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Corbell gives up on Uriarra solar farm, aims for Williamsdale

solar panels

SIMON Corbell says the ACT Government has agreed to license parts of blocks 1470 and 1471 District of Tuggeranong (Williamsdale) to Elementus Energy as an alternative location for its OneSun Capital solar project, originally proposed for Coree, near Uriarra Village.

Simon said under the feed-in-tariff arrangements made through the reverse solar auction process it was the proponent’s responsibility to secure all of the necessary approvals for their proposed site. Elementus Energy has indicated it will not be seeking any change to the feed-in-tariff price it bid in the reverse auction.

“The government has a vision for Canberra to be Australia’s solar capital and Elementus Energy’s proposed solar farm is a key part of this vision,” Simon said.

“We are mindful of the concerns raised by stakeholders about the current site for the project at Coree and we understand Elementus’ consideration of Williamsdale as an alternative location may achieve a better outcome.

“The Williamsdale site has previously had planning and environmental work undertaken on it to allow its use as a solar farm, so I am hopeful that it again proves suitable for this purpose.

“There are only a small number of residents within a 2.5km radius of the proposed solar farm site and they have been informed of the renewed investigations. All those residents were involved in previous planning processes for a solar farm and raised no objections.

“I believe this could be a much better way forward for the community and for Elementus.”

Managing director of Elementus, Ashleigh Antflick, welcomed the Government’s willingness to consider alternatives to the Coree site.

“We are pleased that the Government has agreed to licence this site to us – with a view to leasing in the future – should we secure development approval,” Ashleigh said.

“We will now undertake required processes followed by a development application in order confirm the feasibility of establishing our solar farm on this site. If this new location achieves all necessary approvals we hope to be able to begin construction in the second half of this year.”

The government has recently acquired blocks 1470, 1471 and 1405 in the District of Tuggeranong (at Williamsdale) for a variety of uses into the future. Any licence and lease to Elementus will be at market rate.

[Photo by Russ Ferriday, attribution licence]


UPDATE: The Liberals’ Andrew Wall has declared victory in this battle:

Residents of Uriarra Village should be very proud of their efforts in preventing the construction of a large scale solar project 100 metres from homes, Member for Brindabella Andrew Wall said today.

“The announcement made by the ACT Labor government today that Elementus Energy will shift the site of the large scale solar project from Uriarra to another location confirms that the site was unsuitable in the first place and shouldn’t have been considered by the government,” Mr Wall said.

“The resilience shown by this community in the face of the poor consultation and decision making by ACT Labor has been tremendous.

“Residents of Uriarra were completely overlooked when it came to consultation on this project and the planning processes in the ACT failed them.

“Residents and their supporters have waited many months for a decision to be made. The question remains, why did it take the ACT Labor government so long to make this announcement?

“The decision to move the proposed solar farm demonstrates that community cohesion and resolve works in fighting for common sense,” Mr Wall concluded.


UPDATE: Meanwhile the Greens’ Shane Rattenbury is thrilled with a win-win for everyone:

ACT Greens MLA, Shane Rattenbury, today welcomed the announcement that the Uriarra Solar Farm will relocate from Uriarra to Williamsdale, and called for the establishment of a buffer zone to protect Uriarra from future development that may compromise its rural village status.

“I am pleased that Elementus Energy has worked with the Government to look at other site options, and I believe moving the solar farm to Williamsdale will deliver a win-win for both solar energy and the Uriarra community,” said Mr Rattenbury.

“The residents of Uriarra have been consistent in their opposition and concern about the location of the solar farm, and the process used to select the site, however have always been supportive of solar projects going ahead.

“Now is the time for planning changes to be put in place to ensure that the Uriarra Village doesn’t find itself facing inappropriate development that may undermine the village atmosphere for residents.

“This could be done by establishing a formal buffer zone around the rural village, such as that which exists around Hall to protect the character of the village, and to provide clear guidance about potential developments inside that buffer.

“The Uriarra Solar proposal was difficult for both the proponent and the residents, and I am glad that a viable solution has been found that ensures a good outcome for everyone involved.

“I’m especially pleased that the ACT’s third large solar farm is still on track, an important part of meeting our 90% renewable energy target,” said Mr Rattenbury.

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One Response to Corbell gives up on Uriarra solar farm, aims for Williamsdale

Nick says: 24 March 2015 at 10:07 am

A win for nimbys who believe they have control over what others do on their land… that uriarra settlment needs to go.

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