AGL Proposes Solar Plant for Broken Hill and Invites Local Comment

As per the advertisement in the  Barrier Daily Truth (BDT) on Friday 16 November 2012 (where I have sourced the majority of information for this post) -

"AGL is proposing a Solar Plant for Broken Hill, and approval is being sought for the construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant.  The nominated site is approximately 5 kilometres southwest of Broken Hill.
The Broken Hill Solar Plant would consist of a nominal 50 MW solar PV power station.  Over 650,000 solar PV modules will be installed, covering an area of about 125 hectares (ha).

This is the photo from the AGL website regarding the project

An Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project has been lodged with the New South Wales Department of Planning & Infrastructure (DP&I).  The document is available for public review and comment during an exhibition period which runs between 29 October and 30 November 2012."

"During this time, the community are invited to provide their comments about the project directly to DP&I.

AGL will hosting a community information session to provide a summary of the EA and answer questions about the project:

Date:        Thursday, 22 November 2012

Time:        The first session will be held from 12-2 pm
                 A repeat session will be held from 6.30-8.30 pm

Location:   Both session will be held at Broken Hill Community Inc. Centre for Community at 200 Beryl Street, Broken Hill.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by calling the AGL Community Relations team on 1800 039 600.

Printed copies of the documents are available at several locations see below -

• Department of Planning & Infrastructure, Information Centre,
  23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney, 2000
• Nature Conservation Council, Level 2, 5 Wilson Street, Newtown NSW, 2042
• Broken Hill City Council, Council Administration Offices,
  240 Blende Street, Broken Hill, NSW, 2880
• Broken Hill Charles Rasp Library, 249 Blende Street, Broken Hill, NSW, 2880.

They are also available for viewing online at the following locations:

DP&I website:  www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au

AGL website: www.agk.com.au/brokenhill/index.php/environment/

In my own words (not from the BDT or AGL), I think it is worth getting involved in the process for sure if you care about Broken Hill and/or environmental sustainability.  I am all for sustainability and alternative renewable fuel sources, however, I hope the location selected is not an eyesore.  From the picture on the AGL site which I have added above, I would be concerned if they were going to change the look of that area which I must say always appeals to me as I get close to the city, the two little peaks or hills to the left or west of the highway.  I hope it won't be visible from that main approach road to the city from the south.

Cheers, Jane D

First meeting of Silverton Wind Farm Community Consultative Committee 12 July 2012

Silverton Municipal Chambers

Further to my other two recent posts about the future establishment of the Silverton Wind Farm near Broken Hill, please note that today sees the first meeting of the Silverton Wind Farm Community Consultative Committee (SCCC).  AGL, the company involved, has established the SCCC which is open to interested members of the community.  AGL’s general manager for power development, Scott Thomas and manager of solar development Doug Landfear will be in attendance.  There is no set agenda.  The meeting details are as follows -  

Date:          12 July 2012

Venue:       Silverton Municipal Chambers

Time:         6.00 pm

Aim

It is a voluntary committee and as previously noted, “the aim of the Silverton Wind Farm CCC is to help strengthen the community engagement process so that community issues can be addressed appropriately.”  It is a voluntary committee (initially meeting monthly) which will include various stakeholder and community representatives who have demonstrated an interest or connection to the project.  The meetings are to discuss planning developments as well as community issues and concerns regarding the project.  It will also provide an opportunity for the local community to work with the AGL project team to find solutions.

It is part of AGL’s acknowledgement that there are (to quote their initial advertisement) “some community concerns regarding development of the Silverton Wind Farm.”

If you are interested in being involved the number to call (free) is –

1800 039 600  Silverton Wind Farm CCC Community Hotline and they will send you a nomination form as well as further details.  Neil Cooke, Manager Power Development is the contact.  He can also be reached on mobile  0402 059 855.

I am registered to be on their email list to be kept up to date with developments.  It’s a good way to be involved if you can’t physically be there.

Cheers, Jane D