June 29, 2019
The Planning and Environment Court has removed a major obstacle to the proposed construction of a 130ha solar farm on the outskirts of Kingaroy.
Terrain Solar lodged a notice of appeal in the court last November against South Burnett Regional Council’s decision to reject its Development Application.
Since then there has mediation between the parties and numerous affidavits lodged with the court.
Seven co-respondents – later reduced to three – joined Council in the matter.
Five were local residents, either living beside or overlooking the proposed development, while two others had interests in land nearby.
The final judgment in the appeal case was handed down by Judge Michael Williamson, QC, on Monday.
After discussions between the parties, Terrain Solar proposed to make slight changes to its Development Application.
These changes were accepted by Council and the three remaining co-respondents.
They included revised vegetation screening, changes to the location of some fencing and a maintenance track, as well as revised landscape buffer zones.
Council CEO Mark Pitt said all parties had now come to an agreement.
He said the matter had been through “its proper and lawful process” and Council would abide by the umpire’s decision.
UPDATE: Terrain Solar managing director Simon Ingram said the judgment had provided the company with the ability to advance the Kingaroy Solar Farm but due to the recency of the decision, there was no exact date yet for construction.
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