Roads and Traffic: I think it is unfair to other residents who are not receiving any compensation. The road should be placed on the land of the person who is receiving the financial benefit from this project. The road intened to be used is a dirt road that is not designed to carry these heavy vehicles.

The traffic generated during the construction phase will create an enormous amount of wear & tear on both Spring Mountain Road and Sturmans Road. The roads are dirt and such a dramatic increase in the number of vehicles travelling on the road will cause dust to be thrown over neighbouring farms which concerning for both human and animal health. As a minimum, both Spring Mountain Road and Sturmans Road need to be upgraded to bitumen if the project is to proceed or an alternative route should be used so as to not disturb the nearby farms who will struggle to move livestock with the increased traffic volumes.

I believe that this is not the place for this project

I am writing to OBJECT in the strongest terms to the Sundown Solar Farm (No. SSD-8911).

My objection to project (SSD-8911) is on the following grounds:
• traffic safety and hazard risk,
• noise,
• dust,
• cumulative impacts of multiple renewable projects in the area.

Please find attached my letter of objection.

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.