Seeking input on the community benefit sharing program for the Wattle Creek Energy Hub
We are seeking input from the local community on a benefit sharing program associated with the proposed Wattle Creek Energy Hub, a proposed solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) near Marulan, NSW, situated on the University of Sydney’s Arthursleigh property. We have launched a short survey and encourage everyone to have a say!
Based on the proposed solar farm size of 265 megawatts (MW), the funding available would be over $200,000 per year, amounting to around $7 million over the 30+ year construction and operation period of the energy hub.
This funding aligns with the recommended contribution outlined in the NSW Draft Solar Benefit Sharing Guidelines, which suggests $850 per installed megawatt per annum for a solar generation facility.
Following the initial annual payments, all subsequent payments will be adjusted in accordance with the Consumer Price Index, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, to mitigate the effects of inflation.
The funding would be provided on an annual basis, commencing at the start of construction and linked to the final size of the project. The ultimate size of the project will depend on a number of factors, including outcomes of the planning assessment process and subsequent conditions of consent, grid connection approval, detailed design, and project finance.
The aim of the community benefit sharing program will be to deliver long-lasting social, economic and environmental benefits to the local communities we become a part of. At Spark Renewables, we recognise that every local community is different, which is why we take a location-based approach, working with each community to co-design a benefit sharing program that meets the unique needs of that particular location.
Spark Renewables is seeking community views on how the funds should be distributed, specifically between the council projects, neighbouring residents and the broader community.
The Wattle Creek Energy Hub is a Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project located on the ‘Arthursleigh’ property owned by University of Sydney, located approximately 12km north-east of Marulan in the NSW Southern Tablelands region, situated in the Upper Lachlan Shire.
The Project will also support university research and education through a new onsite, test-bed facility, the establishment of a research fund and other research and education initiatives.
The Wattle Creek Energy Hub initially included a wind farm component, however, this aspect of the Project is no longer proceeding due to low wind speed being recorded onsite.
We are keen to further engage with community members and interested stakeholders to provide an update on the Project and will be holding two community drop-in sessions. Community members will be able to meet with the Spark Renewables team, learn more about the proposed Wattle Creek Energy Hub, and the preliminary results from a range of assessments being undertaken as a part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Project.
Next drop-in sessions
Friday, 31 May 2024 between 4pm and 7pm at the Marulan War Memorial Hall
Saturday, 1 June 2024 between 9am and 12pm at the Canyonleigh Community Hall
Environmental Impact Statement and Social Impact Assessment
The Project is a State Significant Development which requires a comprehensive EIS to be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI). The Solar and BESS components will be progressed through separate approval processes, a separate development application accompanied by separate EISs will be submitted for each component. Umwelt Environmental and Social consultants have been engaged by Spark Renewables to prepare the EIS, including a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and a range of specialist assessments, including:
Aboriginal cultural heritage
Biodiversity
Hazards including fire, bushfire, electromagnetic fields and interference
A high turnout at the first Wattle Creek Energy Hub information day at Marulan
15 March 2023
Over 40 people attended the introductory community drop-in session at the Marulan War Memorial Hall on 9 March 2023.
The drop-in session was a way for the community to hear more about the proposed Wattle Creek Energy Hub and the planning and assessment process.
Attendees at the session raised key topics they would like to see considered throughout the planning process, including:
Potential visual impacts
Increased traffic movements
Associated impact to local road networks during construction
Management of potential noise
The project team will be presenting to interested community groups in Marulan, Big Hill, Canyonleigh, Upper Lachlan, and Goulburn throughout March to April.
To see the posters and maps displayed at the session, please see here:
Spark Renewables announces proposed Wattle Creek Energy Hub in partnership with the University of Sydney
24 February 2023
Following an extensive market selection process, renewable energy developer and long-term owner and operator, Spark Renewables, has been selected by the University of Sydney to investigate and develop a hybrid renewable energy facility on the University’s Arthursleigh property, located in the New South Wales Southern Tablelands.
The proposed site is situated approximately 12 kilometres north-east of Marulan, and approximately two hours’ drive from Sydney. The proposal is strategically positioned to make use of an existing high voltage substation, located adjacent to the property, to deliver clean, renewable energy from the energy hub to the University, local electricity users and the rest of NSW.
If approved, the Wattle Creek Energy Hub could generate up to 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the sun and wind, providing enough clean, reliable energy to power around 170,000 households per year while offsetting the emission of around 950,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The proposal also includes the installation of a large-scale battery with a capacity of up to 500 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity, which would be dispatched on command to provide a range of network support services.
A key element of the proposed energy hub is a two acre “test-bed facility”, which would enable the University of Sydney to undertake research on new and emerging technologies, including further testing of innovative battery systems developed by Gelion, a company spun out from the University in 2015.
Spark Renewables and the University have also agreed to an ongoing research agreement throughout the life of the energy hub, collaborating on initiatives related to clean energy in the fields of science, engineering, business and economics. The proposed partnership will also include a work experience and placement program for undergraduate and PhD students.
The project design will ensure that the University’s existing commercial research and teaching activities can continue on the Arthursleigh farm, with the wind turbines occupying a small proportion of the 6,200 hectare property and the solar farm designed to allow sheep to graze underneath the solar panels.
Anthony Marriner, Head of Spark Renewables, said: “We are honoured to have been selected by the University of Sydney to investigate and develop the proposed Wattle Creek Energy Hub. We look forward to collaborating with the University.”
Spark Renewables will shortly commence consultation with local community members, Traditional Owners and other interested stakeholders.
“If approved, Wattle Creek Energy Hub will bring significant benefits for both the local community and broader region in the form of job creation, investment in the local infrastructure, and through the provision of long-term funding for local social and environmental initiatives. Our commitment includes the establishment of a substantial community benefit fund and also a separate neighbour benefit scheme, which could be used to lower household electricity costs,” Mr Marriner said.
University of Sydney Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research – Enterprise and Engagement) Professor Julie Cairney said: “This long-term partnership with Spark Renewables will support a research program and infrastructure for the translation of research into innovative renewable energy technologies. New clean energy products and knowledge will benefit Australia’s environment and the economy. We look forward to a long and successful partnership.”
The first community drop-in session for the proposed Wattle Creek Energy Hub project will be held from 2-7pm on Thursday, 9 March 2023 at the Marulan War Memorial Hall (80 George Street, Marulan, 2579). Community members will be able to talk to the Spark Renewables’ team to learn more about the project and provide initial feedback.
Spark Renewables is a developer and long-term owner and operator of renewable energy generation assets. Our operational portfolio comprises of the 100 MW Bomen Solar Farm near Wagga Wagga which commenced operations in 2020. Our large development portfolio includes a number of wind, solar and storage projects in the National Electricity Market.
Spark Renewables is owned by the Spark Infrastructure Group – an owner of leading essential energy infrastructure, including generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure across Australia.
Spark Renewables is a member of the Clean Energy Council (CEC) and a signatory to the CEC’s Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Developments.
About Arthursleigh Farm
The farm was bequeathed to the University in 1979 and is operated commercially producing Merino wool, Angus cattle and cereals while supporting a range of teaching and research.
The Wattle Creek Energy Hub is a hybrid renewable energy facility proposed on the ‘Arthursleigh’ property owned by University of Sydney, located approximately 12km north-east of Marulan in the NSW Southern Tablelands region, situated in the Upper Lachlan Shire.
The Energy Hub is proposed to include a wind farm, solar farm and a Battery Energy Storage Facility (BESS).
The project is being developed by Spark Renewables, a leading developer and long-term owner and operator of renewable energy assets. If it proceeds, the project could also support university research and education through a new, onsite, test-bed facility, a research fund and other initiatives.
We are keen to hear from community members and interested stakeholders and will be holding an initial community drop-in session from 2pm to 7pm on Thursday, 9th March 2023 at the Marulan War Memorial Hall, 80 George Street, Marulan. Community members will be able to talk to the Spark Renewables team, learn more about the proposal, and provide initial feedback. Please see the last page of this newsletter for further information.
Why this site?
The proposed site is strategically located to take advantage of local wind conditions, the local solar resource and its location relative to the existing electricity transmission network with a proposed connection to the Marulan Substation.
About the site
The farm is owned by the University of Sydney after being bequeathed in 1979. The farm is operated commercially and is used for a range of research initiatives including agricultural science, pasture agronomy and unmanned aerial vehicle applications. Agricultural land use will continue with the operation of the project, with sheep grazing within the wind and solar farm areas.
What are the community benefits?
The local community will be able to benefit from a range of opportunities connected with the proposal if progressed, including a community fund and a neighbour benefit fund. Spark Renewables is looking to work with local stakeholders to co-design a program that meets the unique needs of the wider community, and delivers long-lasting social, economic and environmental benefits for decades to come. We are keen to hear any ideas from community members as the benefit scheme is developed. If you wish to have a chat or organise a time to meet, please contact us via email at info@wattlecreekenergyhub.com or call 1300 271 419.
Committed to reconciliation
Spark Renewables is putting in place a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan and is committed to creating lasting, positive change for Aboriginal communities. We acknowledge that setting a benchmark as part of First Nations participation plans for each of our projects will be an important step to achieve economic empowerment of First Nations people.
What approvals are required?
The proposal would be considered a State Significant Development and would require development consent under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (EP&A Act). Three Development Applications (DAs) are proposed to be submitted, one for each component of the proposed project (wind, solar and BESS), which would be accompanied by detailed Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). These would include comprehensive assessments identifying the potential impacts of the Project and how to best manage these impacts. A detailed Social Impact Assessment (SIA) would also be prepared for each component of the project as part of the EISs.
The SIAs would include a comprehensive community engagement program and would be prepared following the NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s (DPE) Social Impact Assessment Guideline for State Significant Projects (2021). The Project may also require approval under the federal Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
What is proposed
Wind
Up to 34 wind turbine generators typically spaced 500-1000 meters apart and connected via underground cables.
Modern wind turbines have a tower (hub) height up to 180 metres and blade length up to 100 metres.
Solar
Photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on single axis trackers that slowly rotate and follow the sun from east to west each day.
Battery
A containerised BESS built within the wind and solar farm enabling electricity to be stored and then exported as needed.
Studies
Noise and vibration
Social impact assessment
Visual amenity
Shadow flicker
Biodiversity
Aboriginal heritage
European heritage
Traffic and access
Contamination
Flooding and hydrology
Soils
Bushfire
Waste
Aviation
Electromagnetic interference
Land use
Cumulative impacts
What is a Scoping Report?
A Scoping Report is the first step in the development application process. A Scoping Report provides an outline of the proposed project and identifies important issues that will require further technical studies, assessment and consultation, and is a formal request to the DPE to issue Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs). Separate Scoping Reports will be developed for each of the three technology components of the Project.
Who is developing the EISs and SIAs?
Spark Renewables has commissioned Umwelt Environmental and Social Consultants to undertake a series of preliminary environmental and technical assessments and to prepare the three Scoping Reports. Umwelt will be consulting with the community alongside Spark Renewables and Spectrum Communications to inform the preparation of the EISs and SIAs.
Planning process
The NSW Government has a legislated planning process in eight stages to ensure that a project is suitable for the community, economy, and environment, and therefore whether it should be granted a development approval.
Community consultation
The proposed Wattle Creek Energy Hub project is in the early stages of development and will undergo rigorous planning and assessment. As part of this, we will undertake extensive community consultation and encourage all stakeholders and community members to get involved in this process. This will occur prior to formal development applications being submitted to planning authorities.
Drop-in session
You are welcome to drop in to our first information session at any time to meet the Spark Renewables team, ask questions and learn about the proposed Wattle Creek Energy Hub. We are hosting a face-to-face session at:
Marulan War Memorial Hall 80 George Street, Marulan, NSW, 2579
Thursday, 9th March 2023 between 2pm-7pm
Contact
Call us at 1300 271 419
Visit Facebook at facebook.com/wattlecreekenergyhub
