Residents and community members are invited to join the project team at a public information session in Ellangowan next month. This session will follow a drop-in format. Information on key topics of interest raised by community members will be available, and selected technical specialist consultants will be in attendance to answer questions.

Time: 4-6pm, Wednesday 7 February 2024

Location: Ellangowan Community Hall, 1630 Ellangowan Road, Ellangowan.

Everyone is welcome. We look forward to meeting attendees and the opportunity to answer questions and discuss the project in more detail.

The project team has been progressing the various studies and technical assessments required for Richmond Valley Solar Farm’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). As more information about the project area has become available, the design has been refined and modified. In consultation with specialist consultants for biodiversity, flooding, visual impact and bushfire prevention, the development footprint is currently approximately 804 hectares (ha) and avoids all environmentally sensitive areas.

In October 2023 the proposal was referred to the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for review under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). DCCEEW determined the proposal to be a controlled action, which means it will also require assessment and approval under the EPBC Act.

DCCEEW’s environmental assessment requirements have been incorporated into requirements for the EIS, and the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI-formerly the NSW Department of Planning and Environment) will assess these under the bilateral agreement between the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.

The project’s EPBC documentation including DCCEEW’s assessment decision is available from the Richmond Valley Solar Farm project page in the EPBC Act Public Portal (ref 2023/09641).

Download the Richmond Valley Solar Farm Newsletter - January 2024