Glanmire Action Group have reaffirmed their opposition to Elgin Energy's proposed 60 megawatt solar farm on 160 hectares of land at Glanmire with a series of information sessions across Friday and Saturday.
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The sessions coincide with Elgin Energy's own consultation with residents neighbouring 4823 Great Western Highway, the proposed location for the site.
Glanmire landowner Peter Hennessy said the group opposes the development for a number of reasons, including lack of research, questionable financial benefits to Bathurst and an inappropriate use of agricultural land.
"Elgin had a preliminary meeting with us in November and for this upcoming consultation, we as a group expect they won't be able to financially guarantee their debts regarding the project," Mr Hennessy said.
"They've picked this location off a map without any research; there's no financial benefit to Bathurst as far as electricity savings go, and the proposed site is classified as high-quality agricultural land, with experts estimating its gross value at $248,000 annually."
The group previously opposed a similar proposal at Brewongle, which which was eventually withdrawn.
Conversely, a statement from Elgin Energy said "the chosen location is not identified as highest quality agricultural land or 'Biophysical Strategic Agricultural Land'."
"The site was chosen for its high solar irradiance, cost-effective grid connection with capacity and relatively flat and clear land with few environmental constraints."
The statement further claims the "solar farm can provide many local benefits."
"The project will produce enough clean energy to power approximately 24,000 homes and offset more than 100,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually."
"That is enough energy to power all the homes in Bathurst [17,431 homes recorded in 2016 census], and will also contribute to NSW renewable energy targets."
The statement also said "solar farms are low impact installations and, once operational, the land can be dual purpose and utilised for clean energy production and sheep farming."
Bathurst mayor Bobby Bourke said he is supportive of the Glanmire Action Group's stance, but will also consider Elgin Energy's position on the subject.
"It doesn't seem right to develop solar on prime agricultural land, and would be supportive of somewhere where the land is of lesser value," Cr Bourke said.
The group feels any local solar projects should be sited within the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone identified by the state government.
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