The proponents of a $174 million solar project have firmly rejected complaints that the scheme would swallow up agricultural land, despite telling planning authorities the New England "is transforming to a more mixed land use" region.
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The Tilbuster Solar Farm will consume about 310 hectares of agricultural land during the 30-year life of the project.
In a response to public submissions, the proponent said that represented a mere 0.005 per cent of the overall arable land in the region, less than one per cent of highest-quality farm land in the Armidale LGA.
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"Although the construction of the proposal would add a new element to the existing landscape, the surrounding area is expected to be subject to transformation," the report said.
"The proposal site is located within the proposed New England Renewable Energy Zone. Currently, there are 8 approved solar farms and two wind farms in the zone, about half of which are either under construction or operational. Therefore, this region is transforming to a more mixed land use of rural land and renewable energy generation."
The report pointed out the the project site "was not exceptional agricultural land" in the first place.
The company made no changes to the proposal or mitigation measures as a result of the concern, which was raised in four public submissions. It did commit to make additional effort to mitigate the visual impact on the project to neighbours, including vegetation screening.
If approved, the Tilbuster Solar Farm would generate enough renewable energy to power about 48,000 homes, employ 125 people during the construction phase, with 5 jobs to remain once the project is operational.
The project would produce about 150MW of solar energy, plus a 30MW battery at a site about 17 kilometres north of Armidale.
The project is financially substantial enough to be considered of state significance and will be approved or rejected by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
It received nine submissions from the public, six of them objections and two in support of the scheme.
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Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
