The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) Planning last week
approved a 60 MW solar farm with energy storage and associated infrastructure that will
be developed by ib vogt GmbH west of Yanco.
Council’s General Manager Mrs Jackie Kruger said the state significant development
which is set to commence in six months and is valued at $99.3M, will boost employment in
the area.
“We are pleased that this major development will bring around 120 jobs especially during
the construction phase,” said Mrs Kruger.
“Timing couldn't be better as the drought bites and many jobs particularly in
manufacturing industries have been impacted. The construction jobs generated from the
solar project will offer a reprieve and we hope together with rainfall that the agribusiness
sector will soon be back to full production.”
While Council supports renewable energy in principle, Council was not initially keen to see
prime irrigated agricultural land sterilised through solar.
Mayor Paul Maytom said Council found a win-win outcome by agreeing to a 30-year
consent with the development applicant, ib vogt GmbH, where after the land needs to
be rehabilitated for irrigation purposes.
Council withdrew its original objection to the development after ib vogt GmbH offered a
voluntary planning agreement including a 30 year time limit on the operation, a
commitment to rehabilitate the area to full irrigable capacity at the end of its life, and a
$900,000 financial contribution to Leeton Shire council for community infrastructure
projects (paid over 30 years and CPI indexed).
