Newstead Solar Farm Planning Application Report For Newstead 2021 Inc May 2020 i Newstead Solar Farm Planning Application Captains Gully Road Newstead Prepared for Newstead 2021 Inc Version Author Date Description of changes 1 Fi Cotter 07/05/20 Commence Draft 2 Tim Doolan 28/05/20 First draft 3 Fi Cotter 29/05/20 Final draft for client review 4 Fi Cotter 29/05/20 Final Draft Prepared by Energy Forms Level 8, 91 William St, Melbourne P O Box 23040 Docklands 8012 © May 30, 2020 Energy Forms Pty Ltd The information contained in this document produced by Energy Forms and is solely for the use of the Client identified on this page for the purpose for which it has been prepared by Energy Forms and undertakes no duty to or accepts any responsibility to any third party who may rely upon this document. All rights reserved. No section or element of this document may be removed from this document, reproduced, electronically stored or transmitted in any form without the written permission of Energy Forms Pty Ltd. ii Newstead Solar Farm Application for planning permit TABLE of CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 1 2 BACKGROUND 2 3 THE PROJECT 3 3.1 DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY 3 SOLAR ARRAY 3 GRID CONNECTION 4 ACCESS 4 PARKING AREA 4 SETBACK/BUFFER AREAS 4 3.2 CONSTRUCTION PROCESS 6 CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE AND STAGING 6 CONSTRUCTION ACCESS AND FENCING 6 TEMPORARY SIGNAGE 6 3.3 COMMISSIONING 6 PROCESS AND TIMING 6 NUMBER OF STAFF 6 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 7 3.4 DECOMMISSIONING 7 4 SUBJECT SITE AND SURROUNDS 8 4.1 SUBJECT SITE 8 4.2 CULTURAL AND HISTORIC HERITAGE 9 4.3 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS 9 4.4 TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOTECHNICAL CONDITIONS 9 4.5 AGRICULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS 10 4.6 EXISTING ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE 10 4.7 ROAD NETWORK 10 4.8 DWELLINGS 10 4.9 LANDSCAPE VALUES AND OTHER USES 10 4.10 AVIATION FACILITIES 10 5 PLANNING PROVISIONS 11 5.1 PERMIT TRIGGERS 11 5.2 REFERRALS 11 5.3 ZONE 11 5.4 OVERLAYS 13 CLAUSE 43.01 HERITAGE OVERLAY 13 CLAUSE 42.01 ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE OVERLAY 14 CLAUSE 42.03 SIGNIFICANT LANDSCAPE OVERLAY 16 5.5 PARTICULAR PROVISIONS 16 CLAUSE 52.06 CAR PARKING 16 CLAUSE 52.17 NATIVE VEGETATION 16 CLAUSE 53.13 RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITY 17 CLAUSE 59.13 BUILDINGS AND WORKS IN A RURAL ZONE 18 5.6 GENERAL PROVISIONS 18 5.7 PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK 19 5.8 OTHER POLICIES AND GUIDELINES 34 SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES – DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINE (DELWP) 34 CFA GUIDELINES FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY INSTALLATIONS 36 NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CATCHMENT STRATEGY 2013-2019 37 MOUNT ALEXANDER SHIRE COUNCIL RURAL LAND STUDY 2014 37 iii Newstead Solar Farm Application for planning permit 5.9 LEGISLATION 38 PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 1987 (VIC) 38 ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT 2018 (VIC) 38 ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS ACT 1978 39 ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT 1999 39 FLORA AND FAUNA GUARANTEE ACT 1988 (VIC) 40 CLIMATE CHANGE ACT 2017 (VIC) 40 6 PLANNING ASSESSMENT 41 6.1 SITE ANALYSIS 41 6.2 DESIGN RESPONSE 41 6.3 HERITAGE 42 6.4 FLORA AND FAUNA 44 6.5 GEOTECHNICAL 44 6.6 AGRICULTURAL IMPACTS 45 6.7 NOISE IMPACTS 45 6.8 VISUAL AND LANDSCAPE IMPACTS 46 6.9 ELECTROMAGNETIC 50 6.10 AVIATION AND GLINT AND GLARE 50 6.11 NATURAL HAZARD MANAGEMENT 51 6.12 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS 52 6.13 TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT 52 6.14 CAR PARKING 52 7 CONCLUSION 53 FIGURES Figure 2-1 Locality Plan ......................................................................................................................... 2 Figure 3-1 Photo of a solar farm ........................................................................................................... 3 Figure 3-2 Layout Plan ........................................................................................................................... 5 Figure 4-1 Subject site ........................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 5-1 Heritage Overlay ................................................................................................................ 13 Figure 5-2 Adjacent ESO area ............................................................................................................ 15 Figure 6-1 View of the former Byron Reef mine from the subject site facing south-east .............. 43 Figure 6-2 View of the former Byron Reef mine from the subject site facing east ......................... 43 Figure 6-3 Photomontage Viewpoint 1 .............................................................................................. 47 Figure 6-4 Photomontage Viewpoint 2 .............................................................................................. 48 Figure 6-5 Photomontage Viewpoint 3 .............................................................................................. 49 TABLES Table 1-1 Site Summary ........................................................................................................................ 1 Table 5-1 Heritage Overlay planning scheme excerpt ...................................................................... 13 APPENDICES Appendix A: Ecological Assessment, Okologie Consulting, May 2020 Appendix B: Geotechnical Report, HardRock Getechnical, April 2020 Appendix C: Agricultural Assessment, Meridian Agriculture, May 2020 Appendix D: Acoustic Planning Report, ARUP, May 2020 Appendix E: Aeronautical Impact Assessment and Glare Analysis, Chiron Aviation Consultants, May 2020 iv Newstead Solar Farm Application for planning permit Executive Summary This report in provided in support of a planning permit application for the proposed Newstead Solar Farm, a 10MW solar energy facility located approximately 2km west of the town of Newstead in Central Victoria. The project has emerged from the aims of community organisation Renewable Newstead to source 100% locally generated, grid-connected, reliable, affordable renewable energy that generates other benefits for the local community, with significant funding having been provided by the Victorian Government for implementation of the project. This application has been assessed against the relevant policies and guidelines of the Mount Alexander Planning Scheme, including the provisions of Clause 53.13 Renewable Energy Facility and the Solar Energy Facilities Design and Development Guideline DELWP 2019 (Solar Farm Guidelines). The proposal is strongly supported by the range of policies and guidelines that apply, particularly those which seek to facilitate renewable energy facilities in locations that will have minimal amenity impacts and protect important agricultural land. A brief summary of the relevant thematic issues for consideration are provided below. This includes reference to the several technical expert reports that accompany the application. Heritage The site is partially affected by Heritage Overlay Schedule 1074 which relates to the former Byron Reef Quartz Mine at the north-eastern corner of the site. Site inspections revealed that heritage fabric/items in the form of spoil heaps of the former mine are in fact located on adjacent land, not the subject site. Some of this material has washed on to the subject site, however a 30m setback will be provided of all infrastructure from this boundary ensuring no undue impacts to heritage values. No areas of cultural heritage sensitivity are affected by the proposal therefore a mandatory Cultural Heritage Management Plan is not required. Flora and fauna impacts An Ecological Assessment has been prepared by Okologie Consulting and is included at Appendix A. The ecological characteristics of the project area are highly modified for agricultural use, characterised by exotic dominated pasture with an intermittent cover of modified cover of native woodland and 17 scattered indigenous trees. No listed flora species were recorded and none are likely to occur. Native vegetation removal of 4 scattered trees is proposed. The principles of avoid and minimise have been employed in design of the project in accordance with Clause 52.17 Native Vegetation. The Ecological Assessment found that the proposal will have minimal and acceptable impacts on flora and fauna. Removal of 4 scattered trees is unlikely impact notable species for the site which include the Swift Parrot and Brush-tailed Phascogale. A referral or preparation of an EES under the EEA is unlikely to be required given minimal impacts to ecological values of the site. Neither an FFG Act permit nor an EPBC Act referral will be required. v Newstead Solar Farm Application for planning permit Geotechnical and hydrology A Geotechnical Investigation was completed by Hardrock Geotechnical to accompany the application, included at Appendix B. The investigation included involved the drilling boreholes and taking samples for laboratory analysis. The report found that the site is suitable for construction of a solar energy facility, with several recommendation provided around suitable construction methods and management practices to ensure minimal impact on the area during construction. Agricultural impacts An Agricultural Assessment Report has been completed by Meridian Agriculture and is included at Appendix C. The subject land is currently used for agriculture in the form of grazing sheep. The Agricultural Assessment Report confirms that the land is of low-agricultural significance and is not within an irrigation district. The soils of the land are not high-quality within the context of the local area, and removal of the approximately 23.6ha of land from agricultural production will not have a significant impact on surrounding properties