Edward Christie
Object
Edward Christie
Object
GUNDARY
,
New South Wales
Message
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.
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.
Attachments
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
BRISBANE GROVE
,
New South Wales
Message
It is too close to a large town, homes and prime grazing land.
Pamela Wasley
Object
Pamela Wasley
Object
Mingenew
,
Western Australia
Message
I live in WA.
I think that it is disgraceful that Light source BP may be allowed to destroy the pristine grazing and agricultural country like the Gundary Plains and that Australia will eventually be reliant on other countries for food. Projects such as this will also destroy our export markets for grain and frozen meat. It is in the completely wrong place.
Pam Wasley
I think that it is disgraceful that Light source BP may be allowed to destroy the pristine grazing and agricultural country like the Gundary Plains and that Australia will eventually be reliant on other countries for food. Projects such as this will also destroy our export markets for grain and frozen meat. It is in the completely wrong place.
Pam Wasley
Derrick Wasley
Object
Derrick Wasley
Object
Mingenew
,
Western Australia
Message
I live in Western Australia.
I visit the Gundary Plains on a regular basis. The view of the Plains from where we stay is magnificent . It will not be magnificent if it covered in 660,000 solar panels, a huge sub-station and inverters.
It will completely ruin the pleasure that visitors to the area currently get from it. It definitely will not encourage visitors to stay in accommodation in the area.
Derrick Wasley
Nanekine
I visit the Gundary Plains on a regular basis. The view of the Plains from where we stay is magnificent . It will not be magnificent if it covered in 660,000 solar panels, a huge sub-station and inverters.
It will completely ruin the pleasure that visitors to the area currently get from it. It definitely will not encourage visitors to stay in accommodation in the area.
Derrick Wasley
Nanekine
Martin Perera
Object
Martin Perera
Object
Goulburn
,
New South Wales
Message
My objections as a resident of Goulburn to the proposed Gundary Solar project are as follows -
Location -
- This project will destroy the scenic quality and landscape character of Gundary Plains and destroy the very fabric of the Gundary community
- The project is within the Goulburn Regional zone and within the Goulburn City limits
- This land would be better suited to Hobby/Lifestyle property blocks
- Land such as this proposed project close to Goulburn will be urgenty required for future population residential growth within the city limits
The Site :
- The site is 7 square kilometres in the middle of over 60 homes.
- Most of the site is subject land under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 – see Regional Cities Map – Goulburn
- Goulburn is known for its wind but not for its daily solar exposure. This is confirmed by BOM data which shows Goulburn has 88.4 mean clear days/year (according to 35 years of BOM data).
- The site is immediately west of Bushfire Prone Land Vegetation Category 1 (High Risk).Fires are a risk on solar factories – panels, transformers, batteries, substation.The common prevailing bushfire winds are W & NW on the Gundary Plains where BP proposes to build this solar factory.
Fire Risk -
- A significant fire risk for neighbours particularly the eastern and southern sides of the proposed solar factory on Kooringaroo Road from panels, batteries and substation fires.
- There is hampered fire fighting capability on solar energy generation sites to fight any fires that start or burns onto these sites.
- Many residents of Kooringaroo Road, on the eastern side of the site, live on a no through road and have no mobile phone coverage and therefore unlikely to be able to escape.
Mental Health -
- There has been and continues to be extreme mental health issues being experienced by many badly affected landowners.
- BP classify this mental health as “stress and anxiety” and therefore has no desire to accept what its proposal is doing to peoples’ lives and livelihoods.
Property Devaluation :
- BP and its operatives continually deny that neighbouring properties would be devalued.
- A number of properties have been withdrawn from market
- One family could not stand anymore and sold – they suffered a 36% devaluation of their property.
- BP has refused to discuss compensation.
- Neighbours and near neighbours’ properties will be devalued.
- Property values of surrounding properties will be drastically reduced. A reduced property value may impact on some owners’ mortgages while others will see their “superannuation” tied up in their property reduced significantly. The net effect is the taking of capital off small people (current landholders) and transferring the benefits to city bankers and multi-national corporations.
Electromagnetic Radiation :
- A very large electricity facility - 740,000 solar panels, 154 inverters, 154 batteries, 30/330KV substation
- Exposure to electromagnetic radiation is unknown
- Impact on tractor GPS guidance and Drone guidance is unknown
Destroys The Natural Environment :
- to save the planet as most of the existing trees will be destroyed including 2000 planted by Greening Australia, the Australian River Restoration Centre and a previous landowner. This will remove 1700 acres of grassland over which the Gundary Wedge Tail Eagles hunt. If the Tirranniville solar factory is approved the Eagles will loose over 3000 acres of grassland hunting area in total. A considerable number of native animals are at risk – wombats, wedge tail eagles, reptiles and open woodland birds and a large variety of ducks and swans.
Local Jobs :
- BP lied when they kept on insisting that there would be 400 jobs for Goulburn. Based on their Scoping Report, Goulburn would be lucky to get 87 jobs during the 9 Month peak period of construction
Abandoned and/or Derelict site :
- Solar farms should be required to lodge a rehabilitation security deposit with the NSW Government to cover estimated rehabilitation costs otherwise you and your children may be carrying the burden of the costs of rehabilitation through your taxes.
- There is no guarantee that the current solar farm Developers or Owners or Land holders will be around at the end of life of the facilities and there is nothing stopping the last company owning a facility going into liquidation, thus leaving no funds for decommissioning, remediation and rehabilitation and leaving the taxpayer the cost.
SOCIAL LICENCE :
- BP and Lightsourcebp have NO SOCIAL LICENCE
Location -
- This project will destroy the scenic quality and landscape character of Gundary Plains and destroy the very fabric of the Gundary community
- The project is within the Goulburn Regional zone and within the Goulburn City limits
- This land would be better suited to Hobby/Lifestyle property blocks
- Land such as this proposed project close to Goulburn will be urgenty required for future population residential growth within the city limits
The Site :
- The site is 7 square kilometres in the middle of over 60 homes.
- Most of the site is subject land under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 – see Regional Cities Map – Goulburn
- Goulburn is known for its wind but not for its daily solar exposure. This is confirmed by BOM data which shows Goulburn has 88.4 mean clear days/year (according to 35 years of BOM data).
- The site is immediately west of Bushfire Prone Land Vegetation Category 1 (High Risk).Fires are a risk on solar factories – panels, transformers, batteries, substation.The common prevailing bushfire winds are W & NW on the Gundary Plains where BP proposes to build this solar factory.
Fire Risk -
- A significant fire risk for neighbours particularly the eastern and southern sides of the proposed solar factory on Kooringaroo Road from panels, batteries and substation fires.
- There is hampered fire fighting capability on solar energy generation sites to fight any fires that start or burns onto these sites.
- Many residents of Kooringaroo Road, on the eastern side of the site, live on a no through road and have no mobile phone coverage and therefore unlikely to be able to escape.
Mental Health -
- There has been and continues to be extreme mental health issues being experienced by many badly affected landowners.
- BP classify this mental health as “stress and anxiety” and therefore has no desire to accept what its proposal is doing to peoples’ lives and livelihoods.
Property Devaluation :
- BP and its operatives continually deny that neighbouring properties would be devalued.
- A number of properties have been withdrawn from market
- One family could not stand anymore and sold – they suffered a 36% devaluation of their property.
- BP has refused to discuss compensation.
- Neighbours and near neighbours’ properties will be devalued.
- Property values of surrounding properties will be drastically reduced. A reduced property value may impact on some owners’ mortgages while others will see their “superannuation” tied up in their property reduced significantly. The net effect is the taking of capital off small people (current landholders) and transferring the benefits to city bankers and multi-national corporations.
Electromagnetic Radiation :
- A very large electricity facility - 740,000 solar panels, 154 inverters, 154 batteries, 30/330KV substation
- Exposure to electromagnetic radiation is unknown
- Impact on tractor GPS guidance and Drone guidance is unknown
Destroys The Natural Environment :
- to save the planet as most of the existing trees will be destroyed including 2000 planted by Greening Australia, the Australian River Restoration Centre and a previous landowner. This will remove 1700 acres of grassland over which the Gundary Wedge Tail Eagles hunt. If the Tirranniville solar factory is approved the Eagles will loose over 3000 acres of grassland hunting area in total. A considerable number of native animals are at risk – wombats, wedge tail eagles, reptiles and open woodland birds and a large variety of ducks and swans.
Local Jobs :
- BP lied when they kept on insisting that there would be 400 jobs for Goulburn. Based on their Scoping Report, Goulburn would be lucky to get 87 jobs during the 9 Month peak period of construction
Abandoned and/or Derelict site :
- Solar farms should be required to lodge a rehabilitation security deposit with the NSW Government to cover estimated rehabilitation costs otherwise you and your children may be carrying the burden of the costs of rehabilitation through your taxes.
- There is no guarantee that the current solar farm Developers or Owners or Land holders will be around at the end of life of the facilities and there is nothing stopping the last company owning a facility going into liquidation, thus leaving no funds for decommissioning, remediation and rehabilitation and leaving the taxpayer the cost.
SOCIAL LICENCE :
- BP and Lightsourcebp have NO SOCIAL LICENCE
Name Withheld
Support
Name Withheld
Support
GUNDARY
,
New South Wales
Message
I am a neighbour of the proposed Gundary Solar Farm, living with my family at Kooringaroo Road, Gundary, since 1997. Regrettably, I must withhold my name due to the behaviour of a minority of the opponents towards anyone who is publicly supporting the project.
I strongly support the project due to the urgent need to combat climate change.
However, the current proposal by Lightsource BP is inadequate, providing minimal benefits to the community and affected neighbours.
I fully endorse the points made in their submission by The Goulburn Group (TGG).
These include:
1. A substantial Community Benefit Fund.
2. At least half of the jobs allocated to local employees.
3. A training program linked to employment.
4. Preference for local businesses and suppliers.
5. Enhanced Neighbourhood Benefits Program.
6. Contribution to affordable housing.
7. Funding for projects benefiting the local economy, such as the Goulburn to Crookwell rail trail.
8. Cheaper electricity for local residents.
9. Co-investment opportunities for locals.
10. Funding for local road projects.
11. Integrating agricultural activities with solar farming.
Additionally, I am concerned about the insufficient fire prevention measures. My suggestion to Lightsource BP for a sprinkler system to be installed has so far been dismissed on cost grounds.
It’s important for the NSW government to note that opposition to the project is being manipulated by a vocal and politically influential and powerful group. Their agenda extends well beyond the Gundary project, aiming to delay any energy transition and prolong the use of fossil fuels.
The experience of the last few years has shown that their opposition against projects such as Gundary is tightly connected to the promotion of nuclear as a viable alternative source of power. Flooding social media directly and indirectly with false and misleading information is one of the strategies used by these well-resourced manipulators.
I urge the NSW Government to consider this context when evaluating community opposition, ensuring that valid but often misguided concerns are not misused to hinder renewable energy progress.
I strongly support the project due to the urgent need to combat climate change.
However, the current proposal by Lightsource BP is inadequate, providing minimal benefits to the community and affected neighbours.
I fully endorse the points made in their submission by The Goulburn Group (TGG).
These include:
1. A substantial Community Benefit Fund.
2. At least half of the jobs allocated to local employees.
3. A training program linked to employment.
4. Preference for local businesses and suppliers.
5. Enhanced Neighbourhood Benefits Program.
6. Contribution to affordable housing.
7. Funding for projects benefiting the local economy, such as the Goulburn to Crookwell rail trail.
8. Cheaper electricity for local residents.
9. Co-investment opportunities for locals.
10. Funding for local road projects.
11. Integrating agricultural activities with solar farming.
Additionally, I am concerned about the insufficient fire prevention measures. My suggestion to Lightsource BP for a sprinkler system to be installed has so far been dismissed on cost grounds.
It’s important for the NSW government to note that opposition to the project is being manipulated by a vocal and politically influential and powerful group. Their agenda extends well beyond the Gundary project, aiming to delay any energy transition and prolong the use of fossil fuels.
The experience of the last few years has shown that their opposition against projects such as Gundary is tightly connected to the promotion of nuclear as a viable alternative source of power. Flooding social media directly and indirectly with false and misleading information is one of the strategies used by these well-resourced manipulators.
I urge the NSW Government to consider this context when evaluating community opposition, ensuring that valid but often misguided concerns are not misused to hinder renewable energy progress.
Barbara Lewis
Comment
Barbara Lewis
Comment
Goulburn
,
New South Wales
Message
I support renewable energy projects, in my region. However, the extent this developer has indicated a willingness to invest in the local community, given the years ahead of reaping profits from hosting the project in the Goulburn Mulwaree region is very disappointing. Consequently, a condition attaching to its approval should carry a maximum financial contribution to a community fund should be at the highest benchmarked level and used to (1) contribute funds to the local TAFE to train apprentices and ongoing construction and maintenance staff for renewables installations; (2) establish local affordable housing solutions that can be used initially to house the influx of construction workers for the duration of the installation, which, once completed, will serve as a legacy to the community housing shortage in future; and (3) to set up and operate an Aboriginal Health Service at the Goulburn Hospital to serve the 5.2% representation of population First Nations people, by way of recognising their enduring tenure and stewardship of the land on which the project is planned to be situated.
Further on the point about traditional ownership of the land hosting the project, I don't give much weight to the visual amenity argument favouring agricultural pursuits over renewable energy usage for the land, as agriculture was not the original, nor now the ultimate value to be upheld for the location.
Finally, given the enduring waste that will result throughout the project life, there needs to be significant provision for the local Council to maintain the necessary waste and recycling service that will be required for the project, by way of direct contribution from the developer or indirectly via state government grants offered. There also needs to be a guaranteed provision for decommissioning costs to guard against the host company failing to find the necessary funds within its own financial reserves to decommission the equipment should the need ever arise.
As regards the community fund, I would want to see it administered by an independent body such as Energyco NSW, as the local council has a history of poor support for renewables and my trust in their ongoing administration of such a fund would be shaky.
Further on the point about traditional ownership of the land hosting the project, I don't give much weight to the visual amenity argument favouring agricultural pursuits over renewable energy usage for the land, as agriculture was not the original, nor now the ultimate value to be upheld for the location.
Finally, given the enduring waste that will result throughout the project life, there needs to be significant provision for the local Council to maintain the necessary waste and recycling service that will be required for the project, by way of direct contribution from the developer or indirectly via state government grants offered. There also needs to be a guaranteed provision for decommissioning costs to guard against the host company failing to find the necessary funds within its own financial reserves to decommission the equipment should the need ever arise.
As regards the community fund, I would want to see it administered by an independent body such as Energyco NSW, as the local council has a history of poor support for renewables and my trust in their ongoing administration of such a fund would be shaky.