NSW Farmers urges producers to have say on renewables review

Reg Kidd, chair of the NSW Farmers Energy Transition Working Group, said it was vital to provide strong input into the Agriculture Commissioner's review into on-farm renewable energy facilities.

"NSW Farmers has been calling for the role of the NSW Agriculture Commissioner to be expanded to champion the interests of farmers and regional communities in the energy transition," Mr Kidd said.

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"We welcome this opportunity for rural landholders to engage with the government so there can be better understanding and consideration of agricultural land in strategic planning.

"What we want to see is the highest benefit for regions that provides opportunities and avoid negative impacts."

A task force will review the legal and policy framework for "managing issues and opportunities that arise from the forecasted growth in the renewable energy and agricultural sectors in NSW over the next 20 years."

It will consider the adequacy of the framework associated with the development of renewable energy projects in NSW, focusing on wind and solar projects.

It comes as a Lightsource bp plans a $540 million 400 megawatt peak solar farm on the Gundary Plains near Goulburn. The project is planned for a 632 hectare site stretching from 1013 Windellama Road to Kooringaroo Road, off Mountain Ash Road.

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The state significant development is in the early stages, with initial consultation underway. But it has already sparked concerns among farmers in the area, worried about its impact on agriculture, land values, amenity, visuals and its location on 'prime grazing land.'

The company has countered this by saying it planned to meet with potentially affected people. Further, sheep could graze underneath the panels.

Goulburn and Upper Lachlan NSW Farmers branches met with graziers on April 19. Lightsource bp's consultants, Umwelt, also presented at the meeting.

The Post understands the branches are yet to form a firm position, given the proposal is in its early stages.

The company is holding an information session at the Bungonia markets on Saturday, April 30 from 9am to 1pm. Other sessions will be held in May, along with other community consultation throughout the planning process.

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Elsewhere in Goulburn Mulwaree, an EIS is being prepared for another solar farm at Carrick. Terrain Solar is planning the 150MW, with an optional battery storage system.

Meantime, Mr Kidd said there was a finite amount of productive agricultural land worked by farmers to produce food for NSW. He believed NSW Farmers had taken a leading role in ensuring there was a balance between production and other land uses.

"So far the custodians of our rural land have been all but ignored in how to best achieve renewable energy installation in our traditional rural areas, and this review will give a voice to the damage done to date, and to the opportunity to do it right," he said.

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"There is a vital need to plan upfront, not mitigate damage, so that the environment, urban and peri urban expansion and infrastructure on rural land coexist, while maintaining the productivity and cultural values of rural NSW.

"Industrial installations such as solar and wind energy plants are vital to our ongoing energy requirements and can deliver real benefits to rural land owners and communities; they just need to be in the right balance, and not divide communities and erode hundreds of years of economic and social fabric."

To access the issues paper and to provide a written submission, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/lup. Submissions close 5pm, May 23, 2022.

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