The Independent Planning Commission in NSW has cancelled a proposed public meeting to discuss the future of a proposed solar project after no one registered to speak at the meeting, despite more than 80 written submissions.
The IPC on Friday said it had scheduled a public meeting at the Rawsonville Soldiers Memorial Hall next Thursday (February 12) to discuss Edify Energy’s proposed 100 megawatt (MW) Burroway solar project in the state’s central west.
But it says it has decided to cancel it “due to the commission receiving no speaker registrations.” It says written submissions are still open until the following week (February 17).
The Burroway solar project is one of a number of renewable and energy storage projects in NSW referred to the IPC, mostly because of long distance objectors, many of whom live interstate.
In the case of Burroway, located near Narromine, there were some 81 objections – none within 5 kms of the project, but 18 from interstate, and five from special interest groups, including the Queensland-based agitator Rainforest Reserves.
See: Another two big solar and battery projects sent to independent panel by long distance objectors
Many of the submissions were focused on the reliability of renewable energy, and the loss of agricultural land. Rainforest Reserves said the project could cause “substantial, irreversible harm to the Dubbo region.”
In response to submissions from state agencies and local councils, Edify amended its traffic management plans, and agreed to create temporary workers accommodation to house the estimated 250 construction workers.
At a recent public meeting held to discuss a battery storage project near Deniliquin, only two speakers showed up to speak, or listen. There were no local written objections to the project, but there many long distance objectors, some of whom appeared confused about the location and even the technology.
See: Long distance antis force review of big battery on edge of town, despite no opposition within 50 kms of project
The IPC approved the Deniliquin battery project, which will be located on land once used as a gravel pit, and next to an existing substation with multiple transmission lines passing overhead.
The IPC is obliged to review all projects that receive more than 50 objections. Some projects, however, do receive significant amounts of local feedback, such as for the proposed Kingswood battery near Armidale, which this week was awarded a long term underwriting agreement for long duration storage by the state.
See also: New England locals force huge battery project proposal to go before independent panel
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Giles Parkinson
Giles Parkinson is founder and editor-in-chief of Renew Economy, and founder and editor of its EV-focused sister site The Driven. He is the co-host of the weekly Energy Insiders Podcast. Giles has been a journalist for more than 40 years and is a former deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review. You can find him on LinkedIn and on Twitter.
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