A proposal for a solar farm near Gunnedah is being assessed by the Department of Planning and Environment.
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Photon Energy is proposing to establish a 300-hectare solar farm on Orange Grove Road and submitted an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in April. More than 50 public submissions were made in response to the report.
“Since the EIS submissions from the community closed, Photon Energy undertook a thorough assessment of the issues raised and recently published the Responses to Submissions for the proposed solar farm,” Photon Energy’s business development manager Robert Ibrahim said.
“The main issues raised by the community revolved around the flood impact assessments and Aboriginal cultural heritage consultation, reviews of biodiversity assessment and use of biophysical strategic agricultural land.
“Based on community feedback we have improved the proposal in a number of ways. One example of this is a new fence configuration designed to reduce blockage and minimise the impacts during a flood event. This new style of fencing will be compliant with the Carroll-Boggabri Flood Management Plan 2006.”
Solar report evokes strong resident reaction
Overland Sun Farming is also proposing a solar farm on Orange Grove Road and submitted an EIS in early June. The Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) received 66 public submissions in response to the report.
Overland Sun Farming did not respond to NVI’s request for an update by the time of publication.
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