July 7, 2023
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington has written to the South Burnett Regional Council highlighting concerns by some local residents about the proposed Tumuruu Solar Farm at Taromeo.
Mrs Frecklington said she met residents recently at Emerson Road to discuss their concerns and see firsthand how the proposed development would affect their properties.
“I support the community’s concerns about this proposed development, which would be surrounded on three sides by rural residential properties. At least 44 homes would be direct neighbours and at least another 90 neighbours are in direct vicinity of the site,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The South Burnett is already seeing the serious impacts and stress the Kingaroy Solar Farm is creating for its neighbours, and yet here we have another developer trying to encroach on rural communities.
“Given local residents have chosen to live in this location due to its quiet lifestyle and rural outlook, as per the zoning, it is concerning that a renewable energy facility and major electricity infrastructure such as this is being proposed for this land.
“Just some of the issues raised include concerns that the neighbours will look directly at the solar farm with setbacks only 15 metres from their boundary, property devaluation, insurance increases or inability to insure their property, fire risk, road safety and the impact on local wildlife and environment.
“Assessment of solar farm developments are the responsibility of Local Government and on behalf of the community I have highlighted these concerns with South Burnett Regional Council.”
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The proposed Tumuruu solar farm has a projected life of 30 years.
Proponents, Australian Solar Enterprises (ASE) say the project, as currently planned, would produce 370MW of electricity.
Solar panels would cover about 400ha of the 700ha site at 341 Bowman Road; Powerlink transmission lines already cross the property.
ASE has previously stated it is addressing the risk of insurance premiums rising by including a waiver of fault in its policies that specifically names the adjacent landowners and their entities.
Footnote: South Burnett Regional Council originally knocked back the Development Application for the Kingaroy Solar Farm but the then-proponents, Terrain Solar, challenged this in the Planning and Environment Court. Terrain’s appeal was allowed and the original application was approved with some minor changes.
- External link: Tumuruu website
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