Blind Creek Solar Farm Planning Agreement
Consultation has concluded
Council has endorsed the draft Planning Agreement for the Blind Creek Solar Farm for public exhibition.
The project has been moved to a larger, more suitable location with an increased buffer from neighbouring properties and will require a new development approval as State Significant Development. Council has recently submitted comments on the Environmental Impact Statement for this project.
The proposed new location is in the vicinity of the Canberra Sand and Gravel quarry and the neighbouring Capital Wind Farm. The site is flat, sandy country which is naturally clear of trees and much of the land has been used for grazing sheep and cattle, with some cropping.
The new proposal is for a 350MW solar energy farm with an estimated construction cost of $350M. This cost does not include any associated substation (battery) estimated to cost $50-$100M.
This solar farm is expected to operate for around 30 years and at the end of this time it could be decommissioned, and the land returned to its original condition or repurposed.
Draft Planning Agreement
There are a few key features of the current draft Planning Agreement. These are in the order that they appear in the draft Planning Agreement:
Parties - there has been a change in the name of the Developer which is now a Trust.
Clause 4.2 Undertaking and Acknowledgement - This outlines the type of infrastructure that contributions will be spent on. Specifically, the funds in the Planning Agreement will be for:
a) Installing, maintaining, and operating a pool at Bungendore; and
b) Installing, maintaining, and operating other facilities within the Bungendore Sports Hub precinct.
Schedule 3 Development Contributions (Clause 4) - This identifies the contribution amounts, review mechanism and the timing of contributions. The total value of the agreement will result in contributions of approximately $1,235,000 over 20 years. The first payment of contributions will be triggered at the commercial operation commencement date which is defined in the Operative Provisions part of the draft Planning Agreement.
Schedule 5 Explanatory Note - This is a plain English summary of the objectives, nature and effect of the proposed agreement required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations 2021.
Schedule 6 Security Terms - This approach has been insisted on by the other party to the draft Planning Agreement and is being offered in lieu of having the Planning Agreement registered on the title of the land. It provides for security of $150,000.
The original letters of offer received in July 2021 also referred to a community benefits scheme. These contributions relate to specific arrangements between the proponent and individual landowners and do not involve QPRC. As such the community benefits scheme is no longer included in the draft Planning Agreement.
Have your say
- By completing the survey below by Thursday 25 August 2022
- By email to council@qprc.nsw.gov.au referencing "Blind Creek Solar Farm Planning Agreement" in the subject line
- By mail to PO Box 90, Queanbeyan NSW 2620