02 April 2026
The NSW Independent Planning Commission has today approved the Dinawan Solar Farm (SSD 50725959) located approximately 30km south of Coleambally and 30km north of Jerilderie, within the South West Renewable Energy Zone and the Murrumbidgee Local Government Area.
Dinawan Energy Hub Trust, a wholly owned subsidiary of Spark Renewables (Applicant), sought approval for an 800 megawatt (MW) solar farm with a 356MW/1574MW-hour battery energy storage system, and associated infrastructure including substations, a temporary accommodation camp and temporary construction compounds.
This State significant development (SSD) application was referred to the NSW Independent Planning Commission for determination because more than 50 public objections were made to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure during its assessment period.
The two-member Panel, comprising Suellen Fitzgerald (Chair) and Simon Smith met with key stakeholders, conducted a site inspection and locality tour, received 43 written submissions, and held community stakeholder meetings where they heard from 13 community members.
In its Statement of Reasons for Decision, the Commission found that the project would assist in “improving grid stability and energy security” and aligns with NSW Government commitments to transition to renewable energy. The project is expected to create approximately 400 full-time jobs during construction and 10 ongoing operational jobs. The project is also expected to generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 142,000 homes.
The Commission considered concerns raised relating to cumulative impacts, traffic and roads, noise, contamination, social impacts, emergency planning, local infrastructure and insurances. The Commission has imposed conditions of consent to minimise adverse impacts of the project, including requiring the Applicant to:
- prepare and implement a traffic management plan which includes measures to minimise potential cumulative traffic impacts with other projects;
- comply with set construction hours, noise management protocols, and noise monitoring and reporting;
- prepare and implement a fire safety study and an emergency plan;
- prepare an Accommodation and Employment Strategy and an Accommodation Camp Management Plan and;
- prepare a Soil and Water Management Plan and an Environmental Management Strategy.
All documents relating to the assessment and determination of this proposal can be found on the Commission’s website: www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/dinawan-solar-farm