Community drop-in sessions for proposed Maules Creek Solar Farm

Initial plans to construct a solar farm and battery energy storage system at Maules Creek will be the subject of community drop-in sessions for people to learn more about a development which could supply power to 40,000 homes in NSW.

The proponent, FRV, hopes to submit a development application later this year with the project ready to construct as early as 2027.

FRV has also said it anticipates it will make upfront and ongoing financial contributions to the community to be spent on local projects.

“The Maules Creek Solar Farm will provide a critical, new source of energy for NSW, capable of powering 40,000 homes,” Rob Beckett, project development manager, FRV Australia said.

“The project will create up to 150 construction jobs and four to five permanent jobs.

“We are committed to making up-front and ongoing financial contributions to the community to be spent on local projects.”

Narrabri Shire’s economic development manager Bill Birch said council is interested in a solar company investing resources into the area.

“Council likes the fact that it would add to the diversity of industry in Narrabri Shire,” Mr Birch said.

Mr Birch said council is grateful for the capital investment, job opportunities and how the proposed development might support ancillary businesses in the shire.

“It will be part of powering NSW from Narrabri,” Mr Birch said.

The Maules Creek Solar Farm will provide a new source of reliable green energy to NSW.

The project will be developed in an environmentally sustainable manner, FRV said, sensitive to local environmental constraints, and in partnership with the local community.

FRV and its consultants have undertaken several visits to the site, with investigations commencing in early 2022.

FRV has contracted experienced environmental consultants, Pitt and Sherry, to undertake detailed environmental assessments on the site and its surroundings.

Those studies include but are not limited to biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, historic heritage, flooding, landscape, noise, traffic, agriculture and an analysis of any hazards, including bushfires.

Based on the findings of those studies, FRV considers that the site is suitable for a solar farm.

The site has excellent solar irradiation and is largely flat, making it ideal for a solar farm, information states. There are low levels of environmental impact – the land has already been largely cleared for agriculture, meaning that it will not be necessary to remove significant stands of native vegetation.

The site is very close to the Narrabri to Tamworth transmission line, making it easier to transport the clean energy that the solar farm would generate.

There are no neighbours within one kilometre of the solar farm, limiting impacts on neighbouring properties.

Bringing renewable energy to the North West will bring added diversity to the local economy, FRV says.

In addition to the jobs created, there will be many opportunities for local contractors to get involved with construction of the project.

During construction, FRV and its contractors will need to procure a range of goods and services from local suppliers.

It may be necessary to source a portion of the construction workforce from outside of the region.

At Narrabri Shire Council’s request, those workers would be housed at the Narrabri and Boggabri Civeo Worker Camps, with those workers supporting local businesses in the region throughout the construction period.

FRV will also set funds aside to contribute to community enhancements over the life of the project. The precise terms of this community benefit fund still need to be negotiated with Narrabri Shire Council, however, FRV will aim to have those details finalised by the time a development application is lodged with the Department of Planning.

It is likely that the fund would have an up-front component and an annual payment.

FRV is currently seeking feedback from locals regarding community projects they feel would benefit the community.

It is also likely that FRV will need to undertake some upgrades to public roads within Maules Creek, which would have the added benefit of improving local driver safety.

As advertised in The Courier recently, a community drop-in session will be held at the Maitland Street Community Kiosk on Tuesday, May 28, from 3pm to 6pm.

Another session will be held on Wednesday, May 29 outside Hassabs Fashion, 159 Merton Street, Boggabri, from 12pm to 2pm and at Maules Creek Hall on the same day from 5pm to 7pm.

Attendees for the Maules Creek Hall session are asked to RSVP by Friday, May 24 to [email protected]