I would like to express my support for the Merino Solar Farm project. The proposal represents a significant opportunity to deliver reliable and low-cost renewable energy while presenting a $1.2 billion investment into economic development and job creation in the Goulburn area. The option to continue sheep grazing underneath the solar panels will also help maintain the operation of the project land as agricultural land.

The impacts of climate change cannot be understated. Projections by the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology indicate an increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Australia over the coming decades. Hot days are expected to become hotter and more frequent, and southern and eastern Australia are projected to experience more severe fire weather conditions. Projects such as the Merino Solar Farm form part of the practical response needed to reduce emissions and limit these escalating risks. Bushfires and drought will continue to cause significant health and economic impacts across the country, as they already have. The 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires resulted in numerous fatalities, hundreds of additional deaths linked to smoke exposure, thousands of hospitalizations, and an estimated economic cost exceeding $100 billion. Prolonged droughts have placed severe strain on communities, affecting food production, water security and livelihoods. Projects such as the Merino Solar Farm form part of the practical response needed to reduce emissions and limit the severity of these escalating climate risks.

Australia has one of the best solar resources in the world, and the Merino project will contribute meaningfully to emissions reduction while remaining cost-competitive with, and in most cases cheaper than, coal or gas generation. While there are concerns regarding the placement and visual impact of the project, the technical assessments undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Statement demonstrate that impacts are low and manageable. The site selection process has considered grid access, land availability, environmental constraints, and many other factors. No site is entirely without impact, but in this case the local effects are limited and outweighed by the broader economic and environmental benefits.

For these reasons, I strongly support the approval of the Merino Solar Farm project.

Sources:
- https://www.csiro.au/en/research/environmental-impacts/climate-change/Climate-change-information
- Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (2020)
- https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/what-is-the-cheapest-form-of-electricity-for-australia/
- https://reneweconomy.com.au/australia-has-the-best-solar-resources-in-the-world-we-should-learn-how-to-make-our-own-panels/

I am writing as a NSW resident interested in the long-term viability and growth of the region. While large-scale developments often raise concerns, the Merino Solar Farm stands out because it appears to have been designed with a genuine respect for Goulburn’s specific needs and layout. As we know energy generation is becoming a fundamental pillar and potentially scarcity in a non so distant future.

A key point to notice is the spatial common sense of the proposal. By utilizing the land at the end of the Goulburn Airport runway, the project makes productive use of an area where traditional town expansion or residential growth is already restricted. It’s a clever way to generate value without encroaching on the "liveable" footprint of the town. I also appreciate the neighbor-focused adjustments; removing 8 hectares of panels to protect the views of nearby homes shows a willingness to listen that has not always been present in other projects.

As someone who values our local heritage, I’m particularly supportive of the "solar grazing" approach. There is often a fear that solar farms destroy agricultural land, but seeing a plan where multi-generational sheep farming continues - and even benefits from the shade of the panels - reassures me that we aren't choosing between energy and industry. This addresses both.
With a $1 billion investment and hundreds of local jobs on the line, the economic boost can be impactful.

However, it’s the long-term safety nets—like the annual $382,500 community fund and the legal guarantee to restore the land afterward—that give me the confidence to support this. It feels like a responsible, low-impact way to secure the community’s financial and environmental future.

OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED MERINO SOLAR FARM

I write to formally object to the proposed Merino Solar Farm development on the grounds outlined below. While I support the transition to renewable energy in principle, this proposal raises significant concerns that have not been adequately addressed and which outweigh the claimed benefits of the project.

1. Loss of Agricultural Land and Impact on Rural Character
The proposed development would result in the removal of productive agricultural land that has long supported farming activities and the local rural economy. Once covered with solar infrastructure, this land is effectively removed from agricultural use for decades. This represents an irreversible change to land use and undermines the long-term sustainability of farming in the area.
In addition, the scale and industrial nature of the solar farm is inconsistent with the existing rural character of Merino and surrounding districts, fundamentally altering the landscape and visual amenity.

2. Visual and Landscape Impacts
The size and extent of the solar panels, associated fencing, substations, access roads, and lighting will have a substantial visual impact. The development will be highly visible from nearby roads and properties, diminishing the scenic and open rural landscape that residents and visitors value. Proposed landscaping and screening measures are unlikely to adequately mitigate these impacts, particularly in the short to medium term.

3. Impacts on Biodiversity and the Natural Environment
There are serious concerns about the project’s impact on local flora and fauna, including habitat loss, disturbance to wildlife, and disruption of ecological corridors. The clearing and grading required for construction, combined with long-term fencing, may fragment habitats and reduce biodiversity.
Insufficient evidence has been provided to demonstrate that these environmental impacts can be avoided or properly managed over the life of the project.

4. Amenity Impacts on Nearby Residents
Residents living near the proposed site may experience adverse impacts from noise, glare, increased traffic during construction, and ongoing maintenance activities. Glint and glare from solar panels can affect nearby homes and road users, posing safety and amenity concerns.
The proposal does not adequately demonstrate that these impacts will be minimal or that effective mitigation measures are guaranteed.

5. Traffic and Road Safety Concerns
Construction of the solar farm will significantly increase heavy vehicle traffic on local roads that are not designed to accommodate such volumes or loads. This raises concerns regarding road safety, noise, dust, road damage, and inconvenience for local residents and farm operations.
There is insufficient detail regarding road upgrades, maintenance responsibilities, and long-term impacts on local infrastructure.

6. Decommissioning and Long-Term Land Management
The proposal lacks clear, enforceable commitments regarding decommissioning and site rehabilitation at the end of the project’s operational life. Without firm guarantees, there is a risk that the community will be left with degraded land, obsolete infrastructure, or remediation costs.
A comprehensive decommissioning bond and legally binding rehabilitation plan should be required, yet these have not been adequately detailed.

7. Community Consultation and Social Impact
Local residents have not been meaningfully consulted, and community concerns appear to have been treated as secondary to commercial objectives. The social impacts on the Merino community—including loss of amenity, changes to landscape identity, and reduced trust in planning processes—have not been properly assessed or addressed.

8. Fire Risk and Emergency Management
The proposed Merino Solar Farm presents a heightened bushfire and grassfire risk that has not been adequately addressed. Large-scale solar installations introduce new ignition sources, including electrical faults, inverters, transformers, underground cabling, and maintenance activities. In a rural area with dry grass, high winds, and limited firefighting resources, even a small ignition could rapidly escalate into a major fire event.
The proposal does not provide sufficient detail on fire prevention, detection, suppression, or emergency response measures. Concerns remain regarding access for emergency vehicles, availability of on-site water for firefighting, and coordination with local Country Fire Authority (CFA) or equivalent emergency services. Narrow rural roads and long response times further increase the risk to nearby properties, livestock, and residents.
The introduction of extensive fencing may also restrict movement of firefighting vehicles and livestock during an emergency. Without a comprehensive, independently reviewed Fire Management Plan and enforceable conditions, the risk posed by the development is unacceptable.

9. Water Pollution, Drainage, and Catchment Impacts
The construction and operation of the solar farm pose significant risks to local water quality. Land clearing, grading, and soil disturbance increase the likelihood of erosion, sediment runoff, and contamination of nearby creeks, waterways, farm dams, and groundwater systems—particularly during heavy rainfall events.
There are also concerns regarding potential chemical pollution from panel coatings, cleaning agents, oils, coolants, and other materials associated with inverters and transformers. In the event of equipment failure, flooding, or inadequate containment, pollutants may enter surrounding soils and watercourses, impacting downstream users, stock water, and ecosystems.
The proposal does not adequately demonstrate how stormwater will be managed across the site to prevent altered flow patterns, flooding, or concentration of runoff onto neighbouring properties. Existing drainage systems may be compromised, increasing the risk of waterlogging or contamination of productive farmland.
Without detailed hydrological studies, water quality monitoring commitments, and enforceable pollution controls, the development poses an unacceptable risk to local waterways and agricultural water supplies.

Conclusion
For the reasons outlined above, I believe the proposed Merino Solar Farm represents an inappropriate development for this location. The environmental, agricultural, visual, and social impacts are significant and have not been adequately mitigated or justified.
I respectfully request that the responsible authority refuse this application

Merino project is the major renewable energy project which will further support the green energy pathway in Australia. The project is also the economy boost for the region as it is a 1 billion investment and will create more than 500 jobs during construction and maintain 10-12 during operation. There will be a lot of community benefits that it has reached agreements with host landowners to fund the clean-up and restoration of land at the end of project life, the farmers can continue their operations under the solar panels.

I am writing to express my personal support for the proposed Merino Solar Farm Project.
The Merino Project, designed to deliver approximately 530 MW of solar generation capacity alongside a 1,200 MWh battery storage system, represents a significant contribution to NSW’s transition toward a more sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy future. In my view, it is precisely the kind of forward‑looking investment the state needs to strengthen grid resilience, reduce emissions, and support long‑term energy security.
Beyond its energy merits, the Project represents a major economic and social opportunity for the region. It is expected to generate more than 500 direct and indirect jobs across construction, operations, local contracting, services, logistics, and supply chains—supporting livelihoods and reinforcing the local employment ecosystem. Its substantial capital investment will stimulate demand for local goods and services, boost regional procurement, and catalyse long‑term economic activity through multiplier effects. Small businesses, trades, and service providers stand to gain significantly from this inward investment, helping to enhance regional competitiveness and resilience.
I also support the Project because it is promoted by a globally respected renewable‑energy owner and operator with a demonstrated history of delivering sustainable, high‑quality infrastructure worldwide. The organisation’s strong emphasis on environmental stewardship, protection of local flora and fauna, and meaningful community engagement gives me confidence that the Project will be implemented responsibly and with genuine consideration for its surroundings.
From an environmental and social perspective, large‑scale clean‑energy developments like Merino present a practical pathway to reducing carbon intensity, diversifying regional economies, and ensuring that communities have a stake in Australia’s energy transition. With its careful design, focus on sustainability, and commitment to local benefit, the Merino Project stands as a future‑focused development that can meaningfully advance regional prosperity while contributing to NSW’s clean‑energy targets.
For these reasons, I respectfully submit my full personal support for the Merino Solar Farm Project and encourage its favourable consideration through the planning process.

I believe the Merino Solar Farm will play a meaningful role in supporting Australia’s decarbonisation goals by delivering large-scale renewable energy into the grid and displacing fossil fuel generation. Beyond emissions reduction, the project will stimulate regional economic growth, create skilled employment during both construction and operations, and contribute to long-term energy security and price stability. It will also attract further clean energy investment, strengthen local supply chains, and support Australia’s transition toward a more resilient, low-carbon energy system.

I object to the proposed Merino Solar Farm on the grounds that it is inappropriately located in close proximity to both Goulburn township and the rural locality of Tirrannaville. The proposal represents a significant land-use conflict with the established agricultural character and planning intent of the area. Land within the Tirrannaville locality is predominantly used for rural grazing and pastoral activities and supports productive agricultural landscapes, including remnant native grasslands such as kangaroo grass (Themeda australis) and wallaby grasses (Rytidosperma spp.). This land use aligns with the zoning under the Goulburn Mulwaree Local Environmental Plan 2009, which designates the area as RU1 Primary Production and RU2 Rural Landscape to protect sustainable agriculture, rural character, and environmental values. The introduction of an industrial-scale solar farm is incompatible with the objectives of these zones and would displace productive agricultural land, fragment rural landscapes, and undermine the long-term viability of pastoral enterprises. The proposal is therefore inconsistent with the relevant environmental planning instruments and fails the assessment test under section 4.15(1)(a) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The site is also unsuitable under section 4.15(1)(c) of the Act due to its proximity to an established and growing regional city. Rural land surrounding Goulburn performs an important buffering and transitional role between urban areas and agricultural land. The placement of long-term industrial infrastructure in this location removes that buffer, creates ongoing land-use conflict, and risks constraining future urban growth and infrastructure planning.

The proposal fails to provide adequate separation distances from Goulburn township, Tirrannaville, and nearby rural-residential areas. Large-scale solar farms are industrial in scale and character and generate visual, traffic, noise, and landscape impacts that are inappropriate at the rural–urban interface. These impacts are amplified by the project’s proximity to sensitive receivers and have not been adequately avoided or justified. The land is located within the Mulwaree Ponds Catchment, an area known to experience high-rainfall events and periodic inundation of low-lying areas. The scale of ground disturbance, altered surface drainage, and installation of extensive infrastructure associated with the solar farm raises concerns regarding hydrological impacts within a sensitive catchment, contrary to sound land and water management principles.
For these reasons, the proposal fails to adequately consider impacts under section 4.15(1)(b), is located on an unsuitable site under section 4.15(1)(c), and is contrary to the public interest under section 4.15(1)(e) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Approval would set an undesirable precedent for the encroachment of industrial-scale development near regional cities and undermine confidence in rural zoning protections. Accordingly, the proposed Merino Solar Farm should be refused.

I wish to provide my support for the Merino Solar Farm project currently under public exhibition. In my view, the proposal reflects careful planning, a responsible approach to land use, and a clear commitment to delivering long‑term benefits for the Goulburn region.
The project team has demonstrated thoughtful site selection by locating the solar farm at the end of the Goulburn Airport runway, an area that ensures compatibility with airport operations while avoiding any interference with areas identified for future town growth. This careful placement shows an understanding of local planning priorities and the importance of minimising land‑use conflict.
I also acknowledge the constructive engagement undertaken with neighbouring residents. The removal of 8 hectares of solar panels from the original design to prevent direct impacts demonstrates a meaningful response to community feedback. The inclusion of a benefit‑sharing program for nearby households provides an equitable opportunity for those living closest to the site to share in the advantages the project brings.
The scale of economic contribution associated with the Merino Solar Farm is significant. An investment exceeding $1 billion, coupled with the creation of more than 500 construction jobs and ongoing operational roles, will provide considerable economic stimulus to the Goulburn region. Such investment supports both immediate economic activity and longer‑term regional resilience.
Notably, the project also supports the continuation of existing agricultural operations. Agreements with host landowners ensure that sheep grazing, including long‑standing family farming practices, can continue beneath the solar panels. This dual‑use approach reinforces the compatibility between renewable energy generation and productive farmland.
Additionally, the project incorporates responsible end‑of‑life planning through funding arrangements that guarantee full site restoration once operations conclude. This commitment provides confidence that environmental and land‑use outcomes will be responsibly managed over the entirety of the project lifecycle.
Finally, the annual community benefit payments—$382,500 per year plus CPI over 35 years—represent a substantial and enduring contribution to the local community, supporting initiatives that can strengthen social, cultural, and economic wellbeing.
For these reasons, I support the approval of the Merino Solar Farm project and consider it a positive, forward‑looking development for the Goulburn region.

Please see attached PDF with full objection.