Frequently Asked Questions

The project is being assessed as a State significant development (SSD), under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

As over 50 objections were received in the exhibition phase of the EIS, the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) is the consent authority for the project.

The project is also being assessed in accordance with the bilateral agreement made between the NSW and the Commonwealth under Section 45 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The project will create around 200 full-time equivalent jobs during the 21-month construction period, with up to 400 jobs during the peak construction period.

The project will directly employ two to three people during the operational phase. It is anticipated that most of the construction and operational workforce will be drawn from the region, to maximise economic benefits for the community.

Recurrent Energy will work closely with the local Councils and other key stakeholders to maximise local procurement and employment opportunities.

If you are interested in keeping up to date with employment opportunities, please register your interest at ua.moc.mrafralosnwodnus@nimda. More details will be available as the project progresses.

Project-related traffic volumes will be highest during the construction phase. The peak construction period will be during stage 2, which will last approximately 14 months. The peak period for traffic volumes will occur over a nine-month period in stage 2.

Worst-case project-related traffic volumes on the Spring Mountain Road/ Sturmans Road access road during the peak construction stage are:

• 100 heavy vehicle trips per day
• 100 light vehicle trips per day
• 8 shuttle bus trips per day.

The proposed access road (Spring Mountain Road and Sturmans Road) will be widened to 8.7 metres to facilitate two lanes. This will enable safer passing and improved accessibility. The upgrades will include upgrades to water crossings to enable all-weather accessibility.

The key upgrades to the Gwydir Highway/Spring Mountain Road intersection include:

• an upgrade from the existing non-compliant sight distance to compliant sight distance;
• installation of a right turn traffic lane (type (CHR(S)) at the eastbound approach;
• installation of a Basic Left Turn (BAL);
• installation of an advanced warning signs at the eastbound approach on Gwydir Highway to warn that trucks will be entering/leaving the intersection; and
• installation of school bus stop signage and pedestrian refuges on the southern and northern sides of the Gwydir Highway/Spring Mountain Road intersection.

As there is a school bus stop at the Gwydir Highway/Spring Mountain Road intersection, no project-related heavy vehicles will use the Gwydir Highway/Spring Mountain Road intersection during school run periods i.e. 8:00 am to 8:30 am and 3.15 pm to 3.45 pm during school days.

The existing school bus stop does not have any infrastructure. To improve safety, the proponent will install school bus signs at the Gwydir Highway/Spring Mountain Road intersection to warn heavy vehicle drivers of student drop-off and pick-up areas. The proponent will also ensure there is a pedestrian refuge on the southern and northern sides of the Gwydir Highway/ Spring Mountain Road intersection.

From time-to-time project-related and nearby landholders will need to move livestock across the access road (and/or transport livestock from site). The site construction manager will have regular direct contact with project-related and nearby landholders to identify upcoming stock crossing locations and schedules. Operation of heavy vehicles on the access road will be restricted to accommodate these periods.

Subject to agreement with the Inverell Shire Council, warning signs will be installed along the access road to warn the motorists of the potential presence of livestock.

Recurrent Energy will instal stock-proof fencing as required, in consultation with project-related and nearby landholders.

As part of the road upgrade, Recurrent Energy will reinstate existing cattle grids.

The existing speed limit of the access route is 100 km/h, which is the default speed of regional roads in NSW. However, during the construction of the access road, temporary traffic restrictions will be imposed in association with the sections of the access road that are being upgraded at that point in time, as required by applicable guidelines. 

The speed limit within the development footprint will be limited to 40 km/h during construction and operations.

The speed limit on Gwydir Highway will remain at 100 km/h.

The project will require up to 75 ML of water over the 21-month construction period and up to 475 kL/year over the 35-year operation phase.

The project will not extract water from rivers, creeks, neighbouring dams, or neighbouring bores.

Water will either be trucked into site and/or be extracted from an onsite groundwater bore, subject to receipt of applicable permits.

No. There are no adverse health effects from solar or battery energy storage systems.

The Preliminary Hazard Assessment undertaken for the EIS concluded that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) created from the project will not exceed the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection reference level for exposure to the general public at any location within the development footprint, and that the impact on the general public (including neighbouring agricultural workers) in surrounding areas will be negligible.

Outside of exposure to EMFs, there are no known potential health impacts associated with proximity to the project infrastructure.

Solar is a passive form of technology, generating electricity without creating significant waste products, noise, or pollutants, making it an ideal energy source to help decarbonise Australia’s electricity system.

Appropriate mitigation strategies will be applied to reduce potential dust generation caused by the presence of disturbed areas and by project-related vehicle movements. These measures include, but are not limited to:

• use of a water cart, as required
• restriction of traffic speeds
• a policy to ensure disturbed areas are revegetated/covered as soon as practicable
• requirement to ensure vehicle loads are secured
• dust suppression measures will take into consideration weather conditions
• stabilise pavements with polymer or cement wherever practicable.

Further, the access road is currently unsealed (i.e. dirt). The upgraded road will be gravelled, thereby reducing the amount of dust generation.

Similarly, the use of shuttle buses will reduce the volume of private vehicles travelling to and from the site each day, thereby reducing the amount of dust generation.

Visual assessments were undertaken from eight representative viewpoints selected based on their proximity to the development footprint, location to receptors, positioning on roads, topography, and presence of vegetation. The assessment determined that project infrastructure may be visible from one of the eight viewpoints. The assessment found that due to the presence of mature vegetation, varying elevation and landscape character, and the height of the PV panels within the development footprint, the majority of viewpoints will be shielded from viewing the site. The assessment predicts that none of the eight viewpoint locations will have a high impact rating.

Yes. The bushfire assessment determined that the project can achieve compliance with the minimum requirements required by the Planning for Bushfire Protection 2019 (NSW Rural Fire Service).

A Bushfire Management Plan will be prepared for the project. The key principles for bushfire prevention and protection for the project will be:

• the provision of clear separation between structures and bushfire hazards in the form of fuel-reduced asset protection zones and/or defendable space
• appropriate access and egress for staff, contractors, visitors and emergency services
• adequate water supply for fire-fighting purposes
• suitable location of services and other infrastructure that pose potential ignition risk
• suitable construction standards and design of buildings
• suitable management plans for the provision and maintenance of mitigation measures as well as for appropriate emergency response.

These principles will be applied during construction, operation, and decommissioning.

If required, a Fire Safety Study will also be prepared for the BESS, in consultation with the Rural Fire Service and/or NSW Fire and Rescue.