Proposed Solar Farm : Ballantine, Bairnsdale

What are our concerns?

○ Catastrophic fire risk of such large battery footprints, as well as disposal/clean up after a fire event in a high-risk bushfire area with limited community fire fighting capabilities, also leaving neighbouring properties unable to defend
○ Firewater run-off leading to soil contamination, and contamination of watersources (dams, tanks) and waterways - Ballantyne Ck flows into Lakes Entrance
○ Soot polluting air, soil and water. Pending wind direction, this could affect not just neighbouring farms, but the airport, or potential the township of Bairnsdale
○ Vague fire management plans
○ Fire assessments of the site conducted from interstate contractors with no on-site assessment or local consultation.

○ Access concerns via Andersons Lane & Bengworden Road
○ Widening of road would require removal of protected vegetation and habitat on the roadside (see Landcare’s work in establishing wildlife corridors in this area over the last 30+ years)
○ Impact of any road widening on private properties boundaries
○ Effect on Bengworden Rd (particularly during construction with increased traffic) as an emergency route for Fire and Ambulance to the Bairnsdale airport
○ Dust and safety implications on neighbouring properties of heavy vehicles and traffic volume during construction

○ Impact on our farming. This area is zoned as a farming area, shouldn’t renewables projects of this scale be considered industrial? Has the 2024 review of the ‘renewables’ clause coincided with Victoria’s ‘fast-tracking’..?
○ Insurance policies unattainable or unaffordable due to liability of the solar developement
○ Loss of stock in the event of fire or firewater contamination
○ Loss of infrastructure, contamination of soil and watersources
○ Impact on stock and breeding cycles particularly during construction
○ Impact on future farming practices and diversifying of operations
○ Plumet in our land value and future borrowing capabilities
○ Loss of producers and agricultural land in Australia’s food bowl and primary industries
○ Loss of scenery for the area as a scenic route (Bengworden Rd)
○ Impact on wildlife, and biodiversity across this area with the Moormurng Nature Reserve
○ The risk of toxic emissions, especially when unmanned

○ THE DETRIMENT TO MENTAL HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND LIVELIHOODS OF AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY