most northernly boundary point
· We request a base line noise assessment to be done at our residence prior to construction commencing
· We request all water; potable and non-potable is to come from regions of Grafton and casino and not sourced within the locality
· All associated vehicles of the project are to come in via Summerland way
· We request a public hearing for further investigations into misinformation and inaccuracies within the reports being assessed
· We request all hollow bearing trees to be kept as part of future suitability, larger buffers around sensitive areas of the project including vegetation and wetland/creek areas
· All panels to be removed in the physics Creek location
· Where will the power come from to supply the project? Will they be using the domestic lines?
· How many backup generators will be on site when operational?
· Why in the government paperwork that was sent to residence did it state that the BESS will be 500mwh but Ark paperwork states 275mwh
· No volume of remnant bushland should be flat cleared for transmission lines and infrastructure, as it holds valuable habitat for future generations
· Wildlife monitoring for the site or lack thereof was vastly inadequate
· Increases in soil erosion due to inadequate ground cover and shading on soil already prone to water logging, leading to contamination of water ways. Total offsets for the entire project due to shading needs to be considered

I urge the planning committee to consider these points and reject the application for the proposed Richmond Valley Solar Farm. Renewable energy is increasing, but it must be balanced with the need to protect our environment, agricultural land, and community well-being.

*loss of valuable agricultural land
*negative affects on property prices close to the solar farm
*the visual impact of the project
*noise and dust during the construction of the project
*the electro magnetic radiation will have an effect on health and well-being of near by residents
*a high bush fire risk which will have catastrophic consequences if the solar farm burns
*the project is not self sufficient in its water usage (no catchment)
* the project is getting built in a flood zone making its location very unsuitable
* glint and glare from panels to local residents Is not acceptable for a healthy lifestyle
* flora and fauna is under threat, due to the heat the panels provide
* the community is strongly against the solar farm and a public hearing would be an appropriate
* the project is extremely distressing and has huge affects on the community mental health
*
*

I would like to express my objection to Richmond Valley Solar Farm with my reasons being:
. Misguided information on the intentions of the solar farm
. Foreign company taking advantage of government funded scheme to benefit own agenda for Korea zinc to achieve their goal of 100% green zinc mining which means zero power bill covered by we the people of Australia
· Irreversible destruction that would occur by putting a large-scale solar farm on R1 land
· Loss of habitat and biodiversity that would occur by flat clearing category 2 regulated land to make way for transmission lines
· This $1.2 billion dollar project will further drive-up energy prices
· Cause community division and mental health challenges for residents and wider region
· Copious amounts of misinformation within reports
· Very severe limitations on soil that can not with stand high impact
· Increased noise within the area during construction, operation and decommission
· Increased traffic around bus stop and local area
· Increased incidences of wildlife road strike during construction
· Upward pressure on doctors and housing, which is already strained
· Reduced growth potential in the Ellangowan area
· Disrupt habitat connectivity
· Visually unappealing, security fencing and 730,000 panels will cause an unappealing environment
· Change the areas sense of space for residents closely effected
· Potential for increased theft in the area
· Large amounts of land destruction coming from 118 invertor pads, BESS set up, substation and underground cable trenches, all which seem to be under mitigated
· Contamination of waterways from large amounts of herbicides use on development footprint
· Large amounts of compacted internal roads, causing increased flood levels
· Large amount of steel posts being drove into the land
· Increased bushfire risks
· Stress on accommodation in the area
· Taking up a large amount of valuable productive land for an long timeframe
· Heat island effect


What we would like
· All hollow bearing trees to be kept
· Category 2 land to be left and not cleared

· Larger buffers around sensitive areas; wetlands, artifact site, hollow bearing trees and creeks
· A bond for the guarantee that decommission will happen properly
· A public hearing to held for people to have a proper say
· Roads to be maintained more and upgraded further

Stop the green washing! This project will not lower retail electricity prices nor effect the climate. Nor will it be reliable as it is dependent on highly variable weather conditions. This year my electricity cost was already 4.38 times greater than it was in 2019 for exactly the same consumption pattern and number of days. It rose every year despite changing to the lowest cost retail plans five times. Why? Because subsidised projects such as these cannibalise reliable near 24/7 base-load power plants. There are now low emissions high efficiency 24/7 base-load power plants being built around the world to meet emissions, affordability and reliability requirements. The Proponent knows this but is driven by profit regardless of the realties for Australians and the damage it will do to them and our businesses. Shame, shame, shame and shame!

I object to this Electricity Generating Works proposal because I cannot support a project that relies on slave labour to provide its hundreds of thousands of cheap solar panels and Tonnes of large scale toxic batteries to support the unreliable the project will create to electricity supply.

Save Our Surroundings objects to this proposed project as it poses so many risks to the local human and animal populations. Risks still include grass/bush fires, noise, soil and water contamination, very high disposal costs, unclear responsibility for end-of-life cleanup, lack of economic viable recycling of such huge volumes of toxic components, and the risk of obsolescence as much better technologies, such as small nuclear reactors become available over the next few years. Australia's oldest wind electricity plant recently reached its end-of-life and rather than undertake the decommissioning, etc. that it promised, the owner just declared it a museum. How many more wind and solar projects will not meet their EIS commitments, as is happening in other countries? No upfront bond means no skin in the game.

this proposal is taking up viable farm land. And in a area that in the last 5 years has flooded multiple times and had a bushfire in it..I can see no benefit for the local community.the developer has not been able to address the community concerns and have little interest in community consulting .they are only ticking boxes at each forum.and refused to listen to local knowledge from people who survived the bush fire . Richmond valley council are only interested in the financial gain for RVC.

I am writing this submission to express my very strong objection to the proposed development.
Richmond Valley Solar Farm.
Application number SSD-41020244 located at Ellangowan / Myrtle Creek NSW 2470.
I reside in the immediate vicinity of this project and object to it going ahead.
I would like to express my concerns.
1. Bushfire first and foremost as we were right in the middle of the 2019 catastrophic bushfires, and know first hand of the devastation it caused.
The battery storage is backing onto bush land and lithium batteries are known to ignite and are extremely dangerous, which in turn could cause another bushfire.
2. This project is going onto a flood plain which once again we have experienced in 2022 and many times prior to this. Which will alter the flow/depth of water, this can be our only access in or out in emergencies.
3. Desimated habitat with little to no regard. Birds, koalas, coastal emus etc, currently undergoing regeneration since the 2019 bushfires and 2022 floods.
4. The destruction of beautiful farmland which at the moment is lush and green with feed for their grazing cattle to sustain good health, absolutely devastating.
5. The destruction of land by the 500 thousand plus posts going into the ground at approximately 1 and half metres and 52klms of compacted internal roads ruining any chance of regrowth.
6. Herbicides used for controlling growth will be leached into the ground rendering it useless. Also the leaching of the herbicides into waterways where all types animals, birds, etc will drink from.
7. The 2.1 metre high fence around the entire perimeter of the project will hinder animals escape routes in the event of fires and floods.
8. In the report it says that the panels and fencing are the same as looking at any other bush land in surrounding areas, this is definitely NOT true.
9. Lack of knowledge/ respect from ARK ENERGY staff/ officials throughout this whole process. Community consultations have been nothing but unanswered questions and untruths and the lack of understanding for the community.
10. The visual studies/ photos of the site done at our place of residence are not true and accurate as to what we actually see with the naked eye.
11. 118 inverters scattered across the area will have cooling devices that work of a night that you will hear in the dead night.
12. This project will reduce the area’s appeal to community, visitors, and also new residents, hindering the areas/ regions ability to grow.
13. Added already pressure on essential services like doctors, specialists, dentists.
Then accommodation for special events like beef week, primex, etc adds pressure also.
14. Total disrespect for personal/ community mental health and wellbeing has been extremely stressful for all concerned.

All of these points given are valid objectives for our concerns and the community concerns also.

THINGS THAT NEED ADDRESSING
1. We want a public hearing without fail.
2. We want a noise study done at our place of residence so we have a base level to work with.
3. We want new photos of what we see with the naked eye submitted to the visual impact statement ( not what they have submitted because they are very false).
4. We want greater buffers around vegetation is an absolute must.
5. All hollow bearing trees must be kept.
Please take the time and read carefully before making a decision on our communities beautiful farmland that will be ruined for generations to come, and say to yourself “ is this the right thing to do”.
If this project goes ahead we want all vehicles large and small to enter via the Summerland highway, as the roads are not maintained enough, also upgrading the immediate roads to a category 1 so it is maintained on a more regular basis.
We want the road sealed up to the furthest northerly property done, to lessen the dust.
This land is not suitable as soil studies have shown the entire development footprint is shown to have very severe limitations for high impact works, which are not minor as reports suggest.
Thank you for your time
Teresa Newton ( affected resident)
Ellangowan NSW 2470

As an affected resident, I object to the industrial solar project and BESS proposed at 255 & 420 Avenue Road, Myrtle Creek. The site is proposed on 4314 acres (1747 hectares) of prime farming land, with a footprint of 1980 acres (803 hectares). I reside within 1.09km radius, overlooking the industrialisation of farmland, yet I have been classed as ‘low impact’. There has been no evidence provided to me to prove I am low impact. I consider myself to be highly impacted.

No attempt has been provided to show the affect the project will have on our property values. I request a valuation done before the project starts, and compensation for the loss of value in my property if the project goes ahead.

There has been improper and inadequate wildlife monitoring. This needs to be redone.

There has been low to no compensation for devaluation of property or mental anguish suffered.

Deliberately misleading the public to demonstrate "good faith". An example is claiming 20 acres of land was proposed to be used for BESS, has now been reduced to 12 acres after reviewing reports. It was never going to be 20 acres.

Does the land need to be rezoned to industrial for an industrial application? Semi rural farming land being used for industrial application should require more community consultation. We need a public hearing.

State-significant projects bypass consultation between local council and the residents. It caters for a lack of consultation.

Who puts highly flammable BESS in a bushfire zone? Will they be putting a new fire station in also?

What happens to all the panels when the project gets decomissioned? What bond does this company need to pay to assure the land will be returned to its former state?

What are the long term health affects to humans and animals that live alongside these large-scale solar projects?

The roads are not up to standard to cater for the increased traffic that will come from the project. It needs to be upgraded.

The solar project is worth more than my public liability insurance. There needs to be new legislation implemented that prevents these large scale solar projects from claiming damages beyond the scope of the owner's insurance.

Invest in the grid and put the panels in the desert. I object to this solar project.

As an affected resident, I object to the industrial solar project and BESS proposed at 255 & 420 Avenue Road, Myrtle Creek. The site is proposed on 4314 acres (1747 hectares) of prime farming land, with a footprint of 1980 acres (803 hectares). I reside within 1.09km radius, overlooking the industrialisation of farmland, yet I have been classed as ‘low impact’. I am not low impact, and I want to know how this has been determined, as I will see it. I will hear it. I will drive past it. It will decrease my property value. It will increase my insurance premiums. It increases the fire risk in a bushfire zone that I live in. It has potential to harm my children. I am highly impacted.

I reside in this bushfire zone. I suffered property loss during the 2019 bushfire. I have experienced, firsthand, the damage of fire. Flames that are taller than trees, flames capable of licking the roof of a house as it makes a wave over the building, then like a wave, pull back, and attack again. Flames do not obey the mere 10 m boundary proposed. 100 m MAY be an acceptable minimum. Better yet, since there are no trees in the desert, why can’t the solar project and BESS go there?

The bushfire report claims to meet the 2019 Planning for Bushfire protection guidelines. This report was published in November 2019. The bushfire ravaged this area in October 2019. The data in the report has not accounted for the events that occurred a month prior. I have a lot of respect for the NSW fire service, and when they use words like, “unknown risks”, unclear what level of intensity’ and “considered unacceptable” in a report published before taking the 2019 event into account, it concerns me greatly, that this solar project and BESS will increase the risk to my family, our neighbours and our property. I think further investigation into the effects of fire associated with the solar project and BESS in THIS area needs to be done through consultation with LOCALS that defended their properties, and those that lost.

When we are not in drought, the other extreme is flood. The solar project is on flood prone land. The land runs to the Bungawalbyn water catchment. To keep weeds down and fire hazards to a minimum around the solar panels, will they use poison? Will this poison run into the catchment. There are dams in the area. We need the water tested now, and every year thereafter to ensure pollution of our waterways is detected early and stopped. Is there a requirement of Ark to do this? If not, why not? If so, what water source do they need to test? Will they test my dam for contamination?

How much does anyone really know about the health effects of large scale solar projects? Are my children going to be harmed? Will there be a study come out in 5 years time that shows brain tumours and caners linked to EMF exposure on a large scale? The brochure gifted to us about EMF uses guidelines from 2010. They are 14 years old. How many large scale solar projects have been studied since those reports, considering in 2012 there were only 10 large scale solar projects? The report also claims the magnetic field strength for a hair dryer is up to 7 microtesla units. This is considered low-frequency. If I multiplied this low-frequency by 750000 (number of panels) and throw in 118 inverter frequencies, along with 450 battery storage system frequencies, is the end result still low-frequency? Further health studies are required.
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Agricultural farming land will be wasted. This is just one of three projects proposed next to, or within close proximity, to each other. The actual amount of farming land wasted will be much, much more. Land that has previously been used for plantation, and still has remnants of plantation housing bird species, will be cleared to make way for industrialisation. The land currently runs cattle and grows pasture around the plantation. If this is about sustainability, and climate action, why does the plantation need to be removed? How are we going to feed people if we have no farming land to grow food? Why not invest in the sunny, barren desert where it doesn’t burn, flood or use perfectly good farming land?

I would like to know why only one monitoring station was used to monitor for species on 4314 acres. The monitoring station was located amongst cattle, on one side of the property, in a cleared area, near the road. I am not sure I have ever seen the coastal emu flock with cows, but coastal emus run out here. We had a jabiru visit us the other week. How many jabirus, eagles, black cockatoos or any bird for that matter did the monitoring station capture? No trees near it, no water supply near it. But there were cars and cattle to keep them away. How can it be said that one monitoring station on 4314 acres is sufficient, when it is obviously insufficient. The monitoring of species needs to be redone, with a minimum of one monitoring station per 500 acres.

We are a quiet community with dirt roads. Having approximately 327 workers travel this road is going to increase dust and impact the road. It is nice to say that travel will be along Summerland Way, but anyone coming from Lismore wont travel that way. It adds extra time and kilometres. They will travel through Tatham-Ellangowan Road, along Avenue Road. DIRT roads. Council say one thing about sealing the road, Ark say another. Tit for Tat. You can never get a straight answer. And even if the roads are sealed (to the end of the project or all the way to Ellangowan Rd, it will only increase traffic, sightseers and thieves.

Additional security measures and insurance premiums will be likely as insurable incidents are likely to increase if this goes ahead. How will the hospital and accommodation providers cope with the additional imported workers? Will the community fund cover the cost of this and insurance increases? Where will the community fund finances be spent? Evans Head, the gem of the Richmond Valley, doesn’t exactly help Casino business. Are we expected to live with it, suffer from it, while the rest of the community benefits from it?

The decrease in property value and increase to insurance premiums is an issue. Ark energy representatives try to play this one down. They say they have no evidence of decreasing property values or increasing insurance premiums, but they have been unable to show us an area of comparison. We have requested that our properties be valued before and after the project. Ark has not done this. This should not be an expense of the landowner, nor should the landowner suffer financial loss because of the solar project and BESS system. We should be compensated for this. There needs to be a public hearing.

Compensation should be compulsory. Not a gag order up for negotiation. It should be a minimum amount paid to all affected landholders, not just ones that get offered a Good Neighbour Agreement to shut them up and stop questioning the project. Mental anguish needs to be taken into account as well. This project has been affecting our lives since 2021. For three years we have said no, and for three years they keep lying to us. Telling us things they think we want to hear. Offering crap agreements to silence the questioning. Say one thing, do another. At the very start of discussions, Ark was specifically asked how big the battery storage system was and we were told “it is small. only the size of a small shipping container’. Then Ark are awarded the tender for the largest BESS in the country, that they can be compensated for if the project doesn’t go ahead? Does that make it a favourable outcome for Ark, regardless of community concerns? Lies and deceit from the very beginning. How is anyone meant to believe a single thing about this project. Integrity? Full disclosure anyone? It all seems to be missing.

If solar projects and battery storage systems are truly meant to help the climate, and help Australians pay less for electricity, and have better access and supply, why is it privatised? Why isn’t it in the desert? Why are we destroying land and clearing trees. Why is a foreign owned zinc company reaping financial rewards and not Australians?

I do not want the solar project or BESS to go ahead here. I am opposed to it. I feel the desert is a more desirable location for this project.

I object to the proposed 803 hectare solar farm being built in the Richmond Valley. I object to the ridiculous notion that renewable energy is the future. This area in the northern rivers needs to be kept for our farms and wildlife. The negative impacts on the area are too long to list! This government needs to look at other alternatives for energy supply in our future. The cost of building and maintaining these solar farms hugely outweighs any benefit!!
I object totally to this project!

If our government was fair dinkum about sticking to the Paris Agreement, then they'd simply stop selling our coal/resources to countries who are going full steam ahead burning them, building coal fired power stations. The situation as it stands is nothing more than a money making venture for off shore/overseas companies, whilst the poor Aussie battler is taken for a ride.
Not renewable, not beneficial, not cheap, not safe, and certainly not honorable. AND definitely NOT helping the climate in any way! Australia as it is contributes somewhere between 1 -2% of global CO2 emissions. Yet we are selling to and buying back from countries with complete disregard for the environment. Until we stop supporting them with our resources which are needed to build this project we are no better than they are!!! Taking thousands of hectares of prime agricultural land that feeds our country, to put money in the pockets of a few is not what Australia was built on. We used to look out for our neighbour. Now these overseas money hungry so called "renewable" companies are pitting neighbour against neighbour, to get their own way! It's disgraceful.

Not recyclable and NOT RENEWABLE. A solar panel doe not replace nor renew itself. They are a huge demand on our resources to make and a huge cost to our society to import and an enormous cost to the next generation to get rid of!! A huge cost to our agricultural industry as they are not and can not be farmed underneath. GOOD LUCK finding your next meal

it's a no brainer to object to this project due to its enormous development al footprint of approximately 955 hectares of prime agricultural land. Farm land is for feeding and clothing the nation.

NEFA objects to the project in the form provided and considers it needs to incorporate significant fauna corridors