I object to this project.
This solar farm project will destroy a small rural community. The toxic run-off from such infrastructure associated with solar factory farms will be damaging to nearby properties and wildlife.
These projects bring with them too many detrimental and dangerous issues pertaining to the environment, visual amenities, health to livestock and wildlife, and health and safety to neighbouring properties.

See attached support with provisos.

This infrastructure is too dangerous to the neighbouring properties and communities. BESS and solar panel factories are a significant fire risk. I object to this project.

I would like to begin by acknowledging the farmers of the land within our great nation of Australia today. I pay my respects to Australia’s past, present and future farmers who have and will continue to battle setbacks such as renewable energy destruction, drought, floods, vermin plagues, diseases, and government policy, all so they can provide Australia with food and fibre. I acknowledge that these setbacks come at a high price of mental health, and many have taken their lives as a result due to such pressures. I extend this respect and am thankful for the sacrifices those within the agricultural industry make in order to provide Australia with the essentials; I acknowledge the agricultural industry as the backbone of our nation
We need to unite and fight these developers and the Australian government for forcing this upon us.

Noting the Livestock Producer Assurance accreditation application, they recognise and acknowledge that agricultural land WILL BE POISONED by batteries and solar panels. Given this significant fact, these projects should NOT go ahead as they compromise our food security and environmental safety.

I object to the Gundary Solar Farm. See attached submission below

To whom it may concern,
I am writing this correspondence to advise of my OBJECTION to the proposed Gundary Solar factory.
For the past 38 years, I have had the privilege of calling the Gundary Homestead my home. My family moved to the Gundary Plains seeking its unmatched lifestyle, with breathtaking views and a profound connection to nature. My parents chose this area because they believed it was the perfect place to raise a family—and they were right. Growing up here was nothing short of magical.

This isn’t just where I live; it’s the only place I truly call home, even though I own property elsewhere. It holds deep meaning not just for me but for my eight nieces and nephews as well. Gundary is woven into the fabric of our lives, our hearts, and our memories. It’s our sanctuary—a constant in a world of change, a refuge where we come to find peace and solace.

Today, that sanctuary is under threat. A foreign-owned business and a wealthy investment banker, driven by greed, are endangering the Gundary community and the land we hold dear. This man, motivated solely by the pursuit of greater wealth, has shown no regard for the community he is affecting so profoundly.

Gundary is more than a piece of land—it’s our home, our history, and our heart. We cannot stand by and watch it be taken away.
1. SEPP (Special Environmental Protection Provisions)
The Gundary Plains is located just 10 kilometres from the Goulburn city centre, placing over two-thirds of the proposed solar farm project within the SEPP boundary. The SEPP was established specifically to protect communities from developments like the one British Petroleum is proposing. By moving forward with this project, British Petroleum is blatantly disregarding the protections the SEPP is designed to uphold.

Their actions suggest they believe they are above the laws meant to safeguard communities like the Gundary Plains. This is a gross injustice and demonstrates a complete lack of respect for the government’s efforts to protect this area by including it within the SEPP boundary.

At a minimum, the SEPP boundary must be strictly upheld, with no industrial installations permitted within the designated SEPP zone.

2. Asset Devaluation
Residents of the Gundary area have been informed that their property values could decrease by up to 20% as a result of the proposed solar farm. This is an unacceptable consequence. Why should the Gundary community bear the financial burden of a project that prioritizes profits over people?

This devaluation is not just a number—it represents years of investment, hard work, and emotional attachment to our homes, now threatened by a project that disregards the long-term well-being of the Gundary community.

3. Fire Risk
The proposed solar farm poses an alarming fire risk to the area. Within my lifetime, I can recall two instances of grass fires on the Gundary Plains, both fuelled by strong winds and abundant combustible materials. Although these were successfully contained, the situation would be far more dangerous with the solar farm in place.

The fenced-off site, housing solar panel arrays, BESS battery storage units, and substations, would severely hinder firefighting efforts. The local RFS has already stated they will not enter the site due to inadequate access and the inability to retreat safely if conditions escalate. This raises serious concerns about the ability to control a fire effectively.

A fire in this area could have catastrophic consequences, endangering firefighters and nearby residents—particularly those on Kooringaroo Road, a dead-end street with no safe escape route. The risks are clear!

4. Health Impacts
Since the announcement of the solar farm proposal, Gundary locals have been living in a state of constant anxiety about what might happen to their cherished homes. I’ve seen the impact firsthand when discussions about the project with my family have led to sleepless nights and immense stress, not just for us but for many in the community.

Moreover, the materials used in constructing photovoltaic cells are known to contain carcinogenic materials and pose a risk of causing silicosis. What will happen when these hazardous substances are released into the environment, contaminating our water sources and potentially poisoning the residents of the Gundary Plains?

To date, British Petroleum has completely failed to address these critical health and environmental concerns. This lack of accountability is unacceptable, and these risks cannot be ignored. The community deserves clear answers and decisive action to protect their well-being.

5. Access
The primary access point for the proposed Gundary Solar Factory is on Windellama Road, which is ill-equipped to handle the influx of industrial traffic. Fifes Bridge is too narrow for large vehicles alongside regular commuter traffic, and the road sees heavy use during holiday periods as it is a major route to the coast. Significant upgrades would be essential if the solar farm proceeds.

6. Heat Bank Impacts
Scientists have documented the heat bank effect, where large installations like solar farms can increase local temperatures, particularly during the summer months. Living in close proximity to the proposed installation and substation, we are deeply concerned about how this phenomenon will impact our daily lives, our environment, and the broader local ecosystem.

BP Lightsource has no right to disrupt our surroundings by introducing a project that could modify local climate conditions without thoroughly addressing these risks. The potential for increased heat, coupled with the environmental and health implications, cannot be dismissed or ignored.

7. Compensation
British Petroleum’s proposed solar farm offers little to no compensation to the landowners who will be directly affected by its installation. While the project may promise broader benefits, it comes at a significant cost to the local community. Landowners near the site will face reduced property values, disruptions to their way of life, and potential health and environmental risks, yet they are being largely ignored in discussions about fair compensation.

This disregard for the impacted residents demonstrates a lack of accountability and respect for those who will bear the brunt of the project’s consequences. If British Petroleum is committed to community engagement and ethical practices, it must provide meaningful compensation and address the legitimate concerns of the people living near the proposed site. Anything less is unacceptable.

8. Solar Farm Decommissioning
The mining industry is held to clear, enforceable standards for remediation and decommissioning—yet the solar industry faces no such accountability. Depositing funds upfront for remediation is non-negotiable, especially given that ownership could change multiple times over the project’s 30-year lifespan. Without these safeguards, the end owner could easily declare bankruptcy and abandon the site, leaving local governments and taxpayers to shoulder an enormous financial burden.

BP has shown blatant disregard for this responsibility by refusing to make any concrete commitments to rehabilitating the Gundary Plains. This is unacceptable and further proof of their failure to prioritize the community or the environment.

9. History of Gundary
The name Gundary holds deep significance, meaning “Rocks and Water.” The land has been home to the Gundungurra People who are part of a culture that has existed in Australia for over 65,000 years, there people are part of a rich and ancient culture that has long been connected to this land. Their deep connection to the land is something we should all respect as we consider its future.

Over the years, the Gundary area has seen many changes. Stories of bushrangers robbing stagecoaches that passed through the plains from Braidwood remind us of the area’s rugged past. In 1902, A.R. Maple Brown purchased the land and established a merino stud, eventually building the Gundary Homestead in 1914, where I now live. Mr. Maple Brown’s dedication to the land included planting trees and making significant improvements that helped turn the Gundary Plains into a prosperous agricultural venture.

Today, Gundary has evolved into a tight knit community, with small rural land holdings, hobby farms, and lifestyle blocks that have become home to many families seeking a peaceful, desirable way of life. This transformation marks a significant departure from its past use, and the area is now inhabited by people who cherish its natural beauty and sense of community. Contrary to British Petroleum’s claims, the Gundary Plains is far from “vast and largely unoccupied.” It is a place where people live, work, and thrive.

To see this land transformed into a solar farm would be devastating, not just for me and my family, but for the generations to come. This area has been a part of our lives for so long, and the thought of it being altered for the next 30 plus years is heartbreaking. The impact of such a development would be felt for the rest of my lifetime and my parents’ lifetime, and it would forever change the landscape that so many have come to call home. This is a place with history, memories, and people who care deeply about preserving its character and future.

Summary
The reality is that British Petroleum’s attraction to the Gundary area is its ease linking it into the power grid. British Petroleum’s plans to install a solar factory in an area that see below the national average of sunny days is simply ludicrous. The reality is that the Gundary Plains is a community of 60 plus families that live on or adjacent to the proposed solar factory. The government has a clear responsibility to enforce the provisions of the SEPP and shield this community from unsuitable, industrial-scale developments. The Goulburn Mulwaree Council has also expressed opposition to this project, as it directly contradicts the council’s vision for future growth.