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 a 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 750 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
We are in the early stages of development, including undertaking a range of technical studies that will inform the siting and design of the Project. Development of a solar farm typically takes two - three years and undergoes a comprehensive planning and environmental assessment process to ensure the Project’s potential impacts are minimised and appropriate mitigation measures are in place before construction can begin.
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 & Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). It is expected that the Project will be assessed as a State Significant Development (SSD). All development applications (DAs) for State Significant Developments must be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), with extensive community participation.
Community consultation is an essential component of the SSD assessment process. Throughout the 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
We are seeking early feedback from the local community to inform the Project’s Scoping Report. Feedback provided through the survey and community drop-in sessions will help identify the key environmental, social and economic matters to be considered during the SSD assessment process.
Stay up to date on the Project by subscribing to our newsletter.
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 consultation is an essential component of the SSD assessment process. Throughout the 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 late February, we’re hosting community drop-in sessions to share Project updates, outline the studies we’ll undertake, and seek early feedback as we prepare the Scoping Report.
Join us at local drop-ins!
Join us at our upcoming community information drop-in sessions to learn more about the Project and meet our Project team.
Tarago
Thursday 26 February: 4.30 – 7.30 pm
Friday 27 February: 9.00 – 11.00 am
Saturday 28 February: 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
Tarago Town Hall, 18 Wallace Street
Bungendore
Saturday 28 February: 3.00 – 6.00 pm
Norah Starrs Community Centre, 2 Majara Street, Bungendore
Have your say
We’re seeking early feedback from the community and stakeholders to help identify the issues that matter most. This early input will help shape the Scoping Report and guide the matters to be assessed in the EIS.
We want to understand what the community and stakeholders value about the area, as well as any concerns they may have about the proposed solar farm.
If you would like to participate, please complete the survey via the link below.
We appreciate your feedback and participation.
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.
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). It is expected that the Project 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).
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).
A fact sheet on the SSD application process is available here.
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.
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Mint Renewables acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.