Skip to main content

State Significant Development

Response to Submissions

Sandy Creek Solar Farm

Warrumbungle Shire

Current Status: Response to Submissions

Interact with the stages for their names

  1. SEARs
  2. Prepare EIS
  3. Exhibition
  4. Collate Submissions
  5. Response to Submissions
  6. Assessment
  7. Recommendation
  8. Determination

Development of a 750 MW solar farm and associated infrastructure.

Attachments & Resources

Notice of Exhibition (1)

Request for SEARs (2)

SEARs (2)

EIS (16)

Response to Submissions (1)

Agency Advice (12)

Submissions

Filters
Showing 1 - 20 of 131 submissions
Emma Bowman
Object
DUNEDOO , New South Wales
Message
Please find objection attached.
Attachments
Pamela Oneill
Object
BARHAM , New South Wales
Message
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to strongly oppose the solar development in Sandy creek area on behalf of our community’s well-being. Our area is built on a sense of peace, unity, and a deep connection to our natural surroundings. The introduction of large scale solar would not only disrupt the physical landscape but also the social fabric of our community.
The stress and division caused by such a large-scale development would be detrimental to our quality of life. We cherish our town’s tranquility and natural beauty, and I urge you to protect our community by rejecting this proposal.
Yours faithfully,
Name Withheld
Object
ELONG ELONG , New South Wales
Message
A few points to consider;
1. Power should be generated where it is to be used. Why must we look at this in our backyard to keep the lights on in Sydney? Farming is multi-generational our kids and grandkids will be dealing with this, is it really a legacy we want to leave?!
Couldn't turbines be put off the coast Sydney to generate the power needed? Or would this too offensive to look at?
2. The cumulative impact of the projects in the Central West needs to be considered! How will the community of Dunedoo benefit from this project and all of the other projects within the 25km radius of the town? When the Warrumbungle Shire Council has such a good track record of making decisions and managing projects i.e. Dunedoo Retirement Village! Guidelines need to be put in place, so our communities thrive!
3. Renewable energy and having energy efficient homes all the way! but surely with the way technology is, there is a better solution then taking our farming land! They don't make more land so we need to use it wisely!
4. Grass will not be let grow past a certain height under solar panels due to fire risk, fertiliser input will be drastically reduced, or even cut out completely meaning less grass grown, leading to reduced carbon levels in the soil.
Cutting down dozens of 200+yr old trees (this project alone!) and replacing with solar panels all to meet net zero targets seems counter productive?!
Why the rush??!! Let's be practical and make better decisions for our kids!
Henry Armstrong
Object
Birriwa , New South Wales
Message
Hello,

Please find my submission attached.

Regards
Henry Armstrong.
Attachments
S Armstrong
Object
Birriwa , New South Wales
Message
Please find my submission attached.
Attachments
Jarrah Hare
Object
Moulamein , New South Wales
Message
The Planner,
Are I drive around I see Solar Installed everywhere.
I wonder weather this will help my parents pay the bill because the electricity is so dear. It seem that it has increased when Solar it out all over the place. I think it is the reason power is expensive because while to sun is down absolutely nothing happens , seems silly
Thanks Jarrah
Name Withheld
Object
Harefield , New South Wales
Message
Sandy Creek Solar & BESS is a despicable, diabolical plan designed to rip-off the Australian public with CONtrolling Energy Poverty & a massive Land Grab designed to reduce our limited, irreplaceable FOOD growing land - entombing it in Toxic PV forever - contaminating our healthy soil & water - wrecking our children’s future & making Australia weak - beholden to the CCP - our most hostile enemy!
Name Withheld
Object
LAKE ALBERT , New South Wales
Message
I DO NOT CONSENT to our Public Funds being wasted by stupid idiots, socialist zealots & greedy Vested Interests on such Filthy, Toxic, Pathetic, Fake Green, Incapable, Weather Dependent, Intermittent RenewaBULL JUNK like this illogical, FIRE HAZARDOUS, TOXIC CONTAMINATING & useless, CCP reliant, Uyghur slave labour based, ECOCIDAL, Industrialised Sandy Creek Solar + BESS disaster.

AUSTRALIA’S ENERGY SECURITY - FOOD SECURITY - PRODUCTIVITY - ECONOMIC PROSPERITY & NATIONAL SECURITY NECESSITATES INDEPENDENT, RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE, EFFICIENT, PLENTIFUL, SECURE, 24/7 AUSTRALIAN COAL, GAS & A CLEAN, SAFE NUCLEAR POWER FUTURE WITH MINIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT - NO INTERCONNECTOR NIGHTMARE NEEDED!!
Name Withheld
Comment
ELONG ELONG , New South Wales
Message
I have some concerns/queries we would like to see resolved before the project goes any further;
1. Noxious weeds - weeds to be sprayed under the panels and around the boundaries of the project, so they do not blow into, spread and infest neighbouring properties.
2. Public Liability - we would like to see something put in place regarding public liability and the expectations of landholders around the project. A guarantee $20 million public liability cover is sufficient and we will not be held accountable for more than this value. We would also like to see clear, straight forward set guidelines in regards to the surrounding landholders wanting to burn country to avoid negligence i.e width of fire break, maximum wind speed.
Name Withheld
Object
ELONG ELONG , New South Wales
Message
My objections are as follows:
• The amount of water that will be drawn from underground bores is quite significant. The use of the majority of this valuable resource in the future of this project will be for dust suppression and the washing of machinery and panels. This is just one project in the area, multiply by the other 5 projects within 3km of the project the prospect of the underground aquifer being severely affected is magnified greatly. The value of the underground water for local landholders for stock and domestic use is undisputed.
• The use of Level 3 Soil Capability for Solar Production of which there is 957ha affected by this Project. This area has traditionally produced quantities of quality grain and meat. The argument for grazing under panels is a straw one – it may suit some areas, but the majority of solar projects are not suitable for this practice and it has been proven that Energy Companies find that this practice is “too hard”, preferring to use Chemicals to control growth.
• The impact of the workforce accommodation from the proposed septic and rubble drain system upon the Talbragar River due to waste infiltration and overflow along the Creek system which flows directly into the Talbragar. The construction phase will also create erosion and runoff that will affect the River. This will have negative impacts on the landholders further downstream that rely on this for stock water, creating problems with water quality and algae concerns. This river also has an increasing population of Murray Cod that are only now recovering from many years of drought, pest species and bank erosion. Many landholders along the Talbragar have participated in river bank and riparian repair over the last 10-15 years.
• Lack of community Consultation – as with many of the Projects within this area the affected landholders are the last to be informed. The process of “Decide, Announce, Defend” that has characterized all of these projects leaves the community presented with a fait accompli.
• It is a grave future for the other landholders within these zones as they have to face the future of dwindling land values and the prospects of living within a “modern day power station”. The industrialization of our landscape is not a small matter.

The number and amount of Projects proposed already within the Orana Central West REZ area amount to more than 1.5 times the proposed GW power generation within the legislation, and there even more to be proposed and considered. This race to renewables should be halted until a complete assessment of the effects of the projects in the REZ are calculated and the social cost is thoroughly examined.
Save Our Surroundings Riverina
Object
Lake Albert , New South Wales
Message
Sandy Creek Solar Electricity Generating Works + BESS is a totally objectional, parasitic, Environmentally Destructive, life threatening Fire Risk that is useless, weather dependent & a toxic contamination disaster - against the best interests of Australia.
Name Withheld
Object
KOORINGAL , New South Wales
Message
Ugly Industrialised Solar Electricity Generating Works & Battery Energy Storage hazards will NEVER provide reliable, affordable Australian power which is an essential service for the people of NSW.
Depending on the weather means they are flaky, a very silly idea & DON’T WORK most of the time.
This toxic contaminating plan DOES NOT belong on essential, irreplaceable Food growing land at all as irreversible environmental harm will inevitably occur & our children’s Energy Security & Food Security future will be ruined forever.
Harry Armstrong
Object
Dunedoo , New South Wales
Message
Hello, my name is Harry Armstrong, one of my friends' lives near this proposed solar development. If this goes ahead, I think he might leave the district as they are so impacted, this is just another family in our community that are questioning how they can stay. I want to be a grazier in my future. This is another case of a solar development removing land from the agricultural industry within our community and limiting my opportunity to get into the industry in the future. Please consider my objection, thank you.
Name Withheld
Object
DUNEDOO , New South Wales
Message
I strongly object to the Sandy Creek Solar Farm.
We should not be turning agricultural land into industrial solar factories. The cumulative impacts from this project and the many other proposed projects for our area are significant. It will put pressure on all of our already struggling resources. There will be families that leave town and we only need a handful of families to leave to directly affect our schools and community run sports and social clubs. We have limited medical facilities and limited policing. Our roads are not designed for the amount of traffic that we will experience.
The consultation with neighbouring landowners has been very poor. They have repeatedly raised concerns and these concerns have not been addressed. A major issue for neighbouring landholders is public liability insurance, they can not get the level of cover required to protect themselves against being held liable for damage caused to billion-dollar assets on their doorsteps.
It is going to be extremely difficult to find workers for the agricultural industry, we can not compete with the salaries offered by private investment companies.
I struggle to find any benefits for our local community.
Kaylem Hartley
Object
Swan Hill , Victoria
Message
Dear Planning Committee,
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed solar project in Sandy Creek due to concerns about waste and decommissioning. Solar panels have a limited lifespan, and the decommissioning process generates a significant amount of waste, including non-recyclable composite materials used in the panels.
The disposal of these materials poses a serious environmental challenge.
Additionally, the potential for hazardous substances, such as Heavy metals and glass, to contaminate the environment during decommissioning is high.
I urge you to consider these long-term environmental impacts and reject this development.
Sincerely
Kaylem Hartley
Marnie Roberts
Object
ELONG ELONG , New South Wales
Message
Please find attached my objection to the Sandy Creek Solar Farm
Attachments
Name Withheld
Object
GULGONG , New South Wales
Message
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!
Name Withheld
Object
GULGONG , New South Wales
Message
I oppose this project because it is very unlikely that the decommissioning, removal and land rehabilitation will occur due to the exorbitant cost that will be involved. The cost in 20 years or so time will likely exceed today's cost to build the project. Unlike mining companies there is no requirement for this developer to lodge a bond to cover this future cost. Who will ultimately pay? The new owner of the plant, the host landholders, the local ratepayers or the State and/or Federal governments. The project must not be approved unless such a bond is in place.
Save Our Surroundings (SOS)
Object
Gulgong , New South Wales
Message
SOS Objections to Sandy Creek Solar Works & BESS
Save Our Surroundings (SOS) objects to the proposed solar works project as is not "fit for purpose". It will not reduce electricity costs to consumers, as evidenced by not only the huge frequent increases in Australian NEM prices to date, but also the experience in every country where wind and solar are 30% or more of the capacity mix. Sweden recently dropped its target of 100% renewables as wind and solar generation do not work (unreliable and intermittent). Instead Sweden is to build more zero emissions nuclear plants, as other countries are doing. Australia must do the same! The project must therefore be rejected.
Save Our Surroundings (SOS) objects to the proposed BESS Works in this project because there are still so many unresolved concerns about risks and issues involved with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), for instance:
1. Lack of research into the life-cycle of BESS
2. Resource intensive requirements
3. Involves slavery in mining and production
4. Environmentally damaging
5. Fire starting risks increased
6. Fire-fighting dangers increased
7. Local fire risks considerably increased
8. Expensive
9. Short life-span
10. Variable operation
11. Very little Australian content
12. Increased energy and sovereign risks
13. Roads and road travel are impacted
14. Electricity charging and air-conditioning requirements are high
15. Classed as hazardous goods
16. No certainty at end of the short life of a BESS
17. Increased dependency on intermittent electricity generation
18. Poor viability
19. Increase retail electricity prices.
Uarbry Tongy Lane Alliance Inc
Object
Coolah , New South Wales
Message
Sandy Creek Solar Farm will contribute to irreversible environmental damage to agricultural land. It is highly likely that this land will never return to full agricultural production given the inability and likely unwillingness to remove all cabling and cement from the land at the decommissioning stage. It is expected that the solar panels will leach contaminants over the life of the project rendering the soil useless for further agricultural production. How will soil be decontaminated at the end of the project? What decommissioning bond is in place to ensure the project is returned to its present state at the end of the project.

The proponent statement that sheep will be grazed amongst the solar panels during the operation of the project is not quantified nor believable. How many sheep? How will the sheep be managed for timely health issues such as flystrike? How will the proponent prevent the sheep from being scalped by the panel turning mechanism? Will mustering of the sheep be restricted to the middle of the day when panels are horizontal? Will the sheep be grazed amongst the panels for restricted periods? How will the proponent prevent any contamination from the gradual breakdown of the panels from impacting on the sheep/wool/meat? All the statements by the proponent regarding future sheep grazing are vague, eg the land could be utilized for some agricultural practices. Does this mean that the proponent can talk about sheep grazing but actually never do this? It is noted that the proponent quotes Tony Inder, perhaps this same source can detail publicly the number of sheep that were scalped in the Wellington project and the fact that the sheep could only be mustered in the middle of the day when the panels were flat. Not good animal welfare practice to muster sheep in the middle of a hot Summer day.

The proponent states that the project will operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. By operate what does this mean? There is no solar at night, there is no solar on cloudy days and there is little solar during many days in Winter months. At what temperature during Summer is it too hot for the solar panels to operate efficiently? How many times will this project be instructed to stop exporting to the grid (when there is too much solar in the national grid in the middle of sunny days)? What is the operator being paid when the project is not able to contribute solar to the grid?

This project permanently removes 696.9 ha of cropping country from agricultural production, this is just one project in the CWO REZ that is permanently removing cropping country from agricultural production. The cumulative impact is unacceptable, cropping country is finite and this project and the other 53 projects in the REZ all contribute to the decline in agricultural land available for cropping in NSW.

Where will the damaged solar panels be disposed? What fire fighting team is the proponent/operator going to call on in the case of a bush fire or internal fire? What will be the cost of insurance for neighbours of this project?

The current transport team for Stubbo Solar crashed 3 B-Double loads of solar panels on the Golden Highway in a 6 week period. What procedure is in place to clean up future crash sites involving broken solar panels? What procedure is in place to ensure that transport providers are appropriately vetted before being awarded any transport contract for the project? Will the proponent ensure that transport providers can actually drive safely and the transport operator is bone fide and not currently under investigation by ASIC, or the like.

Will the proponent be able to demonstrate that the solar panels have not been produced using slave labour?

Pagination

Project Details

Application Number
SSD-41287735
Assessment Type
State Significant Development
Development Type
Electricity Generation - Solar
Local Government Areas
Warrumbungle Shire

Contact Planner

Name
Cameron Ashe