Posted: 01.07.2024
The community will be able to have their say in a public meeting on the Wallaroo Solar Farm, a State significant development application (SSD-9261283) by Wallaroo Solar Farm Pty Ltd for the development of a 100 MW solar farm and associated infrastructure, including battery storage.
The proposed Wallaroo Solar Farm would be located approximately three kilometres south of the rural area of Wallaroo and adjacent to the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory border in the Yass Valley. The decision on whether the Wallaroo Solar Farm will be given development consent has been referred to the NSW Independent Planning Commission because the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure received at least 50 submissions objecting to the proposal and the local council has also objected.
Commissioners Mr Andrew Mills (Panel Chair), Dr Bronwyn Evans AM and Mr Richard Pearson have been appointed to determine the development application.
The key issues identified in the Department’s whole-of-government assessment of the development application are land use compatibility, visual impact and the energy transition.
The Commission has access to all previous written submissions made to the Department on this proposed development, however it is particularly helpful for the Commission Panel to also hear the community’s views about the Department’s assessment of the key issues and conditions of consent. These documents are available on the Commission’s website.
The public meeting on the Wallaroo Solar Farm will be held at the Murrumbateman Community Hall located at 19 East St, Murrumbateman NSW 2582 on Thursday 18 July 2024 (10:00AM AEST start). Anyone wishing to present at the public meeting must pre-register on the Commission’s website using the Speaker Registration Form.
The deadline for speaker registrations is 5:00PM AEST on Friday 12 July 2024.
The Commission is also inviting the public to make written submissions which can be lodged via the ‘Make a Submission’ portal on the Commission’s website: https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/make-a-submission-forms/wallaroo-solar-farm. The Commission will also accept submissions made via post or email.
Written submissions will be accepted until 5:00pm AEST on Thursday 25 July 2024.
Please note
Registered speakers for the public meeting will be asked to indicate a preference for presenting to the Commission Panel either in-person at the venue or via telephone. At this point, the public meeting may also be livestreamed on the Commission’s website. Please note that if the demand for either in-person or virtual attendance is low, the Commission may opt to conduct the meeting either entirely virtually, or entirely in person. Similarly, if demand for speaker timeslots is high and Thursday 18 July 2024 becomes fully booked, the Commission will endeavour to schedule a second day . If either of these scenarios occur, this will be fully communicated to all registered speakers in advance, including how the Commission can assist people to attend the meeting virtually. Please read the Speaker Registration Form carefully, and provide as much detail as possible. These flexible arrangements ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to be heard, while also making best use of public resources.
We recognise the importance of community participation in our decision-making process. Using our ‘Make a submission’ form is the easiest way for you to make a submission on cases currently before the Commission.