THE company behind a proposed solar farm at Eglinton says trees will be protected at the site and the land beneath the panels will continue to be productive for agriculture.
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Neoen was responding to concerns from Lachlan Rendall, a former landowner in the area where the solar farm is proposed, that the development could harm a large tree plantation planted by the East Saltram Landcare Group.
"These trees were planted 30 years ago to slow the water flow in storms and provide habitat for native birds and animals and if you take them away, you risk the whole area flooding," Mr Rendall told the Advocate last week.
"We're talking about a huge area here [1250 acres], the biggest lot of prime agricultural land in the Bathurst basin.
"This is not a criticism of solar power, I just feel the developers could find a better location for this project."
The $200 million solar farm project is proposed for a private property on Thomas Drive, off Eleven Mile Drive.
Neoen head of development Garth Heron said two of the advantages of the proposed site are the relatively few trees compared with surrounding land and the fact the trees within the project boundary are concentrated along the gullies.
"When Neoen designs the solar farm, these gullies will always be protected," he said.
"We consider these gullies an important part of biodiversity exclusion zones.
"Impacts on biodiversity across the site will be assessed during the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement, which we will be preparing over the course of the next six to 12 months with the help of biodiversity experts.
"They will undertake extensive studies and surveys to identify and detail how we can minimise impacts across the site.
"Neoen has also contacted the local Landcare co-ordinator and is looking forward to getting further local Landcare groups' input as the project progresses.''
Addressing the criticism that the Eglinton project would mean the loss of prime agricultural land, Mr Heron said all five of Neoen's operational solar farms "now combine sheep grazing with energy generation so that the land beneath and beside the solar panels will continue to be productive agricultural land".
"Graziers on our solar farms are reporting that this co-location supports high stocking rates, particularly during drought conditions where the solar panels tend to concentrate moisture and promote better pastural growth," he said.
Mr Rendall also cited Bathurst Regional Council's long-term plans for residential development as a point against the solar farm location.
"Both Laffing Waters and Eglinton are considered prime growth areas by council, and if these two developments meet in the middle, the solar farm will be right in the centre of it," he said.
Mr Heron said the potential for the area to be re-zoned in the future for residential development is a matter for Bathurst Regional Council, but said Neoen notes that residential development "is likely to have a higher impact on trees and agricultural land".
Neoen has emphasised the proposed project is only at the very early stages, but the company wants to hear from the community.
