THE peak construction workforce for a proposed solar farm at Eglinton would be 350 to 500 people and a road upgrade might be required while it is being built, according to a scoping report for the project.
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The report has been lodged as the first of a number of steps to get approval as a state significant development.
French renewable energy company Neoen wants to build the $200 million, 200MW solar farm on the historic "Cangoura" property on Thomas Drive, off Eleven Mile Drive, but has faced opposition from nearby neighbours.
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Neoen introduced the project at a community session at Eglinton in mid-June and the Cangoura Solar Action Group has since formed to oppose the proposal.
The scoping report outlines the main concerns raised about the project to date, ranging from the visual impact for neighbours to whether agriculture could continue around the panels to the impact on the plantings undertaken by the East Saltram Creek Landcare Group.
The scoping report says many of the concerns will be investigated or assessed in the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project, but does provide some more detailed answers.
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"The current agricultural use of the site consists of cattle grazing, however after construction of the proposal, the landowner would stock the land with sheep (which are more compatible with the infrastructure)," the report says.
In terms of the East Saltram Creek plantings, the scoping report says preliminary consultation "with landowners has identified the location of the Landcare planting areas within the proposal area" and "further investigation will be undertaken during the EIS".
It also says the site design will "avoid areas of higher biodiversity value such as waterways and vegetated areas".
In terms of the visual impact, the scoping report says the proposal design "will consider opportunities to provide vegetative screening at certain locations around the site to assist in mitigating visual impacts" and "adjacent landowners would be consulted to ensure an appropriate level of screening is provided".
The scoping report also provides preliminary photomontages that show the solar farm would be visible on the landscape from Mount Panorama.
The report says the construction period for the project is expected to be 15 to 18 months and the peak construction workforce is expected to be 350 to 550 people.
"It is proposed that these workers would be sourced wherever possible and accommodated within Bathurst," the report says.
Five to eight jobs will then be created during operations.
Heavy vehicles using Thomas Drive during the construction period might mean the road needs to be upgraded and/or repaired and remediated, the scoping report says.
Cangoura Solar Action Group president Andrew Rendall said last month that Neoen had chosen the wrong spot for the solar farm.
"It will be near impossible to farm the land and keep its quality," he said.
"Lack of weed control, fertiliser and suitable management means the pasture will degenerate and become unsustainable over time, particularly with the removal of the trees.
"It certainly won't stand up for long-term grazing by cattle or sheep. Erosion will inevitably follow."
