A planned public meeting on the proposed Sundown Solar Farm near Inverell has been cancelled after only one person registered to speak against the proposal, in a further sign the project faces little substantive local opposition.
The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) had scheduled the meeting for Wednesday, 1 July at Elsmore Memorial Hall, giving locals a chance to address the commissioners assessing the 360 megawatt solar and battery project at Spring Mountain, about 30 kilometres east of Inverell.
The only registration received was from an elected Inverell Shire Council member who is already separately meeting with the panel about the application, making a public session unnecessary.
A transcript of the IPC’s meeting with the Council will be published on the Commission’s website in accordance with its Transparency Policy.
Written submissions remain open until 11:59pm on Wednesday, 8 July, and can be lodged through the IPC’s online portal at ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/sundown-solar-farm.
The cancellation reflects the low volume of substantive local opposition the project attracted during the Environmental Impact Statement process. While the Commission received more than 50 unique objections, triggering its involvement as consent authority, the bulk came from outside the region, with submissions from as far as Brisbane, Wangaratta and Sydney suburbs. Local supporters pointed to economic and road infrastructure benefits, while a small number of genuine local objections raised specific concerns about traffic management, cattle grids and water use during construction.
The project, proposed by Canadian-owned Recurrent Energy, would generate enough electricity for more than 150,000 NSW homes each year. It would connect directly into an existing 330 kilovolt transmission line that already crosses the site, substantially reducing its footprint and impact on neighbouring properties.
Sheep will continue to graze within portions of the solar array throughout the project’s 35-year operating life, and the site will be rehabilitated and returned to full agricultural use at decommissioning. A community benefits fund will also be established with annual payments to the local community.
The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has completed its whole-of-government assessment. IPC Commissioners Sarah Dinning and Michael Wright have been appointed to determine the application, with key issues including land use compatibility, traffic and transport, worker accommodation and biodiversity.
Written submissions on the Sundown Solar Farm can still be made at ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/sundown-solar-farm until July 8.
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