Sundown Solar Farm Objection- app no SSD-8911

I want to raise my objections against the Sundown Solar Farm.

As a former Inverell resident I am aware of the critical role agriculture plays in the community. The sheer volume of renewable projects that are being developed and installed is concerning. It is concerning due to the locking up of agriculture resources and the flow on impacts this has. Farming is one of the biggest employers and overall financial contributors to the ongoing prosperity of the area.



There seems to be a lack of a long-term strategy in the development of renewables and where they are located. There is also little regulation in place to appropriately govern how those properties that neighbour these installations are kept informed, impacts to them are identified and clear communication as to how those impacts will be mitigated.



I object to this development.

Regards
Samantha Williams

This project will have far reaching negative impacts on the local residents, wildlife and sacred land.
The pollution will create contamination of the natural environment and negatively impact the residents and livestock.
The noise pollution will corrupt the peaceful livelihood and mental health of the residents- many who have chosen to live there for decades.
The wildlife endemic to the area will be at risk which is unacceptable.
This land is sacred for the indigenous community and all who live there.
This project should not go ahead.

I've worked on many rural properties over the years and feel the project would have adverse business impacts and financial loss would be suffered by the farming enterprises conducted in the Swan Vale area. Public roads split many farming properties and farmers often have to cross these roads regularly in the process of moving livestock from paddock to paddock. It would be dangerous to use the public road with the increase in traffic but also be detrimental to the livestock as they will not graze near the road, even from behind a fence. This will make those parts of the paddocks unusable. I would also be concerned about the harm to groundwater and contamination risks. Drought is becoming more severe in Australia and farmers already are struggling to keep water up to livestock. Also, it is being predicted that Australia is going to see a worse bush fire season than the last so the added risk this project would create is fire. Drivers of vehicles throwing cigarette butts from their vehicles is one way a major bush fire could be started but also fires could be started during the course of building the project ie. from welding sparkes etc.

This project poses significant environmental, economical, health and social impacts to the locals, livestock and the land they live on. This solar farm will take valuable farming land from primary production capabilty and cause major disruption to surrounding properties. It will limit stock movements, disrupt normal farming activities and be hazardous to stock in general and local land owners. The dust from the 960% increase in traffic activity will cause decline in quality of produce and the solar farm itself has the potential to hazardous leaks and other dangers.
The New England region is some of the finest agricultural land in Australia and it would be insane to poison ths land with energy projects. There is millions of hectares of unusable land elswhere that would suit a project like this instead of jeopardising the surrounding properties.
The impact on locals though is something that needs to be more considered. It seems as though the consultation process has been lack lustre and as a result has many people confused and saddened that this project is moving forward. The project is intrusive, lacks consideration and should not go ahead.

The adverse effects of the project on the local community will be catastrophic.
1)The disturbance by the noise AND pollution caused by the heavy machinery will negatively impact the well being of the residents and their livestock and livelihood.
2)The disruption of the access roads to and from the remote properties could have drastic consequences. The access to Spring Mountain Road and Sturman rd is vital for the daily existence of the local residents.
3) The vibration caused by the works is likely to cause long term damage and stress to the residents- the EIS states that the vibration ‘may exceed the levels for human comfort’
This is alarming.
4)The interruption to the viability of the pristine farming land is unfathomable. This area is vital for the cattle industry as well as other primary industry.
The land should not be ruined for this project.
5) This project should be stopped.

1) It will be very noisy and dusty. 2) There are not enough doctors in town so the company should provide at least one extra doctor who will treat the workers but also be available for the locals. 3) I'm concerned also that the solar farm will take up arable land that should be used for agriculture.

Objection to Application No. SSD-8911 by Sundown Solar Pty Ltd

I hereby express my strong objection to the application mentioned above, as it raises significant concerns about the lack of public consultation, awareness, and social license regarding the proposed renewable energy (RE) project in our community. Several grounds form the basis of my objection:

Insufficient Public Consultation: The community has not been given adequate time to become fully informed about the proposed project's details, potential impacts, and the measures to address any concerns. Public engagement is crucial in any decision of this magnitude, as it directly affects the lives and livelihoods of the community members.

Lack of Public Awareness: It is evident that the community at large remains unaware of the comprehensive implications of this RE project. Such projects should not be forced upon unsuspecting communities. If the true extent of the irreversible impacts on our community, environment, and infrastructure were widely known, there would undoubtedly be stronger opposition from the public. A lack of awareness undermines our democratic rights to be fully informed about such critical and permanent developments.

Absence of Social License: The concerns and preferences of the local communities have been largely overlooked during the implementation of renewable energy initiatives in the region. The RE rollout has been imposed without proper consideration for the communities and their residents. The broader community has consistently shown that they reject these projects in our region and demand that their concerns be addressed and respected by the relevant authorities.

Cumulative Impact on the New England Region: The proposed energy development could have significant cumulative impacts on the New England region, considering the number of renewable energy projects already in operation or planned in the area. The New England region is predominantly zoned for Primary Production, and such projects could substantially alter the nature and use of the land into an industrialized setting. This transformation poses unprecedented and unnecessary changes to the primary use of the land.

Unsuitability of the Location for Renewable Energy Projects: The proposed site appears unsuitable for a renewable energy project due to its current designation for Primary Production activities. Changing the land's primary use to that of an industrial factory goes against the established zoning and land use plans. Additionally, this region may not possess the necessary infrastructure to support large-scale renewable energy facilities adequately.

In conclusion, I urge the relevant authorities to consider these objections seriously and halt the approval process until thorough public consultation and awareness campaigns are conducted. The community's concerns and well-being should be paramount in any decision-making process, ensuring that our democratic rights are upheld and respected. Additionally, alternative locations or solutions that align better with the region's current land use should be explored to strike a balance between renewable energy ambitions and community interests.

Yours sincerely
Suella Tritton

Letter of objection attached to this entry

Having previously lived in the vicinity of a major project, I am extremely concerned for the local residents, particularly about the traffic and safety impacts, the noise and vibration impacts and general health issues. Rural roads are dangerous enough but when having to travel on roads being used by large trucks and heavy vehicles and an increased number of light vehicles, it becomes extremely dangerous. I had a lot of close calls with such vehicles when I lived in the vicinity of the major project. Many vehicles would not observe the speed limit, especially the small vehicles used by the project workers. There were many times when I was run off the road by these vehicles. I also had many instances of when I was lucky I didn't have to travel the roads to get to the nearest town quickly for medical assistance as, quite often, the roads were blocked by the heavy vehicles and trucks. The noise from these vehicles also impacted on me. I could hear the vehicles coming along the road, many of them starting to travel past my residence in the early hours of the morning, sometimes from 4.00 am. The impact on my health was also substantial. I suffered greatly from allergies, which were mostly put down to the dust generated by the vehicles. Windows in my house, which faced the road, could not be opened as dust would drift into the house and also the noise of the vehicles would filter in. I was often unwell, and I blame the dust created by the traffic for my illnesses.