Dingo Lane Solar Farm, Myocum

I am opposed to this size of the proposal for the following brief reasons:

1. Financially reckless for a local council that claims to be destitute.
2. No business case - who in Byron Shire will benefit?
3. Potential illegitimacy of change to BSC's function from provision of local services and infrastructure to electricity generation.
4. Not a priority for Shire residents who wanted improvement to roads, drains and other infrastructure up to minimum safety standards.

Hi folks, thanks for all the comments so far just some short responses - if you would like a response directly to you please send me an email (details on the right).
I will try and respond below as I am able from existing project information;
1) likely cost - current cost estimate is about $12M.
2) Payback - 10-15 years (we are currently investigating this further)
3) source of funding - Council hasn't yet identified the funding source
4) Carbon footprint of installation - we will be working with contractors to understand this and consider what we can do during the project to reduce the emissions from construction
5) Should Council be building solar farms? the construction of solar farms by councils is become more common to reduce emissions and manage the price risk of electricity. The case for a Council to build any solar installation is similar to the case for building one on your home (just at a larger scale)
6) Power line and masts. This is currently being investigated and further detail will be provided at a later stage, there are existing lines and masts to the site and it is unlikely there will be much extension
7) Glare; council has received a glare and visual impact assessment report on the proposed solar and will soon engage the local residents about the outcomes, standard practice is to reduce glare where it exists by plantings so there is no ongoing impact, in general panels are design to catch the sun, not reflect it and some panel designs will 'tilt' to follow the sun and therefor have no glare. These options are being considered by Council
8) cattle under panels; we are investigating with potential contractors about various options under the solar panels. At this stage the heights of the panels, and need to fence the farm, make cattle unlikely but this has not yet been ruled out
9) flood risk / debris loading. We have engaged specialist flood engineers to model this and are working with out contractors to ensure that the solar farm is designed to protect against this risk
10) energy grid upgrades - we have received preliminary advice from essential energy about this and are currently completing a further study
11) construction time and traffic - we are working with construction companies to understand this and will include a traffic impact assessment in our planning work
12) Australian precedents see https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/resources/project-tracker as there's lots of information there about current and existing solar farm projects

I hope that's all helpful, please contact me via email if you'd like more information or a direct response.

What a good idea. I wonder if you could tell us the cost and likely time it will take to repay the capital cost?

PLEASE FIX ROADS!
No more diversions to Dingo 😡
UPPER MAIN ARM RD is deplorable, overgrown, potholed, corrugated &C
In short a DEATH TRAP

At the risk of being labeled a " Climate Denier " can I ask !/. How much will this cost, 2/. Where is the money coming from 3/. will there be a realistic payback period before it all needs replacing ? 4/. what is the carbon foot print of such an installation ? 5/. is this really what a Local council should be spending rate payers funds on ?

The same can be asked of the Council Chamber car park solar installation

Go Byron Council! This is a great project and I wish you every success for all our sakes. Not a Myocum resident but nearby and we need this.

I think it's a brilliant idea to help reduce power and carbon emissions. And in no way do i think solar farms look unsightly. Go team!

I fully support the plan for a solar farm. Just get going and work it all out ASAP. I can't comment on the specific area but please take note of what surrounding residents say.

Excellent, the sooner we reach zero emissions the better.

I love this idea and fully support any efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.

Dear council

can you please provide some images of the power line and the masts. How will that look like?

Thank you and kind regards
Amie San

I'm all for renewable energy. I live in Myocum northwest of the proposed site. My only concerns with this project is how long it will take and the increased traffic to and from the construction site, as well as any upgrades that will be needed to feed the power generated into the grid.

I fully support this. Our region uses a lot of electricity during the day when the sun is shining (air conditioners, lights, computers) - 7 days a week. As the owner of 2 solar power systems, I understand the concepts and encourage Council to push ahead.

Great idea

I live west of the proposed Solar farm at the west end of Dingo Lane.
I support council's initiative but am concerned about potential glare along the whole doorbell/Coolamnon Scenic drive ridge.
It is very important to me that I do not have constant glare from the panels. I suggest siting the panels facing due north will impact the least on most surrounding and nearby residents. Please respond.

I support this proposed solar farm project

Seems like a fantastic idea. Are there any efficient and community embraced Australian precedents that we can look at to help make an informed decision?

Would be great to make sure Solar panels are able to have cattle grazing underneath.

Also flood risk washing down stream is taken into account. The plains on dingo lane can have very strong flood waters and often have debris from trees and farm fencing carried across them.