Springdale Solar Farm

I am a family friend of family's both benefiting and disadvantaged by the
proposed solar farm; and so I do not naturally fall to one side of the
debate. However, it astounds me that an area so thickly coated in fog
most mornings would be chosen as a proposed solar farm. Sutton is also
my home- I have been a part of this beautiful community my entire
life. COMMUNITY is what defines us. This solar farm will destroy our
community and will destroy the livelihoods of many family's that
reside in it. When there are at least three other areas that have been
identified within NSW that will have significantly lesser negative
impact, I ask that you please consider the affect on the majority of
farming family's in our tight knit community- with the threat of
drought already pushing many family's to the edge, the successful
proposal of this solar farm will undoubtedly have catastrophic
effects. We are already dealing with a national crisis when it comes
to our farmers mental health- please do not allow Sutton to become a
part of another devastating statistic. We need to support our farmers,
not be putting more worry on their already heavily weighted shoulders.
I conclude with this; why should one family, quite obviously motivated
by money, be given this advantage when so many family's around them
will experience significant loss?

I would've thought a healthy cross border relationship would have some
give and take. Instead the ACT wants to acquire prime land for a solar
farm that will impact a great number of NSW residents. NSW residents
who can't even get their kids into an ACT school that suits their
child's needs.

I am very much in favour of the Sutton solar farm. It is vital that these
kinds of projects are supported if we are to have a sustainable energy
supply into the future, and the proposed farm is appropriately sited
and planned. I have been particularly impressed with the level of
detail in the plan regarding planting and remediation measures, and
the consultation with the community by Renew has been of a high
standard.

There also seems to be little substance to the opposition to the plan,
and the various arguments are easily countered: it is not placed on
'prime farming land' - it is actually scrubby acreage unsuitable and
not used for either cropping or grazing; the noise will only be
present during the construction phase; and the visual impact will be
minimal.

I hope it goes ahead.

7 August 2018

Planning Services
Department of Planning and Environment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

Attention: Director - Resources and Energy Assessment

Dear Director

Re: Objection Submission To Proposed Springdale Solar Development

I recently attended a gathering and listened to an Australian former
Prime Minister speak earnestly and at some length about the utmost
importance of current governments expanding upon and certainly not
undoing the work of past governments - no matter the political
persuasion. He was reinforcing the need for government to establish
reliable and trustworthy guidelines for the benefit of all Australian
citizens.

I relay this information because I believe the proposed Springdale
Solar Farm is itself a classic contradiction of all planning
management of the general site area during the past forty five years.
After the early years of struggle in pioneering times and two world
wars the first hint of primary production prosperity emerged in the
early 1950's wool boom, and for many years thereafter and through to
current times. In all of this endeavour and reward the general Yass
region has played a significant part in planning and productivity and
the accompanying aspect of highlighting scenic agricultural properties
featuring the landscape beauty of the Southern Tablelands for both
visitors and residents alike.

The rapidly growing new capital city of Canberra emerged as an idyllic
city in which to live both in an urban situation and alternatively in
very close proximity on a rural and/or rural residential acreage. The
early 1970's witnessed the beginning of a rapid expansion into
neighbouring New South Wales with ex Canberra based families
establishing lifestyle homes on two acres to forty acres. More
ambitious rural projects were established by the Canberra based
workforce on 200 acres and larger. History now shows that the
productivity of these properties actually increased due to intensive
methods and higher capital input.

No hand was raised by either local or state government to cease this
fringe development and, generally speaking, the development was
encouraged by administration. And so the fringe rural population
surrounding Canberra has grown and grown - values have kept pace with
the reliable Canberra upward trending property market and families
have enjoyed the idyllic lifestyle they craved in the scenic
tablelands countryside. And in a proximity to their urban workplace,
education and amenity that is unmatched elsewhere in Australia.

And now the same authorities that have overseen this forty five year
development pattern are vested with the power of enacting a travesty
of trust by giving serious consideration to a development proposal
that flies in the face of what an ordinary person would ever have
contemplated being considered in such a location.

No doubt we all have the responsibility of supporting alternate energy
generation and ensuring its promotion. But surely highest and best use
of geographic sites is first and foremost. It is beyond my imagination
that the proposed site as solar generation use is its highest and best
use. And the undoubted affect on neighbouring and general area
property values - what study has been commissioned in that regard? And
what method of compensation is proposed in that regard? And who will
determine?

From a technical perspective it is my understanding that electricity
is able to be diverted to different destinations of usage need at the
flick of a switch. And that distance is not a major factor. Why is it
then necessary to even contemplate positioning an industrial energy
generation facility in this heavily populated rural zone with its half
century history of residential occupancy encouragement and
establishment? There are without doubt low population sites adjacent
suitable electricity carrier lines that would meet selection criteria
and welcome a solar industrial installation of the mammoth size
proposed. It is also my understanding that government has identified
such sites and that Sutton is not one of them.

I thank you for the opportunity of strongly opposing the proposed
Springdale Solar Development proposal and join the chorus of support
in respectfully asking that you reject the application on the basis of
sound and reliable governance and in fairness to the wider community
and their good faith in your past near half century of government
policy planning guidelines for the subject area.

Yours Sincerely


Allan Golding
"Goodavale"
2751 Barton Highway
JEIR NSW 2582
Ph 0418 722500

While I fully believe in renewable energy, this is the wrong location,
the farmland is vital to the farming community and the landscape will
be altered permanently.
The construction will be dangerous and take place on roads that cannot
support the proposed traffic.
When we moved here 3 years ago it was an investment in our future that
is now threatened by the greed of an individual the property values
will fall as the surrounding views will be obstructed and the chaos on
the roads are not an asset when selling.
We have a young daughter on her Ps who does shift work and
consequently travels a lot at all hours, her safety is now compromised
having to negotiate these unpaved dirt roads in competition with large
trucks driven by people focused on getting it done on time.
The proposed screening will never screen the development for us as we
are elevated above the proposed site.

Dear Director,

I write to express my concern over the proposed location and other
aspects of the Springdale Solar Farm development.

This area is not in a renewable energy zone identified by the NSW
Government, and does not meet the suitability criteria or guidelines
for large scale solar development.

A solar farm in this location will have a profoundly negative ongoing
and daily impact on all residents in the area, for a number of
reasons:

1. it is highly visible from multiple directions and no screening
currently exists to mitigate that
2. the existing roads in the area are unsuitable for the high number
of heavy vehicle movements that will result if the proposal goes ahead
3. it will negatively affect property values as well as usage of
surrounding land (via impact on soil functioning, weed proliferation,
water flows, etc), impacting landowners who rely on income from
agricultural activities.

The proposal's environmental impact statement also omitted several
critical points:

1. there are a number of critically endangered and threatened species
in the area which will be affected
2. Mulligan's Flat Reserve is within 5km of the project area,
information which was specifically requested by the Dept of
Environment and Energy and which the submission failed to answer
3. the proposed location is within the Greater Goorooyarroo area

Finally, the NSW Dept of Environment, the Yass Valley Council and the
ACT Government all support the existing 5km exclusion zone to retain
the rural character of the region, AND want this land to exclude
intensive development. Surely an 850 acre solar facility is an
intensive use of land?

There are many more points I could add to illustrate the unsuitability
of the proposed site, but I would put it to you that the points listed
here are sufficient to reach the conclusion that there are other more
suitable locations in NSW for a large scale solar array to be situated
- as already identified by the NSW Government.

I appreciate your consideration of my submission.

Regards

Kirsty Bouttell

The reason for my objection is the proposed location of the 850 acre
Springdale Solar Farm. This area is zoned by Yass Council as rural
residential, It is productive prime agricultural land why would you
let Springdale turn it into something that looks like an industrial
estate. The area is surrounded by families who's lives would be ruined
by the visual impact of the black solar panels.
No amount of newly planted trees would help hide the panels.
The area is prone to flooding and not just the 100 year flood. There
has been serious flooding over the last ten years. The construction of
the site would see 75 large trucks and 400 light vehicles go through
the little village of Sutton and along very narrow roads some unsealed
daily. Sutton has a primary school with nearly 300 students and a Day
Care Centre. Some children walk or ride their bikes to school, others
wait on the roadside for the school bus. As there are no pavements the
children will share the road with the trucks and light vehicles a very
big safety hazard.
The government has already sighted three areas in NSW suitable for
solar farms, Armidale, Dubbo, and Hay. Why can't Springdale put their
farm there.?
I am not against renewable energy, but I think a lot more
consideration should be given when choosing a location fo:r a solar
farm on the impact it will have on families, communities, the
environment, wildlife and heritage.

To the planning team,
I am a long term resident of the Sutton/ Gundaroo area having lived in
the area for almost 20 years. Each weekday I travel between Gundaroo
and the ACT, going through the Sutton area to get to work. I am
writing this submission because I strongly object to the proposed
Springdale Solar Development.
Solar energy of course is an excellent renewable energy source however
there are a number of reasons why I believe the Sprindale Solar
Development is the wrong project for the Sutton area,
1. Land values.
Land values in the neighbouring farms (and in the general area) will
be negatively affected as this industrial level project will be
visible from the properties on the surrounding elevated land. Most
farms here are small scale farms and/ or lifestyle blocks and are high
value properties being so close to the ACT. It is unreasonable for the
people and families on these properties to be so adversely affected by
this project. I can only imagine the stress it has created on people
who I am sure just want to be left alone to live quietly in their
country homes.
2. Roads.
I do have concerns about the increased traffic on the Mulligans Flat
road and the Tallagandra road. I travel these roads 5 times each week.
They are very narrow, with poor surfaces and a stretch of Mulligans
Flat road is still dirt. The Tallagandra road linking the area to the
highway is also narrow with a very awkward intersection where it joins
the Sutton/Gundaroo road. How are these roads going to cope with an
increase in traffic flow with potentially heavy vehicles and trucks.
The road infrastructure for this project is very inadequate.
3. Biodiversity.
The proximity to the Mulligans Flat nature reserve is another concern.
Areas around the reserve, like the Springdale site serve as wildlife
corridors so birds and animals can access diverse habitats, breeding
and feeding grounds. The disruption to these wildlife corridors by a
large scale project such as Springdale will negatively impact this
flow of nature.
I am very much in favour of renewable energy but in this instance,
with the Springdale proposal there are too many negative and
detrimental aspects when all is considered.
Kind regards.

I wish to remain anonymous: YES

Springdale Solar EIS - Proposal number 8703

I OBJECT to the Springdale Solar development.

My reasons for objection are as follows:
Proposed location is too close to a major city and the village of
Sutton.

The impact assessment on the solar farm is flawed on several grounds.
1. The solar farm is not suited to the area. It is located in the
peri-urban area just to the north of Canberra where the best use of
land is for small lifestyle properties where the amenity of enjoying
space, having a horse or whatever in a rural setting is more valuable.
The price someone is willing to pay for the solar farm does not
reflect the loss in value for surrounding properties who lose amenity
and hence value.
2. A better use of the land is as rural residential where a greater
density of people would enable towns like Sutton to thrive and be able
to continue to provide community services like schools and post
offices and bakeries etc. The biggest factor behind the decline of
rural towns is lack of population growth. How many homes (say with 2.5
ha) could be built (even with panels on their roof) on the solar farm
area instead? It would do far more for the local community if used for
rural residential purposes.
3. Relate to the above, the area to the north of the ACT border (that
embraces the proposed solar farm), is foreshadowed for zoning review
by the Yass Valley Council in their current strategy document. The
area is zoned RU1 now and the decision is to make it RU6, but what
exactly is to be allowed or disallowed in RU6 has yet to be
determined. This cannot happen without some vision for the affected
area being determined first in consultation with all stakeholders. A
decision to allow the solar farm would pre-empt this decision on the
most appropriate land use for the area. The above vision for the area
and zoning criteria in RU6 needs to be settled first!
4. The solar farm does not make economic sense on a national basis and
will only drive electricity prices higher. The reason, as desirable as
renewable energy is for greenhouse gas reduction, is it ruins the
market for reliable producers of electricity which in Australia comes
mainly from coal (but the effect would be the same if, hypothetically,
our reliable power came from nuclear). The problem is solar power is
intermittent and the marginal cost of providing power when the sun is
shining is zero. So solar producers can price power at zero and
squeeze out coal-fired producers making them uneconomic. So new
coal-fired power stations are being built, and a shortage of reliable
power will only drive up prices and cause blackouts. The problem is a
world-wide one (see for example "Clean Energy's Dirty Secret", The
Economist
http://www.g20ys.org/upload/auto/3184de1b0d725fca735110e35d151475303a7428.pdf.
The problem will exist until storage becomes economic.

We have significant property interests (over 600ha) in the Sutton region,
located within close proximity to the proposed Springdale Solar Farm.

We have reviewed the documents associated with the Springdale proposal
and we have attended their Community Information Session.

We support the Springdale proposal and believe that this enables
valuable activation of what is otherwise relatively marginal farmland.

NSW is suffering from extreme household electricity cost pressures and
we encourage initiatives such as the Springdale proposal to assist in
supplying renewable energy and alleviating costs on household budgets.

Given the rapid growth of Canberra, this area of NSW to the north of
the ACT border is a logical place for rezoning and expansion for a
variety of uses including housing subdivision, commercial, retail,
education, utilities and infrastructure such as the proposed
Springdale Solar Farm.

We encourage the NSW Government to review of the proposal favourably.

I strongly oppose the proposal to develop the Springdale Solar Farm at
Sutton.

As I understand it, the proposed Solar Farm at Sutton:

(1) is not in any renewable energy zones identified by the NSW
Government; and
(2) does not meet suitability criteria prescribed in the NSW
Department of Planning and Environment Draft Guidelines for
large-scale solar development.

If my understanding is correct, it is easy to see why the proposed
development is non-compliant with these requirements.

Placing an industrial-scale development of this massive size and
ugliness in close proximity to high-value residential properties in
Sutton (a region within just a few kilometres from Canberra's northern
suburbs) would destroy the main reason why I, and many other Sutton
residents, chose to live here, namely, to enjoy a pleasant rural
lifestyle within a 15 minute drive from the national capital.

If the development were to go ahead, even as a scaled-down version, it
would have an extremely negative impact on the region's visual amenity
and on property values.

Placing conditions on the proposed development, for example, size
reductions, planting of trees, compensation payments into community
development funds etc, would not address the fundamental objections
outlined in my submission.

There are many other potential sites available for large-scale
renewable energy projects that could be chosen in less inhabited parts
of NSW, without building in, and severely compromising, Sutton's
beautiful rural residential environment.

The proposal suggests a most regrettable lack of regard for the
(entirely foreseeable) environmental and economic wellbeing concerns
of Sutton residents, many of whom have voiced their concerns at Sutton
Solar Action Group community meetings.

I therefore respectfully request that the NSW Government rejects the
proposal to develop the Springdale Solar Farm at Sutton in it's
existing form or in a modified form.

I object to the proposal because:
- it is not within the 3 priority zones as designated by the NSW
government
- the road infrastructure will not support the construction traffic
- there is severe environmental impact
- it is too close to the Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo areas

I am against the solar farm. I am a NSW resident that lives close to
where the solar farm is proposed. I am concerned that in the long term
Canberra will expand and its population will spills over into this
rural area. The proposed area is already only 10 min from residential
homes. The nations capital will have solar farms in amongst a prime
residential area. Only 30 minutes to the heart of Canberra, 'The
Capital of Australia. ' This will have a detrimental effect on the
"Bush Capital, Its tourism and being viable area for people to
relocate. Just think how many want to live next to electricity
substation. It will then become housing commission area and lose its
potential as a wealthy residential area. Thus causing the land value
to decrease in not just the adjoining properties but as far reaching
as Gundaroo. Who wants to buy on a side to Canberra that has
industrial qualities to it!! I understand that it would not be in
everyone's backyard but It means that this side of Canberra will not
be looked at as the "Place to be" My town has had development
applications for more than 800 homes and we are further out. We are
naive to think that in 50 - 100 years the land between Bonner and
Gundaroo will not be used for Canberra's growing population. Thus
bringing good revenue into the Yes shire and this area.
I am also concerned with the loss of habitat for the superb parrot. It
is a declining species and already the development near Gundaroo is
taken up their breeding ground now more of its habitat will be lost to
an energy farm.

I am against the solar farm. I am a NSW resident that lives close to
where the solar farm is proposed. I am concerned that in the long term
Canberra will expand and its population will spills over into this
rural area. The proposed area is already only 10 min from residential
homes. The nations capital will have solar farms in amongst a prime
residential area. Only 30 minutes to the heart of Canberra, 'The
Capital of Australia. ' This will have a detrimental effect on the
"Bush Capital, Its tourism and being viable area for people to
relocate. Just think how many want to live next to electricity
substation. It will then become housing commission area and lose its
potential as a wealthy residential area. Thus causing the land value
to decrease in not just the adjoining properties but as far reaching
as Gundaroo. Who wants to buy on a side to Canberra that has
industrial qualities to it!! I understand that it would not be in
everyone's backyard but It means that this side of Canberra will not
be looked at as the "Place to be" My town has had development
applications for more than 800 homes and we are further out. We are
naive to think that in 50 - 100 years the land between Bonner and
Gundaroo will not be used for Canberra's growing population. Thus
bringing good revenue into the Yes shire and this area.
I am also concerned with the loss of habitat for the superb parrot. It
is a declining species and already the development near Gundaroo is
taken up their breeding ground now more of its habitat will be lost to
an energy farm.

I object to a solar being built in this area.
It is a sore for all the land that is above this farm. It cannot
effectively be blocked from the higher land that rises on the Nations
capital's side.
It will decrease the land value of quite a large area around it.
It is not in the constraints of the Yes valley shire vision for this
area.
These farms not usually placed in prime land so close to residence.
There are animals that are protected that live within this area and
should be considered.
The off set for families within the area is not even close to
compensating for this loss of land and future.
This area has fires and floods that will adversely affect the
potential of energy received from these panels.
The loss of potential for surrounding suburbs, Sutton, Gundaroo,
Bonner, Forde, Murrumbateman has not had enough consideration.
This project involves Simon Corbell was theFormer deputy chief
minister. He pushed the move to fund solar and wind projects around
Australia. He also works for a share holder in the company (as
reported in the Canberra times by Finbar O'Mallon) Are we taking from
our farmers and lining pockets of politicians?
The government has other proposed sites for solar farms this was not
one of the original sites proposed.

Attention: Director - Resource and Energy Assessment

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in regards to the proposed Springdale Solar Development
at Sutton NSW, just beyond the border of the Australian Capital
Territory.

I OPPOSE this development as I do not believe it is the correct
location for a large scale solar farm.

The proposed area is prime agricultural grazing land, where my
forefathers have farmed for the past 8 generations. Many areas of
poorer grazing land in NSW are conducive to such large-scale
developments as is proposed with the Springdale Solar Farm, that will
not impinge on the productivity of the land, or lead to as much impact
on neighbouring residence as would the current chosen location.

Yass council are opposed to any subdivision of less than 200 acres in
this area as it is classed as prime agricultural land, however Renew
Estate are seeking to consume a large portion of this land and destroy
the agricultural potential of the land and the possibilities for
future residential and agricultural use.

In addition to all this, such a development will impact on the
surrounding landscape, increase traffic greatly to the area, increase
noise levels, create a `sea' of glare in the valley, among other
impacts. The development will all also create a much higher fire risk
due to the huge number of ignition points throughout the valley. Being
so close to Sutton and the suburbs of Gungahlin in the ACT, this is
highly dangerous in the summer months.

I wish to encourage those with the ability to approve or reject this
proposal to investigate thoroughly the impact this development will
have on the local area and beyond, and make the best decision.

Thank you for your time and the ability to voice my concerns and those
of my family.

I strongly object to the Springdale solar farm for many reasons.Firstly
if anyone knows Sutton or the area where the purposed solar farm is
going there is months of the year where it doesnt see sun,some days
the fog is that heavey it doesnt lift all day not to mention it is a
known flood zone when ever we get rain this is the first place to
flood. It is loacted in a valley.All footage i have ever seen of solar
farms they have been on acres of dead flat clear land which has strong
sunshine 12mths of the year.Yass council have also doucumented that
the purposed zone is prime agriculture land and is not in the
character or vision of Sutton.We have generations of familes that call
Sutton home and then get this monstrosity dumped on their doorstep
with the only people benifiting this is the solar panel company and
the government officals with financial intrest in it pushing it
through which they like because its not in their neighbourhood and
they dont have to look at it.Sutton wont be able cope with the
increased traffic movements during construction and the saftey of
childern and residents hasnt ever been considered.I dont have a
problem with renewable energy if its loacated in the right position
and not impacting so many lives. The government have already zoned
suitable areas for these solar farms and Sutton is not one of them.I
would like to see a third party independant review of the puposed
Springdale Solar farm as well as the land and enviorment court to
adjudicate if this goes ahead with all the massive impacts its having
on the enviorment,fauna and people.

I wish to support Renew Estate's development application for the proposed
120 MW Springdale Solar Farm. There is considerable need for renewable
energy developments such as this. The environmental impacts of the
proposal would be acceptable compared with the significant benefits of
the proposal, including an annual saving of 123,00 tonnes of carbon
dioxide emissions. The solar farm would increase the security of
electricity supply for families and businesses. This is a worthwhile
project for NSW.

This project is a great investment for Australia.