THE company hoping to set up a huge solar farm west of Yanco has hit back at several claims about the operation.
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Residents and Leeton Shire Council have recently raised concerns about the arable land the farm is proposed to be built on, what happens at the end of its 30-year life-span and the say the community has in the matter.
Ib vogt is the company who has put forward the proposal, with representative Jenny Walsh claiming the business has done everything by the book.
"Where concerns were raised (by the community), we have attempted to mitigate any potential foreseen issues from the proposed solar farm, as far as possible," Ms Walsh said.
"We are aware a recent concern has been raised in relation to the decommissioning of the proposed project.
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"If approved, it is envisaged the proposed solar farm would operate for 30 years and then be decommissioned so the land is reinstated to how it is today.
"The decommissioning would be at the cost of the project owner, which is enforceable via a legally binding commitment with the landowner."
The proposed solar farm is classified as a "state significant development" with the NSW Minister for Planning being the "consent authority".
This means a development application does not need approval by council.
However, council is a "statutory consultee" as part of the process.
"Ib vogt has engaged with council staff and councillors over the past 18 months regarding the solar farm proposal to understand council's concerns and work through potential issues," Ms Walsh said.
"We appreciate all the assistance we have received from council staff and look forward to our future ongoing engagement with them."
Speaking at a council meeting, Leeton shire resident Roy Currie raised issues of the farm being constructed on arable agricultural land and was also concerned about the independent of the company's environmental impact statement (EIS).
Ms Walsh said the EIS was done by the book.
"NGH Environmental based in Wagga ... carried out site assessments and reporting in accordance with the NSW government guidelines and assessment requirements," Ms Walsh said.
"The EIS was also subject to an adequacy review by the department before it was deemed suitable to be placed on public exhibition."
Time is running out for residents to have their say on the proposal, with all submissions given a deadline of May 22.
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