Solar farms are essential for the energy sustainability for remote regions of Australia. As part of a larger scheme for improving local and regional capacity to reduce reliance on costly power supplies. I support this project due to the strategic placement of the solar farm and its long-term benefits.

I object to the project for the following reasons:
We have solar panels on our roof (which, by the way, is where they belong and can't be seen) but our energy bills have continued to increase so I can't see any personal benefit.
Goulburn Airport was considered for Sydney's second airport a ew years ago but was deemed unsuitable due to the 295 days per year it is fog-bound. We do not understand how a solar farm in the same are could be considered viable.
Gundary creek is home to multiple species of frogs, birds and fish. We are concerned what impact leeching from the farm will have on this ecosystem.
The suicide rate of farmers has increased over the last decade due to multiple reasons including flood, drought, bushfires and increasing tariffs. We are deeply concerned that this solar farm overtaking our agricultural land will add even more to the farmers mental burden.
It is widely known that solar farms decrease surrounding land value by up to 30%. We have no intention of throwing away approximately $750k that we have worked all our lives for, and paid tax on, for the sake of a solar farm.
We have not received any timely communication from the company concerned, to advise that there are plans to construct a solar farm in our neighborhood. Consultation is a mandatory requirement in these proposals and therefore legal processes have not been followed, let alone met.
We moved to Gundary 27 years ago for a tree change due to my husbands health. Please don't scar our beautiful country landscape with thousand of ugly solar panels and cause his health to deteriorate any more.
Due to the recent solar farm fire at Dubbo, we are greatly concerned about the 'heat bank' these solar panels are known to cause. We would prefer not to be victims of raging bushfires such as the Victorians have recently been.
We are not against renewable energy but prefer to see it be developed in an appropriate area, not prime agricultural land. Goulburn was built on the sheeps back, not on the back of solar panels.

Merino Solar Farm and BESS will provide a stable clean, renewable energy source for decades to come. It reduces the need for burning fossil fuels. It will create directly and indirectly around 450 jobs and inject a massive income to local, often impoverished by lack of investment rural community. Project will support local business owners, farmers and will enable shading for grazing animals which is known to reduce animal stress and increase yield for farmers taking advantage of these types of power plants. It will serve as a benchmark for new generations of Australians showcasing that renewable, clean energy source can be strong enough to drive industry and population growth. Project is located in excellent spot connecting to a backbone of NSW-VIC transmission. Grid Forming BESS provides system strength and security for Australians and lowers the energy prices - with estimated 1-2% of NSW state generation this project will have real impact on lowering electricity prices for all of us. In contrast with older philosophy of building standalone BESS only plant - this hybrid PV+BESS power plant will rely mostly on its own renewable solar generation - not another pure-play standalone energy Round Trip Efficiency net-negative standalone BESS that shaves off the cheap prices and builds the business case on speculation/arbitrage of somebody's else energy generation but a real hybrid system that ACTUALLY generates and injects new energy into grid using self-harvested SUN while maintaining all grid system benefits of standalone BESS without moral dilemma burden, and when prices are too low it stores it and then deploys its own generated energy - a win-win-win situation. It is the only widely realistic, clean and fast deployable hybrid power plant - no coal, no gas, no pollution, no huge windmills, no nuclear, no dams, no risks. It is our moral obligation as humans of 21st century to harvest energy from the Sun for free rather than keep burning fossil fuels if we have already this technology available - money is important, but not everything in life of Australians, we are strong unique and innovative nation that cares about the environment and nature that we are blessed to have.

The Merino energy project is a very well considered project, and one that will bring a huge economic boost to the community, and also provide enormous support to the farmers of the land. I fully support this project.

I am in full support of the Merino Solar Farm project. This development will make a significant contribution to New South Wales' necessary transition to fully renewable energy production. Solar energy is abundant and relatively easy to harness, while producing zero harmful emissions. We need as much solar power as we can produce.

This project focuses on delivering high-impact energy solutions that extend beyond simple capacity additions. The initiative is built on several key pillars designed to ensure long-term value for the national grid, the regional economy, and local communities:

Driving the Energy Transition: The project is committed to accelerating Australia’s path toward a low-carbon future by integrating high-capacity renewable energy into the national electricity market.

Regional Economic Growth: These operations serve as catalysts for local development, creating approximately 500 jobs during the construction phase and providing stable, long-term employment for 10–12 specialists over the project's 30-year operational lifespan.

Enhancing Energy Security: By combining solar generation with large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), the project provides reliable, dispatchable power that stabilizes the grid and ensures a secure energy supply for future generations.

Responsible Land Stewardship: EDP Renewables prioritizes "co-existence" models, ensuring that infrastructure works in harmony with existing agricultural practices to maintain the productivity and integrity of the land.

Climate Leadership: Every gigawatt deployed through this initiative is a direct contribution to national emissions reduction targets, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change through well-planned, sustainable infrastructure.

This project is not merely an asset deployment; it is a strategic effort to engineer a resilient and inclusive energy ecosystem that provides lasting benefits to the communities it serves.

I support this project, namely because I believe the company is sincere in co-creating with the communities to bring clean energy to Australia. This project will contribute to supporting local livelihoods in the area. Furthermore, this is planned to operate alongside agriculture, allowing energy production and farming to thrive together.

I am writing in support of the proposed Merino Solar Farm in Goulburn. It is intended to deliver tangible, long-term benefits for the local community and the wider region and we sincerely wish that these benefits are made known to all so that the project can be considered based on its merits.

These benefits include local employment opportunities during construction (500 jobs) and ongoing operations (10 to 12 jobs), engagement of local contractors and service providers where practicable, and sustained investment in the region over the life of the project.

The project will be delivered and operated in New South Wales by a locally based team, ensuring an ongoing on-the-ground presence and clear accountability to the community. This local delivery is supported by EDP's international experience in developing and operating similar renewable energy projects, allowing proven practices to be applied in a way that is responsive to local conditions. In addition, the solar park will contribute to regional energy resilience by adding new generation capacity, supporting the transition of the electricity system while coexisting with surrounding land uses.

Thank you for the receiving this submission of support.