Engagement Snapshot
Here is an overview of all the activities involving community for the purpose of participation.
Overview
Growth Planning is publicly exhibiting a draft Planning Agreement with X-Elio Roma Hub Solar Farm Pty Ltd that relates to the Forest Glen Solar Farm at 30L Delroy Road, Minore.
The purpose of the Planning Agreement is to facilitate monetary contributions for social housing development schemes. If Council does not receive suitable expressions of interest, funding will be allocated to eligible community benefit projects across the LGA.
Under the terms of the Planning Agreement Council will receive:
- $200,000 per year for 5 years until the total of $1,000,000.00 is reached.
- The monetary contribution is to be paid from commencement of operation of the project on 1 July of each year.
- The funds will be used for social housing development schemes or eligible community benefit projects as outlined in the components below.
Funds are to be allocated to social housing development schemes which aim to provide an innovative assistance solution to develop community housing in the Dubbo Regional Local Government Area. If Council does not receive any expressions of interest or if in the opinion of Council and the Company no suitable expressions of interest have been received in that year, Planning Agreement Component (1) shall cease to operate, and Planning Agreement Component (2) will operate and revert to a Community Benefit Fund.
Funds are to be allocated for community benefit for eligible local projects across the Dubbo Regional Local Government Area including community and incorporated and/or not for profit organisations.
The draft Planning Agreement and Explanatory Note are on public exhibition until 9am, Monday 26 February 2024.
Background
On 28 February 2023, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment approved a State Significant Development Application for the construction, operation and decommissioning of a 90MW solar farm located at 30L Delroy Road, Minore, approximately 16KMs west of Dubbo.
The solar farm will have a capacity of approximately 90MW that will supply electricity to the national grid, and comprise the following:
- Solar array
- Upgrades to Delroy Road and new internal roads
- Underground and above ground cables
- Battery storage (25MW)
- Onsite substation and operational facilities
- Connection to the onsite Essential Energy 132 kV transmission line
Further information about the approval can be found on the NSW Government's website at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/forest-glen-solar-farm
Development Layout
A Planning Agreement is an agreement entered into between Council and a developer where the developer agrees to fund public amenities or infrastructure, dedicate land at no cost to Council, or provide monetary contributions or any other material public benefit, for a public purpose.
In accordance with Division 7.1 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, a public purpose includes any of the following:
- The provision of public amenities or services;
- The provision of affordable housing;
- The provision of transport or other infrastructure relating to land;
- The funding or recurrent expenditure relating to the provision of public amenities or public services, affordable housing or transport or other infrastructure;
- The monitoring of the planning impacts of development;
- The conservation or enhancement of the natural environment.
The use of Planning Agreements has increased as a result of their flexibility in allowing councils to capture public benefits outside the infrastructure contributions system.
The Towards 2040 Community Strategic Plan is a vision for the development of the region out to the year 2040. The Plan includes six principle themes and a number of objectives and strategies. This report is aligned to:
Theme: 2 Infrastructure
Objective: 2.2 Infrastructure meets the current and future needs of our community
Delivery Program Strategy: 2.2.5 Council maintains infrastructure and delivers services at the adopted service levels as agreed with the community
Submission Process
In accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 1998, written submissions received by Council containing personal information may be made public when the matter goes before Council for consideration, as it may be included in Council’s Business Papers. Persons have the right to remain anonymous if they so choose by refraining from submitting their personal information, however, the submission may be given less weight in the overall assessment and consideration of the draft Planning Agreement.
