STATE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT Limondale Solar Farm (SSD 8025) 1. BACKGROUND Limondale Sun Farm Pty Ltd (the Applicant) proposes to develop a new 250 megawatt (MW) solar farm (the project) near Balranald (see Figure 1). Figure 1: Regional Context 1 Limondale Solar Assessment Report Figure 2: Project Layout 2 Limondale Solar Assessment Report 1.1 Project setting The project site is 2,049 hectares (ha) and is located off Yanga Way, approximately 14 kilometres (km) south of the town of Balranald, which is approximately 230 km west of Griffith. A Crown Land Travelling Stock Reserve (TSR) bounds the site to the east. The proposed transmission line (500 m) crosses through the TSR to the Transgrid Balranald substation to the east. The development footprint within the project site is 1,025 ha. It is relatively flat in nature and consists mostly of cleared agricultural land that has been used for cropping and grazing over several decades. There are very few landowners in close proximity to the site. The nearest residence is located approximately 2.9 km north of the site (see Figure 2), while a further 5 residences are located up to 6 km from the site. The project adjoins the recently approved Sunraysia Solar Farm to the south. The Department has assessed the potential cumulative impacts of both projects if construction occurred at the same time, including traffic, accommodation and employment considerations. Balranald has recently been identified as a ‘region of interest’ for renewable energy projects because it has good solar resources and spare capacity on the electricity network. 1.2 Project description The project involves the construction of a new solar farm with an initial capacity of 250 MW. It also involves any upgrading or decommissioning of infrastructure and equipment in the future. While the capacity of the proposed solar farm may increase over time as technology improves, the footprint of the development would not increase. The key components of the project are summarised in Table 1, depicted in Figure 2 and described in detail in the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project (see Appendix B). Table 1: Major components of the project Aspect Description Project The project includes: summary • approximately 868,000 solar panels mounted on single axis‐tracker frames (up to 2 m in height); • up to 100 inverter stations (up to 2.3 m in height), each containing an inverter and a 33 kilovolt (kV) transformer, and an onsite substation containing a transformer and associated switchgear; • internal access tracks, staff amenities, offices, car parking, laydown areas, security fencing; and • a 220 kV underground power line connecting to the existing Balranald substation (500 m east). Project area 2,049 ha (including a 1,025 ha development footprint) Access The site would be accessed via a new intersection with Yanga Way, connecting to an existing access route track to the site. Road Key road works for the project include: upgrades • a new intersection between the access track and Yanga Way; • a 350 m section of new access track connecting the intersection and existing track; and • upgrading the existing access track (approximately 1.3 km gravelled and compacted). Operational • The expected operational life of the initial infrastructure is approximately 30 years. However, the life project may involve infrastructure upgrades that could extend the operational life. • The project also includes decommissioning at the end of the project life, which would involve removing all above ground infrastructure and underground infrastructure. Construction • The total construction period would last for up to 15 months, and would comprise: traffic and - a peak traffic period of 9 months (up to 400 light and 54 heavy vehicle movements daily); timeframe - a non-peak traffic period of 6 months (up to 180 light and 30 heavy vehicle movements daily); - 2 over dimensional vehicle movements. • Construction hours would be limited to Monday to Friday 7am - 6pm, and Saturday 8am – 1pm. Hours of • The solar farm would operate during the day. operation • Daily operations and maintenance by site staff would be undertaken Monday to Friday 7am - 6pm and Saturday 8am - 1pm. Employment • Approximately 90 full time equivalent workers would be required during construction, rising to 200 during the peak construction period. • The project would provide 4 to 7 full time equivalent operational jobs. Capital $150 million investment value NSW Government Department of Planning & Environment 3 Limondale Solar Assessment Report 1.3 Strategic context In 2016, the vast majority of energy in NSW was derived from fossil fuels, including 80.4% from coal and gas, and only 19.6% was derived from renewable energy sources. However, there are currently no plans for the development of new coal power stations in NSW, and the development of renewable energy sources, like wind and solar farms, is experiencing rapid growth. This is highlighted in the recently released Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market (the Finkel Review), which outlines a strategic approach to ensuring an orderly transition from traditional coal and gas fired power generation to renewable energy with lower emissions. It notes that Australia is heading towards zero emissions in the second half of the century. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has adopted the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, with an aspirational goal of 1.5°C. Australia’s contribution towards this target is a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26% to 28% below 2005 levels by 2030. One of the key initiatives to deliver on this commitment is the Commonwealth Government’s Renewable Energy Target (RET). Under this target, more than 20% of Australia’s electricity would come from renewable energy by 2020. It is estimated that an additional 6,000 MW of new renewable energy capacity will need to be built by 2020 to achieve the Renewable Energy Target. The NSW Climate Change Policy Framework, released in November 2016, sets an aspirational objective for NSW to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The NSW Government also has a Renewable Energy Action Plan, which promotes the development of renewable energy in NSW. NSW is currently leading Australia in large-scale solar, with four major operational projects, including the largest solar farm in Australia. With an initial capacity of 250 MW, the project would generate enough power for around 94,000 homes, and is therefore consistent with both the Commonwealth’s RET and NSW’s Renewable Energy Action Plan. 2. STATUTORY CONTEXT 2.1 State Significant Development Under the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) (State and Regional Development) 2011, the project is classified as State Significant Development (SSD) as it is an electricity generating activity with a capital investment value of more than $30 million. Consequently, the Minister for Planning is the consent authority for the development. However, under the Minister’s delegation of 16 February 2015, the Executive Director, Resource Assessments and Business Systems, may determine the development application as there were less than 25 objections and a political disclosure statement has not been made. 2.2 Environmental planning instruments The provisions of the Balranald Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2010 are discussed in section 4.1 of this report. Under the SEPP (Infrastructure) 2007, the project is permissible as it involves development for the purposes of electricity generating works. In accordance with the Infrastructure SEPP, the Department has notified Transgrid about the proposed development, and it has confirmed that there is capacity to accommodate the Limondale Solar project. The Department has considered the provisions of SEPP No. 55 – Remediation of Land. A preliminary assessment of the land found no contaminated land within the project site, and the Department is satisfied the site is suitable for the development. SEPP No. 44 – Koala Habitat Protection does not apply to land within the Balranald LGA. 4 Limondale Solar Assessment Report 2.3 Other approvals Under the Roads Act 1993, the project requires approvals from the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) for the proposed road upgrades. Under Section 89K of the EP&A Act, the assessment of the impacts of these upgrades is integrated into the planning approval process, and the conditions of these approvals must be consistent with the conditions of any development consent. The Department has consulted with RMS during the approval process. RMS has no objections to the project subject to the imposition of suitable conditions. These conditions have been considered by the Department and incorporated into the proposed conditions of consent. 3. CONSULTATION The Department publicly exhibited the EIS from 27 April 2017 until 26 May 2017. Fourteen submissions were received on the project, including 9 from public authorities, 1 from a special interest group, 1 from a private entity, and 3 from members of the public. 3.1 Agency submissions The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) has no concerns with the project, providing the loss of 5.32 ha native vegetation is appropriately offset. RMS has recommended requirements for the intersection upgrade. The Department has incorporated these into the conditions of consent and the Applicant has confirmed it agrees with these requirements. RMS also requested that the Applicant consult with RMS and Council during preparation of the Traffic Management Plan to consider the project’s potential interaction with the Sunraysia Solar Farm. The Department has included this requirement in its conditions of consent. Council raised initial concern regarding community contributions and accommodation during construction. The Department has addressed matters relating to contributions and accommodation in sections 4.4 and 4.5 respectively. The Division of Resources and Geoscience (DRG) has confirmed that it is satisfied with the level of information provided regarding the adjacent exploration licence and has no residual concerns with the project.