Posted: 15.11.2023
The community will be able to have their say in a public meeting on a proposal by Elgin Energy to develop a 60MW solar farm, associated infrastructure and battery storage.
The proposed Glanmire Solar Farm is a State Significant Development application (SSD 21208499) located on the southern side of the Great Western Highway approximately 10km east of Bathurst. The decision on whether the Glanmire Solar Farm will be given planning approval has been referred to the Independent Planning Commission because the Department of Planning and Environment received at least 50 unique submissions objecting to the proposal.
Commissioners Dr Sheridan Coakes, Chris Wilson and Richard Pearson have been appointed by the Commission Chair to determine the development application.
A public meeting on the proposed Glanmire Solar Farm will be held at Rydges Mt Panorama Bathurst (1 Conrod Straight, Bathurst NSW 2795) on Thursday 30th November 2023 at 2:00pm (AEDT), with an additional day on Friday 1 December 2023 if needed to ensure all registered speakers can have their say.
The Commission has access to all previous written submissions made to the Department on this proposal, 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 recommended conditions of consent. These documents are available on the Commission’s website https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/2023/11/glanmire-solar-farm.
The key issues identified in the Department’s whole-of-government assessment of the development application include landuse compatibility, loss of agricultural land and visual impact. Other issues identified include biodiversity, decommissioning and rehabilitation, Aboriginal cultural heritage, noise, dust, hazards, bushfire risk, water, social impacts and traffic.
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 12:00pm (AEDT) on Monday 27 November 2023.
Written submissions can be lodged via the ‘Make a Submission’ portal on the Commission’s website: https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/make-a-submission. The Commission will also accept submissions made via post or email.
Written submissions will be accepted until 5:00pm (AEDT) on Friday 8 December 2023.
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 virtually (i.e. via Zoom video link or telephone). The public meeting is intended to 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 30 November 2023 becomes fully booked, the Commission will endeavour to schedule a second day on Friday 1 December 2023. 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.