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A massive planned solar project northeast of Tamworth has been referred to the independent umpire for determination.
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The proposed Bendemeer solar farm includes the construction and operation of a 200-megawatt State Significant Development (SSD) solar farm with a battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated infrastructure, including an onsite car park and temporary construction compound.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be $438 million.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure assessment report, released this week, noted the project, which would see about 354,330 solar panels mounted on a single-axis tracking system, received “more than 100 unique public submissions by way of objection”.
The department also raised issues around land-use compatibility, biodiversity, traffic and public benefit, where the report noted Athena has reached an agreement in principle with Tamworth Regional Council to enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement, with a developer contribution of about $4.4 million.
The report also noted concerns regarding construction workforce accommodation, raised by Tamworth council in March 2026, were addressed by the developer through additional information provided in August 2026, but contributed to the extended assessment timeframe.
To address the council’s concerns, the department recommended conditions requiring Athena to prepare and implement an Accommodation and Employment Strategy in consultation with both Tamworth Regional Council and EnergyCo.
Construction is expected to require up to 307 workers during the peak period and an average of 250 workers across the 18-month construction phase, followed by about 15 operational jobs.
The assessment report also noted the project has been designed and refined to avoid and minimise biodiversity impacts, including avoiding areas of higher quality native vegetation within the site to the greatest extent possible.
“While approximately 55 ha of native vegetation (Box-Gum Woodland) would be cleared, this is a reduction in clearing by 49 ha when compared to proposed clearing at EIS lodgement.”
Commissioners Sarah Dinning, Duncan Marshall and Mike Smart have been appointed by the commission to determine the development application.
While the commission has access to all previous written submissions to the department, public submissions can be made via the Make a Submission portal until Sunday, December 13.
A public hearing is also scheduled at Bendemeer Town Hall on Saturday, December 5, starting at 10am.
Speakers at the public meeting must pre-register on the commission’s website using the Speaker Registration Form. The deadline for speaker registrations is noon on Friday, November 27.
The public meeting will also be live streamed on the commission’s YouTube channel.
Under the NSW Planning Minister’s Statement of Expectations, the IPC is expected to issue a determination within a rolling average of 50 calendar days from receiving the department’s report.
The 50-day clock is put on hold during the annual summer blackout period from December 20 to January 26.
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