We oppose the construction of not one, not two, but three closely positioned large-scale solar energy farms within the Richmond Valley Council area approximately 20 minutes south of Casino, NSW. 

In particular, we oppose Korea Zinc's subsidiary, Ark Energy, and their proposed 500megawatt Richmond Valley Solar Farm, one of the largest in the country covering approximately 2000 acres of prime agricultural land in Northern Rivers NSW.

We also oppose the immediately adjacent 100megawatt Myrtle Creek Solar Farm proposed by Terrain Solar that will cover a further 1048 acres on the same property.

Lastly, we oppose Swedish owned ESCO Pacific's Summerville Solar Farm, a 90megawatt large-scale project with an approximate 890 acre footprint situated in Rappville within 2km from the aforementioned projects.

In total, almost 4000 acres of prime RU1 zoned agricultural land, much of which has been earmarked by NSW Department Primary Industries as State Significant Agricultural Land, will be destroyed along with native wildlife habitats and watercourses, through the construction and operation of these massive solar energy farms.

The individual and cumulative adverse impacts created for local individuals, families, property owners, businesses, livestock, native flora and fauna is significant considering the intrinsic nature of large-scale solar farms and their effect on the local environment.

Nearby residents are concerned. They are concerned about the destruction and degradation of prime farmland, nationally significant waterways, native habitats and the future wellbeing, health, safety and prosperity of families and farmers exposed to it all.

Our key points of concern are:

• The subjecting of locals to an increased likelihood and impact of extreme bushfire hazard through: 

1. Increased local day/night ambient and ground temperatures as solar panels convert less than 50% of solar radiation into electricity; with the remaining solar energy being absorbed and thermally radiated by the panelling infrastructure
2. The solar farm sites and surrounding areas being classified as Category 1 Bushfire-Prone land
3. Increasing the availability of fuel during fire events (panels, cabling, building structures, vehicles and lithium battery banks).

 

• The release of highly toxic carcinogenic chemicals (cadmium telluride, gallium arsenide, phosphorus, boron) within solar panels into the local atmosphere, watercourses and soil during fire and hail storm events; all of which will end up being consumed by local families and farmers as our food, livestock and water is produced on the land. This will also impact the food coming out of our region from the neighbouring commercial agriculture ventures such as horticulture, honey and beef (in what is supposed to be the beef capital of NSW).

 

• Significant increase in the frequency and intensity of local and downstream flooding as all three solar farms are located on land designated as flood prone. This will cut off access to properties and emergency services during flooding events. Any infrastructure such as fencing and solar arrays will restrict waterflow and capture debris flowing towards Bungawalbin, Physics and Myrtle creeks. Moreover, any required earthworks and terrain modification will undoubtedly increase run-off and impact the soils current absorption rate.

 

• The downstream effects on the surrounding Bungawalbin wetland cluster, a unique riverine environment identified as the nations largest tidal waterpool. All three proposed large-scale solar farms will produce run-off into the Bungawalbin, Physics and Myrtle creeks which feed this wetland cluster. Any chemicals used to control grass/weeds and any toxins released into the ground during fire or damage events will end up in these creeks. Any vegetation clearing required for solar infrastructure will also risk increased downstream siltation and water turbidity.

 

• Impact on important native wildlife habitats that would be destroyed, particularly that of the critically endangered Coastal Emu, of which there are fewer than 50 left, and the known local Koala population. These have been sighted on the land for the proposed project, and the surrounding properties.

 

• Adverse impacts to local thermal comfort levels and primary production sustainability related to the unmitigable photovoltaic heat island effect. A specific proven effect of large-scale solar farms whereby the local area's ambient temperatures, both day and night, are raised, directly affecting the viability of the surrounding farms and a comfortable, healthy habitation for residents and livestock (including heat-related illness).

 

• Disadvantaging the surrounding neighbours through severe devaluation of their properties and the degradation of the intrinsic rural amenity of the Ellangowan, Myrtle Creek, Rappville areas.

 

• The health and safety of young children in the area exposed to increased dust, radiated heat from solar panelling, glint and glare from the solar arrays, noise during construction, and any toxins released into our water, air and soil sources through solar panels or lithium batteries damage/combustion.

 

• The capacity and experience of local RFS to safely and effectively contain and/or extinguish lithium battery/solar panel fuelled fires at the chosen large-scale solar farm sites, without diminishing or compromising their ability to protect and preserve the lives and properties of the local community. 

 

The electricity generated will have a negligible effect on consumer electricity prices. As explained on Korea Zinc's own website, the Richmond Valley Solar Farm will be integral to offset carbon emissions related to their other ventures; albeit to the detriment and destruction of prime NSW agricultural land and its neighbouring Australians.

Please support our request to stop the NSW Department of Planning from approving the proposed Richmond Valley Solar Farm, Myrtle Creek Solar Farm and Summerville Solar Farm within the Richmond Valley council area and nearby Northern Rivers NSW rural communities by signing the petition.

Thank you

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