Mark Wilcox
Object
Mark Wilcox
Object
Jeff Foxton
Object
Jeff Foxton
Object
TIRRANNAVILLE
,
New South Wales
Message
To whom it may concern,
Re: Merino Solar Farm – Application No. SSD-5915545
Assessment Type: State Significant Development
Local Government Area: Goulburn Mulwaree
I strongly object to the proposed Merino Solar Farm. My property is located in close proximity to the project site (approximately 600 metres from my dwelling and approximately 320 metres from my boundary). My objections are outlined below.
1. Consultation
My experience with EDPR’s consultation process has been poor from the outset. Very limited information was released to the community, and to this day many residents within the Goulburn Mulwaree Shire remain unaware of the proposal.
EDPR did not consult with me when the project area was expanded from the original Scoping Report, bringing the development approximately 300 metres closer to our property boundary. This was a significant change with direct impacts on our property and should have triggered direct consultation.
During meetings with EDPR representatives, concerns raised by my family were consistently met with dismissive responses. It became clear that these meetings were a box-ticking exercise rather than genuine engagement. To date, EDPR has not followed up or responded meaningfully to the concerns we raised. This represents a complete failure of consultation.
2. Visual Impact
Our home is approximately 630 metres from the proposed solar panels, with our boundary only 320 metres away. Despite this, EDPR’s visual impact assessment classifies the impact on our property as “low.”
This assessment is fundamentally inaccurate. The photo montages and desktop modelling used do not reflect the true visual reality of what will be seen from our home. Assessments based on incorrect data and computer-generated imagery cannot provide a realistic representation of the actual impact.
Decision-makers should physically inspect the site and surrounding properties to properly understand the extent of visual and landscape damage this development would cause. The proposal would significantly degrade the landscape character of the area and affect nearly 200 residents within a 4-kilometre radius.
This development directly conflicts with the intent of the SEPP, which seeks to protect the scenic quality, landscape character, and future growth of Goulburn.
3. Pollution and Contamination
The location of the Merino Solar Farm presents a significant risk of contamination. Solar panels and associated infrastructure pose the potential for leaching contaminants into surrounding soils and nearby natural watercourses, including streams and rivers connected to the Sydney Water catchment.
The proposed decommissioning strategy provides little reassurance. EDPR has stated that sub-soil infrastructure such as cabling and I-beams will not be removed and will instead be cut off at ground level. This infrastructure will remain in the ground indefinitely, continuing to degrade and potentially leach contaminants into the soil. This outcome cannot reasonably be described as “clean” or “green.”
Dust generation during the estimated two-year construction period is also of serious concern. Hundreds of daily vehicle movements and extensive earthworks will generate dust that will settle on our roof, which collects rainwater for household drinking supply. This is our sole source of water, and contamination poses a direct risk to our health.
4. Noise
The predicted construction noise levels do not reflect real-world conditions. We regularly hear traffic noise from 5–7 kilometres away and train noise from approximately 3.5 kilometres, with intensity increasing under certain weather conditions.
Under similar conditions, noise from a large-scale industrial construction site located only 300 metres away will far exceed predicted levels. This would result in continuous disturbance for up to two years.
We run breeding cattle on our property, and pylon driving and heavy construction activities so close to our boundary will cause significant stress and disturbance, particularly during calving. This is a lifestyle farming community, and industrial-scale construction simply does not belong in this setting.
5. Impact on Tirrannaville and Lifestyle
Tirrannaville is a unique rural community offering a peaceful lifestyle just 10 kilometres from the Goulburn CBD. The area is characterised by open countryside, exceptional views, and a quiet, serene environment.
Our community should be supported to grow through small-acreage farming and lifestyle properties, allowing others to enjoy the same way of life we have worked so hard to establish. Approval of the Merino Solar Farm in its current form and location would permanently undermine this vision.
My family has spent over 25 years building our lifestyle on this property while working full-time in Goulburn. The prospect of losing this lifestyle due to an industrial development imposed on our community is devastating. Since October 2022, this proposal has caused ongoing stress and anguish, significantly impacting our mental and physical wellbeing.
6. Fire Risk
The Bushfire Assessment Report provides little comfort. It fails to adequately address the heightened fire risk to adjoining properties or clearly outline emergency procedures in the event of a fire on site.
There is no clarity on notification procedures for neighbouring residents, evacuation planning, or response coordination. We are located on the western boundary of the site on a no-through road, and our primary escape route would be compromised by this development. These risks have not been adequately considered and again reflect a box-ticking approach within the EIS.
7. Traffic
Construction traffic over a two-year period will significantly increase accident risk on Braidwood Road. The area is frequently affected by heavy fog, particularly during peak morning traffic periods.
In addition, damage to local roads from over-dimensional and over-weight vehicles will inevitably fall to ratepayers. This is an unfair cost burden on the local community for a project that delivers no benefit to us.
8. Conclusion
The Merino Solar Farm should not proceed in its proposed location. Its proximity to Goulburn restricts future growth, contradicts SEPP objectives, and will impose lifelong negative impacts on my family, including physical and mental health consequences, property devaluation, and irreversible damage to the landscape.
Renewable energy projects must be appropriately sited to avoid profound harm to established communities. This proposal fails that test. I urge the consent authority to reject the Merino Solar Farm in its current form and location and allow common sense and genuine community protection to prevail.
Yours sincerely,
Jeff Foxton
Re: Merino Solar Farm – Application No. SSD-5915545
Assessment Type: State Significant Development
Local Government Area: Goulburn Mulwaree
I strongly object to the proposed Merino Solar Farm. My property is located in close proximity to the project site (approximately 600 metres from my dwelling and approximately 320 metres from my boundary). My objections are outlined below.
1. Consultation
My experience with EDPR’s consultation process has been poor from the outset. Very limited information was released to the community, and to this day many residents within the Goulburn Mulwaree Shire remain unaware of the proposal.
EDPR did not consult with me when the project area was expanded from the original Scoping Report, bringing the development approximately 300 metres closer to our property boundary. This was a significant change with direct impacts on our property and should have triggered direct consultation.
During meetings with EDPR representatives, concerns raised by my family were consistently met with dismissive responses. It became clear that these meetings were a box-ticking exercise rather than genuine engagement. To date, EDPR has not followed up or responded meaningfully to the concerns we raised. This represents a complete failure of consultation.
2. Visual Impact
Our home is approximately 630 metres from the proposed solar panels, with our boundary only 320 metres away. Despite this, EDPR’s visual impact assessment classifies the impact on our property as “low.”
This assessment is fundamentally inaccurate. The photo montages and desktop modelling used do not reflect the true visual reality of what will be seen from our home. Assessments based on incorrect data and computer-generated imagery cannot provide a realistic representation of the actual impact.
Decision-makers should physically inspect the site and surrounding properties to properly understand the extent of visual and landscape damage this development would cause. The proposal would significantly degrade the landscape character of the area and affect nearly 200 residents within a 4-kilometre radius.
This development directly conflicts with the intent of the SEPP, which seeks to protect the scenic quality, landscape character, and future growth of Goulburn.
3. Pollution and Contamination
The location of the Merino Solar Farm presents a significant risk of contamination. Solar panels and associated infrastructure pose the potential for leaching contaminants into surrounding soils and nearby natural watercourses, including streams and rivers connected to the Sydney Water catchment.
The proposed decommissioning strategy provides little reassurance. EDPR has stated that sub-soil infrastructure such as cabling and I-beams will not be removed and will instead be cut off at ground level. This infrastructure will remain in the ground indefinitely, continuing to degrade and potentially leach contaminants into the soil. This outcome cannot reasonably be described as “clean” or “green.”
Dust generation during the estimated two-year construction period is also of serious concern. Hundreds of daily vehicle movements and extensive earthworks will generate dust that will settle on our roof, which collects rainwater for household drinking supply. This is our sole source of water, and contamination poses a direct risk to our health.
4. Noise
The predicted construction noise levels do not reflect real-world conditions. We regularly hear traffic noise from 5–7 kilometres away and train noise from approximately 3.5 kilometres, with intensity increasing under certain weather conditions.
Under similar conditions, noise from a large-scale industrial construction site located only 300 metres away will far exceed predicted levels. This would result in continuous disturbance for up to two years.
We run breeding cattle on our property, and pylon driving and heavy construction activities so close to our boundary will cause significant stress and disturbance, particularly during calving. This is a lifestyle farming community, and industrial-scale construction simply does not belong in this setting.
5. Impact on Tirrannaville and Lifestyle
Tirrannaville is a unique rural community offering a peaceful lifestyle just 10 kilometres from the Goulburn CBD. The area is characterised by open countryside, exceptional views, and a quiet, serene environment.
Our community should be supported to grow through small-acreage farming and lifestyle properties, allowing others to enjoy the same way of life we have worked so hard to establish. Approval of the Merino Solar Farm in its current form and location would permanently undermine this vision.
My family has spent over 25 years building our lifestyle on this property while working full-time in Goulburn. The prospect of losing this lifestyle due to an industrial development imposed on our community is devastating. Since October 2022, this proposal has caused ongoing stress and anguish, significantly impacting our mental and physical wellbeing.
6. Fire Risk
The Bushfire Assessment Report provides little comfort. It fails to adequately address the heightened fire risk to adjoining properties or clearly outline emergency procedures in the event of a fire on site.
There is no clarity on notification procedures for neighbouring residents, evacuation planning, or response coordination. We are located on the western boundary of the site on a no-through road, and our primary escape route would be compromised by this development. These risks have not been adequately considered and again reflect a box-ticking approach within the EIS.
7. Traffic
Construction traffic over a two-year period will significantly increase accident risk on Braidwood Road. The area is frequently affected by heavy fog, particularly during peak morning traffic periods.
In addition, damage to local roads from over-dimensional and over-weight vehicles will inevitably fall to ratepayers. This is an unfair cost burden on the local community for a project that delivers no benefit to us.
8. Conclusion
The Merino Solar Farm should not proceed in its proposed location. Its proximity to Goulburn restricts future growth, contradicts SEPP objectives, and will impose lifelong negative impacts on my family, including physical and mental health consequences, property devaluation, and irreversible damage to the landscape.
Renewable energy projects must be appropriately sited to avoid profound harm to established communities. This proposal fails that test. I urge the consent authority to reject the Merino Solar Farm in its current form and location and allow common sense and genuine community protection to prevail.
Yours sincerely,
Jeff Foxton
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Object
ORANGE
,
New South Wales
Message
Please find attached detailed submission against the project
Attachments
Michelle Coles
Object
Michelle Coles
Object
GUNDARY
,
New South Wales
Message
I strongly object to the Merino Solar Farm Proposal. Please see my attached objection