IT'S "light on detail", but councillor John Fry says he supports, based on what he knows so far, a $200 million solar farm proposed for Eglinton.
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However, Cr Fry says Neoen, the French renewable energy company behind the proposal, will have to manage its relations with the Bathurst community carefully to give the project the best chance of widespread public support.
Neoen will hold a "community drop-in session" this Thursday to outline its plans for the 200 megawatt solar farm, which the company says will create more than 230 jobs during construction.
"In principle, it is great," Cr Fry said. "But it's very light on detail."
He said he understands there are three major transmission lines running through the proposed site, including a line that feeds out towards Parkes and Dubbo and back to Sydney via Mt Piper.
"So it [the solar farm] has state network implications, especially if they put a battery on it," he said.
A solar farm proposed by Photon Energy at Brewongle three years ago, which is still before the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, drew vocal opposition from neighbours.
"We will have the same issues with this one, I predict," Cr Fry said.
"That's really up to how Neoen manage their community partnerships."
He said it will be important for the company to be contactable and to answer questions from the public.
On the subject of the company's relations with the public, Cr Fry said he was disappointed that Neoen had proposed the name the Windradyne Solar Farm without talking to the appropriate people.
"I have contacted the direct descendants of Windradyne and that was the first they knew about it [the name]," Cr Fry said.
"They [Neoen] can use that word, but if they want to have proper community partnerships and be mindful of the traditional land managers, the Wiradyuri, they need to talk to the Wiradyuri about using that name.
"It's just not polite. It's insensitive to use that."
Neoen, for its part, is calling the project the Windradyne Solar Farm at this stage, but has said community members will be able to suggest a different name for the project and vote for their preferred name.
Neoen's community drop-in session for the proposed solar farm will be held this Thursday, June 18 from noon to 5pm at The Church Block Cafe on Alexander Street, Eglinton.
Neoen says it will concurrently host a virtual community drop-in session for those who are unable to attend.
