Magpie Hill Solar Farm
Project Status
Development
Indicative Capacity
360 MW solar farm
1,440 MWh BESS
Local Government Area
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
Location
Southern Tablelands, NSW
Mint is proposing to develop the Magpie Hill Solar Farm with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) located 6 km south west of Tarago and 17 km north east of Bungendore in the Southern Tablelands region.
We are currently investigating an area of about 735 hectares for the new solar farm. The final footprint of the Project will depend on planning and environment considerations, grid requirements, the selected technologies and feedback from stakeholders and community. The Magpie Hill Solar Fam could have an approximate capacity of 360 megawatts (MW), with an associated 1,440 megawatt hour (MWh) BESS.
The site will likely be accessed by Bungendore Road and Mount Fairy Road.
The proposed Project is strategically located to contribute meaningful new solar generation where the state needs it most, supporting NSW’s transition to clean energy.
A key factor influencing the site’s selection is its close proximity to the existing 330kV overhead transmission line, which allows for efficient grid connection and keeps any new transmission requirements to a minimum.
In addition to solar panels and BESS, the facility will include:
• single-axis trackers
• inverters
• monitoring and control systems
• substation
• switchyard
• underground cable and overhead transmission line
• site access points and tracks.
Solar could power 127,000 homes in the region. When the BESS on site is fully charged a 1,440MWh BESS has enough energy capacity to supply over 500,000 homes in NSW for 4 hours .
Project Location
Project Updates
The Magpie Hill Solar Farm will be assessed as a State Significant Development (SSD) and is currently in the early stages of development, including the completion of technical studies to inform the siting and design of the Project.
In February, we held four community drop-in sessions in Tarago and Bungendore.
Locals joined the Mint team to learn more about the proposed Project, meet members of the Project team, ask questions and share their feedback. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share feedback and local insights regarding the Project. This early input helped to inform the Project’s Scoping Report and identify the key environmental, social and economic matters to be considered as part of the SSD assessment process.
Mint has now lodged the Scoping Report for Magpie Hill Solar Farm, which initiates the SSD assessment process. The Scoping Report is a preliminary assessment of potential Project impacts.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) will publish the Scoping Report on the Major Projects Planning Portal. Once it has been uploaded, you can find it by searching for ‘Magpie Hill Solar Farm’ at www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects.
The DPHI will then issue the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs), which will clearly define the specific technical studies required to inform the EIS.
Once the SEARs are issued, we will commence further detailed technical studies, which will help us further refine where infrastructure will be located within the Infrastructure Investigation Area (study area).
Community consultation is an essential component of the SSD process. Throughout the preparation of the EIS and assessment process, there will be multiple opportunities for community members and stakeholders to contribute their feedback, share local insights, and highlight potential environmental or social impacts for consideration.
In the coming months, we will advertise opportunities to learn more about the technical assessments being undertaken, meet with the project team, and provide feedback as we prepare the EIS and continue to progress development of the Project.
We encourage anyone interested in the Project to sign up to our Project Newsletter to make sure they stay up to date with the project, including opportunities to provide formal feedback during consultation.
Project location
In March, we completed additional on‑ground biodiversity surveys and assessments across the investigation area. These identified an area of higher ecological sensitivity, which presents potentially significant constraints for the Project.
Based on feedback through our early consultation and the results from our biodiversity surveys, we have decided to remove this area from the Infrastructure Investigation Area. As a result, no Project infrastructure will be located in this area. The area being removed is approximately 15 hectares.
You can view a PDF version of the updated map here.
Community & Benefits
We strive to be active and caring neighbours, dedicated stewards of the environment, and create meaningful, lasting benefits for the broader community.
We know that for our projects to be successful, we must work closely with our stakeholders, including landholders, project neighbours, First Nations peoples and the broader community.
Consultation
Community drop‑in sessions were held in late February in Tarago and Bungendore.
Thank you to everyone who attended a session and took the time to share feedback and local insights. This early input is helping inform the Project’s Scoping Report and identify the key environmental, social and economic matters to be considered as part of the SSD assessment process.
What we’ve heard from the community
Feedback from community members, landholders and stakeholders has highlighted a range of important issues that are being carefully considered as the Project progresses.
Key themes raised during consultation include:
Safety and fire risk, particularly in relation to the BESS, emergency response capacity and local conditions such as access and terrain.
Visual impacts, including how the Project may be seen from nearby homes and across the landscape, as well as concerns about glint and glare.
Noise and amenity, especially potential tonal or low-frequency noise and how it may travel in the local environment.
Traffic and road safety, including increased heavy vehicle movements during construction and impacts on local roads, school buses and emergency access.
Property impacts, such as potential changes to property values and insurance for nearby landholders.
Water and flooding, including drainage, historic flood behaviour and potential impacts on local water sources.
Biodiversity and land use, including potential impacts on native species, land management and agricultural productivity.
Decommissioning and rehabilitation, with a strong interest in how the site will be managed at the end of the Project’s life.
Community benefits, including how benefits will be shared and prioritised locally, particularly for those most directly affected.
Wellbeing, cumulative impacts and trust, with some community members highlighting stress and concern about multiple developments and the need for transparent, ongoing engagement.
We will continue to listen to this feedback and use it to inform Project design, assessment and community engagement as the Project progresses.
In the coming months, we will advertise opportunities to learn more about the technical assessments being undertaken, meet with the Project team, and provide feedback as we prepare the EIS and continue to progress development of the Project.
We encourage anyone interested in the Project to sign up to our Project Newsletter to make sure they stay up to date with the project, including opportunities to provide formal feedback during consultation.
Benefits
We know that our Project will bring inherent economic and social benefits to the community, through a boost to the local economy, local businesses and jobs during construction and operations.
In addition to creating opportunities for local workers, the Project will bring benefits to other industries, including accommodation providers, cafés, and restaurants. Mint is committed to employing local people, sourcing locally wherever possible, and engaging local service providers.
Our commitment to sharing benefits
We will also develop other ways to share benefits of the Project, informed by engagement with stakeholders throughout the development phases of the Project.
We are committed to ensuring that this Project delivers a lasting positive impact for the local community. As an initial step, we have committed to contributing a minimum of $850 per megawatt per annum in community benefits from the commencement of operations.
The total value of the community benefits program will be confirmed once the Project’s final capacity is set.
The final approach to benefit sharing will be shaped by consultation with the community and a clear understanding of local priorities, project constraints, and potential impacts.
Neighbour benefits
We are currently exploring how a neighbour benefit program could be established to ensure that immediate neighbours to the Project share directly in the economic benefits generated by the Project.
Goods & Services Register
We are committed to employing local people and buying local wherever possible.
We are always on the lookout to build new working relationships in the industry and encourage you to register your services and/or business on our Goods & Services Register.
If you are interested in providing goods and services for the project, please register your interest here.
Environment & Planning
The Magpie Hill Solar Farm will go through a rigorous planning and environmental assessment process to ensure impacts are minimised and managed during construction and operations.
The Project will be required to obtain a development consent, under the Environmental Planning and Act 1979 (EP&A Act). The Magpie Hill Solar Farm will be assessed as a State Significant Development (SSD).
All SSD applications undergo a comprehensive assessment process with extensive community participation, and must include an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
We have now lodged the Scoping Report for Magpie Hill Solar Farm, which initiates the SSD process. The Scoping Report is a preliminary assessment of potential Project impacts.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) have published the Scoping Report on the Major Projects Planning Portal. You can find it by searching for ‘Magpie Hill Solar Farm’ at www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects.
The DPHI will then issue the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs), which will clearly define the specific technical studies required to inform the EIS.
Once the SEARs are issued, we will commence further detailed technical studies, which will help us further refine where infrastructure will be located within the Infrastructure Investigation Area (study area).
A fact sheet on the SSD application process is available here.
Technical studies
Specialist technical studies will be completed to assess the Project’s potential effects and identify appropriate mitigation measures. It is expected that matters to be assessed in the EIS will include:
Biodiversity: Presence and potential impacts to native vegetation and significant flora and fauna.
Cultural and historic heritage: Presence and potential impacts to places of Aboriginal cultural heritage value and significance, such as scattered artefacts, burial sites or scarred trees.
Noise and vibration: Potential noise impacts surrounding sensitive receptors (e.g, homes and other sensitive locations) during construction and operation of the Project.
Landscape character and visual amenity: Potential visual impacts from the Project, including the landscape character, surrounding homes and significant public viewpoints.
Glint and glare: Assesses locations and times where solar reflections may occur and evaluates potential mitigation measures to minimise visual impacts.
Hydrology: Potential flood risk to the site, including potential changes to surface waterflows from the permanent footprint of the Project.
Hazards and risks : Potential risk of the Project starting or interacting dangerously with a fire,
as well as other potential hazards, for example chemical leaks or spills.
Social: Assesses the existing social environment and considers community values, demographics and socio-economic conditions to evaluate potential impacts.
Traffic and access: Potential traffic and transport impacts from the Project to the surrounding roads, including disruptions or changes for residents, businesses and tourists.
Agricultural, soil and geology: Assesses the potential effects of the Project on farming use and land
capability, including soil health, erosion risks, and runoff.
Technical studies will also inform the Project’s requirements under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
We’ll share project updates and information via our newsletters and our FAQs.
Resources
Stay up to date
We will communicate key project updates via our e-newsletter. Sign up below to subscribe to our e-newsletter distribution list.
Goods & Services Register
We are always on the lookout to build new working relationships in the industry and encourage you to register your services and/or business on our Goods & Services Register.
Get in touch
Feedback and questions are always welcome!
Please get in contact with us via:
1800 HI MINT (446 468)
magpiehillsolarfarm@mintrenewables.com
complaints@mintrenewables.com
Register your services and/or business on our Goods & Services Register.
Privacy Policy download here | Complaints Handling Procedure download here
Mint Renewables will engage meaningfully with First Nations people of Australia and mana whenua of Aotearoa to develop long term relationships based on respect and understanding. Mint Renewables acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.