The Middlebrook Solar farm 22km South of Tamworth has been given the green light by the NSW Independent Planning Commission despite strong opposition from the local community.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said this is another example of the planning system ignoring the concerns local communities when it comes to renewable energy.

“These large-scale projects have been causing deep concern and angst among local communities right across the region. The major concern from communities relates to location and the Middlebrook Solar covers nearly 1,400 hectares of agricultural land with 750,000 solar panels,” Mr Anderson said.

“Despite the Tamworth electorate being mostly outside a Renewable Energy Zone, there are several projects like Middlebrook in development.

“The community deserves to have their voices heard when it comes to the development of renewable energy, particularly when these projects could negatively impact farming businesses.

“At the recent Independent Planning Commission meeting, the community expressed their strong opposition to this project, raising concerns regarding dust, noise, decommissioning, visual amenity, and the loss of prime agricultural land.

“Despite the community’s opposition to the project, it has been approved, and I am deeply concerned that the community’s voice has been ignored.

“The government needs to do more to fix the planning process. They should be implementing the NSW Agricultural Commissioner’s recommendations regarding land use conflict and agriculture.

“The Agricultural Commissioner’s report into renewable energy and agriculture clearly identified land use conflict as a significant concern for agriculture, but the outcome of this project shows that the government has done nothing to ensure communities are heard.”