Referral summary · EPBC Act Public Portal

Summary
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Project description

The Project will involve the construction, operation and decommissioning a photovoltaic (PV) solar facility with a targeted electricity generating capacity of approximately 280 MW Direct Current (DC), battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of approximately 200 MW / 400 MWh, and associated infrastructure.

The Project Area is crossed by an existing 330 kilovolt (kV) above-ground transmission line which traverses southwest-northeast section of the Project Area. The transmission line is owned and operated by TransGrid (Line 85) and runs from Armidale to Tamworth. The Project will supply electricity to the national electricity grid via the existing electricity transmission network.

The total Project Area is 606.4 ha, with a disturbance footprint of 476.6 ha and avoidance area of 129.8 ha. This disturbance footprint includes impacts to approximately 103.4 ha of native vegetation communities.

The proposed action will include construction, operation and decommissioning activities which will include native vegetation clearing, excavation, construction of solar array foundations and hard stand areas, construction of access roads and laydown areas, construction of ancillary infrastructure and associated temporary construction noise. Construction activities will result in direct impacts to known or potential habitat for listed threatened species and communities through vegetation clearing and habitat loss. Indirect impacts to areas of retained habitat may occur through changes to light, noise and hydrology features during the construction phase.

Project elements include:

Solar Arrays

The PV array will be the largest component of the Project and will comprise approximately 430,000 PV modules, each with a nameplate capacity of approximately 665 W, installed on single-axis tracking structures across three solar arrays (east, north and south). Each PV module typically measures 2.4 m by 1.3 m with rows spacing approximately 6.2 m apart.
The operational rotation range of the tracking system is typically +/- 60 degrees from the horizontal position. The maximum height of the PV modules above natural ground is up to 4.2 m. The modules will typically return to face east after sunset.
Individual PV modules are constructed using a “high-transmission, low-iron” glass which has lower reflectance and therefore glare than that of normal glass. A coating applied to the module surface creates a stippled finish to further diffuse the reflected light and therefore energy.
The PV modules will feature an unpainted aluminium frame to provide structural support and facilitate module mounting on the tracking structure
The final number of PV modules within the three arrays and tracker design will be dependent on detailed design, equipment availability and commercial considerations. These dimensions may alter based on site constraints such as boundaries, riparian zone, existing vegetation, and access tracks.

BESS

The BESS will be located within the site compound, laydown and substation footprint area, occupying an area of up to 20,000 m2. The BESS will utilise lithium-ion technology with a nameplate capacity of approximately 200 MW / 400 MWh. The BESS will utilise a pre-assembled and pre-tested, fully integrated system that includes the battery modules, inverters, transformers, thermal management system, circuit breakers and other controls. The number and layout of battery modules and cabinets would be confirmed during detailed design.
The BESS will include a liquid cooling system to optimally operate the cells within a wide range of ambient temperatures. The BESS will be temperature monitored, and the automated control system will stop/reduce its operation if the temperature exceeds pre-set levels to prevent overheating. The BESS will be certified to UL9540A to prevent fire propagation between units, and ignition from external fire sources.

Solar PV Power Conversion Units (PCUs)

A total of approximately 60 modular PCUs will be utilised, incorporating inverters and transformers and associated control equipment. Each modular PCU structure will typically be the size of a 40 foot (ft) shipping container structure, with an installed height of approximately 4 m.
The PCUs will be connected to the solar array blocks to convert the DC electricity generated by the PV modules into AC power for reticulation around the site and connection to the electricity grid.

Electrical Reticulation and Grid Connection

The Solar Farm and BESS will each have a dedicated 33/330kV transformer which will be in the substation adjacent to the switching station. The substation will be connected to the switching station, and the switching station will be connected to the existing 330 kV line, which separates the north and south arrays.
The substation will be comprised of two transformers, high voltage switchgear, metering, protection and communications infrastructure. A security fence will surround the substation. The switchyards and associated equipment will be designed in accordance with AS2067, AS3000 as well as the associated referenced standards. The design will consider the site environmental conditions.

On-site O&M Facility

A permanent site O&M Facility will be constructed to provide for all operations and maintenance activities associated with the Project. The O&M Facility will be located adjacent the substation and BESS.

Other Infrastructure

Additional infrastructure will generally be constructed and utilised within the Project Area, including water management, sediment and erosion control structures, fencing and access tracks.

Internal Access Tracks

The ongoing maintenance of the Project will be accessed through internal access tracks within the Project area, that will be connected to existing public roads. The tracks will provide ongoing access to the PV modules, substation and other Project infrastructure including the existing 330 kV line. Where practicable, the internal access track network will be aligned along the route of existing farm tracks to reduce impacts to biodiversity and to provide upgraded access for ongoing agricultural activities.
The internal access tracks will be up to 6 m trafficable width, with localised widening on curves and where required to support transportation of the over-dimensional component vehicles. The internal access tracks will be constructed using gravel or sealed pavements.

Lighting

Lighting will typically be required on each PCU, at the substation, switchyard and O&M Facility. Security lighting will be installed adjacent to security fencing and O&M Facility. All lighting will be designed, managed and operated in accordance with ‘AS 4282 Control of Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting’ (Standards Australia, 2019), to reduce negligible light spill

Landscape

The landscape strategy for the Project Area will include vegetation planting to screen the western and southwest boundaries, providing a visual buffer to the surrounding areas. Landscaping will comprise planting of native trees, shrubs and groundcovers, designed to be low-maintenance and which will further enhance the natural habitat associated with the existing environment.

External Infrastructure

The Project will rely on Tamworth existing waste and wastewater disposal facilities and the existing external road network. Public power and communications infrastructure may also be utilised.
The Project will operate as a stand-alone operation; however, may also utilise various electrical reticulation, monitoring masts and other infrastructure from the Bendemeer Wind Farm (upon its positive determination) as described and assessed in that Application.

A detailed description of the proposed action and activities is provided in the attached ‘Bendemeer Solar Farm EPBC Act Significant Impact Assessment Report’, Section 1.3, pp 2-5).

<p>The Project will involve the construction, operation and decommissioning a photovoltaic (PV) solar facility with a targeted electricity generating capacity of approximately 280 MW Direct Current (DC), battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of approximately 200 MW / 400 MWh, and associated infrastructure.&nbsp;</p><p>The Project Area is crossed by an existing 330 kilovolt (kV) above-ground transmission line which traverses southwest-northeast section of the Project Area. The transmission line is owned and operated by TransGrid (Line 85) and runs from Armidale to Tamworth.&nbsp;The Project will supply electricity to the national electricity grid via the existing electricity transmission network.&nbsp;</p><p>The total Project Area is 606.4 ha, with a disturbance footprint of 476.6 ha and avoidance area of 129.8 ha. This disturbance footprint includes impacts to approximately 103.4 ha of native vegetation communities.</p><p>The proposed action will include construction, operation and decommissioning activities which will include native vegetation clearing, excavation, construction of solar array foundations and hard stand areas, construction of access roads and laydown areas, construction of ancillary infrastructure and associated temporary construction noise.&nbsp;Construction activities will result in direct impacts to known or potential habitat for listed threatened species and communities through vegetation clearing and habitat loss. Indirect impacts to areas of retained habitat may occur through changes to light, noise and hydrology features during the construction phase.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Project elements include:</p><p><strong>Solar Arrays</strong></p><ul><li>The PV array will be the largest component of the Project and will comprise approximately 430,000 PV modules, each with a nameplate capacity of approximately 665 W, installed on single-axis tracking structures across three solar arrays (east, north and south). Each PV module typically measures 2.4&nbsp;m by 1.3 m with rows spacing approximately 6.2 m apart.&nbsp;</li><li>The operational rotation range of the tracking system is typically +/- 60 degrees from the horizontal position.&nbsp;The maximum height of the PV modules above natural ground is up to 4.2 m. The modules will typically return to face east after sunset.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li>Individual PV modules are constructed using a “high-transmission, low-iron” glass which has lower reflectance and therefore glare than that of normal glass.&nbsp;A coating applied to the module surface creates a stippled finish to further diffuse the reflected light and therefore energy.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li>The PV modules will feature an unpainted aluminium frame to provide structural support and facilitate module mounting on the tracking structure</li><li>The final number of PV modules within the three arrays and tracker design will be dependent on detailed design, equipment availability and commercial considerations. These dimensions may alter based on site constraints such as boundaries, riparian zone, existing vegetation, and access tracks.&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>BESS</strong></p><ul><li>The BESS will be located within the site compound, laydown and substation footprint area, occupying an area of up to 20,000 m2.&nbsp; The BESS will utilise lithium-ion technology with a nameplate capacity of approximately 200 MW / 400 MWh.&nbsp;The BESS will utilise a pre-assembled and pre-tested, fully integrated system that includes the battery modules, inverters, transformers, thermal management system, circuit breakers and other controls.&nbsp; The number and layout of battery modules and cabinets would be confirmed during detailed design.</li><li>The BESS will include a liquid cooling system to optimally operate the cells within a wide range of ambient temperatures.&nbsp; The BESS will be temperature monitored, and the automated control system will stop/reduce its operation if the temperature exceeds pre-set levels to prevent overheating. The BESS will be certified to UL9540A to prevent fire propagation between units, and ignition from external fire sources.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>Solar PV Power Conversion Units (PCUs)</strong></p><ul><li>A total of approximately 60 modular PCUs will be utilised, incorporating inverters and transformers and associated control equipment. Each modular PCU structure will typically be the size of a 40&nbsp;foot&nbsp;(ft) shipping container structure, with an installed height of approximately 4 m.</li><li>The PCUs will be connected to the solar array blocks to convert the DC electricity generated by the PV modules into AC power for reticulation around the site and connection to the electricity grid.&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>Electrical Reticulation and Grid Connection&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li>The Solar Farm and BESS will each have a dedicated 33/330kV transformer which will be in the substation adjacent to the switching station. The substation will be connected to the switching station, and the switching station will be connected to the existing 330 kV line,&nbsp;which separates the north and south arrays.</li><li>The substation will be comprised of two transformers, high voltage switchgear, metering, protection and communications infrastructure.&nbsp; A security fence will surround the substation. The switchyards and associated equipment will be designed in accordance with AS2067, AS3000 as well as the associated referenced standards. The design will consider the site environmental conditions.&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>On-site O&amp;M Facility&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li>A permanent site O&amp;M Facility will be constructed to provide for all operations and maintenance activities associated with the Project.&nbsp; The O&amp;M Facility will be located adjacent the substation and BESS.</li></ul><p><strong>Other Infrastructure</strong></p><ul><li>Additional infrastructure will generally be constructed and utilised within the Project Area, including water management, sediment and erosion control structures, fencing and access tracks.</li></ul><p><strong>Internal Access Tracks</strong></p><ul><li>The ongoing maintenance of the Project will be accessed through internal access tracks within the Project area, that will be connected to existing public roads.&nbsp;The tracks will provide ongoing access to the PV modules, substation and other Project infrastructure including the existing 330 kV line.&nbsp; Where practicable, the internal access track network will be aligned along the route of existing farm tracks to reduce impacts to biodiversity and to provide upgraded access for ongoing agricultural activities.&nbsp;</li><li>The internal access tracks will be up to 6 m trafficable width, with localised widening on curves and where required to support transportation of the over-dimensional component vehicles.&nbsp; The internal access tracks will be constructed using gravel or sealed pavements.&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>Lighting&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li>Lighting will typically be required on each PCU, at the substation, switchyard and O&amp;M Facility. Security lighting will be installed adjacent to security fencing and O&amp;M Facility. All lighting will be designed, managed and operated in accordance with ‘AS 4282&nbsp;Control of Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting’ (Standards Australia, 2019), to reduce negligible light spill</li></ul><p><strong>Landscape</strong></p><ul><li>The landscape strategy for the Project Area will include vegetation planting to screen the western and southwest boundaries, providing a visual buffer to the surrounding areas. Landscaping will comprise planting of native trees, shrubs and groundcovers, designed to be low-maintenance and which will further enhance the natural habitat associated with the existing environment.&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>External&nbsp;Infrastructure&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li>The Project will rely on Tamworth existing waste and wastewater disposal facilities and the existing external road network. Public power and communications infrastructure may also be utilised.&nbsp;</li><li>The Project will operate as a stand-alone operation; however, may also utilise various electrical reticulation, monitoring masts and other infrastructure from the Bendemeer Wind Farm (upon its positive determination) as described and assessed in that Application.</li></ul><p>A detailed description of the proposed action and activities is provided in the attached ‘Bendemeer Solar Farm EPBC Act Significant Impact Assessment Report’, Section 1.3, pp 2-5).&nbsp;</p>

Project map

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Draw and upload shapes

Project area

Disturbance footprint

Avoidance area

Retention area

How to guide

Map tools

The map supports panning, zooming in/out, navigating through extents*, and downloading a PDF version of the map*.

_{*This help guide may vary to your experience as elements can be configured, added or removed by the page owner.}

To move around the map, click and hold anywhere on the map and drag. To zoom in/out, use the two buttons on the bottom right (displayed as magnifying glass icons) or use the mouse/trackpad scroll function.

Full-screen can be enabled by clicking on the first button shown in the figure below. This experience is recommended for smaller screens

The extent navigator consists of the three buttons below the full-screen control. Each time the map is dragged or the zoom level changes, the viewport of the map is captured these controls enable the ability to jump back and forth across these viewports.

The previous button will return to the previously saved viewport (If applicable).

The next button will go to the next saved viewport (If applicable. Will enable once you use the previous extent button).

The home button will return to the original viewport when the map first loaded.

The fourth button will trigger a download of your current view on the map in a PDF version.

Search bar

This tool allows you to search for an address, location and a set of coordinates (currently accepted in the format of Latitude, Longitude). (Shown in Figure 1)

Once you have finished typing your search parameters you can press the Enter key or click on magnifying glass icon to perform a search, there will be a minor delay while locations are returned as suggestions. (Shown in Figure 2)

Click on the desired location and the map will place a marker on that location and zoom in on it.

To cancel or remove the marker, click on the cross icon that replaces the magnifying glass after selecting a suggested location.

Base maps

This tool allows to switch between a street and satellite base map as shown in the figure below.

Measurement

This tool allows you to draw lines and polygons specifically for measurement*. Items drawn using this tool have specific styling to identify them easier.

To delete all measurements, select the red trash icon

_{*This help guide may vary to your experience as elements can be configured, added or removed by the page owner.}

Annotation

This tool allows to draw markers, lines and text.

_{*This help guide may vary to your experience as elements can be configured, added or removed by the page owner.}

When selecting an annotation tool, you can cancel drawing/placing it by re-selecting the same annotation tool. If you have already started drawing and wish to cancel then you can press the Escape key on your keyboard.

To delete an annotation, select the delete tool as shown below. Once the button is red you can click on the annotation you wish to delete and you will be presented with a confirmation pop-up. Once an item is deleted the delete tool is disabled.

Upload

This tool allows you to submit shape files or manually drawn polygons*

_{*This help guide may vary to your experience as elements can be configured, added or removed by the page owner.}

To upload a shape file you can either drag your file directly into the 'Upload a shape' control or click on it to select your file.

Once a file has been uploaded the control will change to display the file name as shown below.

Next to the title of each upload control is a three-dot icon, you can use eye icon within the three-dot menu to toggle visibility of each set of shapes. Visibility does not affect submission.

Next to each upload control, there is a color picker that allows you to apply styling to each shape*.

To draw a shape instead click on the polygon icon at the top of 'Draw a Shape'. The same logic from annotations applies for cancelling the drawing. If upload/draw is available, you can only provide one of each.

You can also remove the shape by clicking on the 'Delete shape' located within the three-dot menu next to the file name.

Supported file formats are:

Esri Shapefile (ZIP)
KML
KMZ
GeoJSON

Layer list

This tool allows you to search and toggle layers

_{*This help guide may vary to your experience as elements can be configured, added or removed by the page owner.}

To search layers by attributes, you need to put any value from a layer's metadata and click the search icon next to the text box. It will take some time to list the layers matching the search text. You can clear the result by clicking on the 'Clear filters' button, which will list the original records.

To search layer by drawing, you need to click on the 'Filter by area' tab and then click on the 'Filter layers within area' button that should allow to draw a rectangle on the map. Once you finished drawing the rectangle it will take some time to list the layers matching the rectangle's area. You can clear the result by clicking on the 'Clear Filters' button, which will list the original records.

To toggle layers, expand the group dropdown to display the list of layers available.

Click on a checkbox to turn on the layer. If the layer has children then sub-layers will display with additional checkboxes.

Pressing on the three-dot icon on a parent layer will allow you to zoom to extent of the whole layer

Pressing on the three-dot icon on a sub layer will allow you to zoom to the extent of the sub layer, show layer attributes, filter by attribute (available on some layers) and change opacity level.

Layer Attributes

Selecting layer attributes from the three-dot menu will render a table on the bottom of the screen containing all the features within the layer. Depending on the amount of data, loading this table may take some time. During loading you can click on the cancel button which will display the currently loaded data.

In this table you can perform the following:

Click on individual rows to highlight and zoom in to a particular feature
Use the checkbox to select one/multiple/all features and then click on the pin icon to highlight and zoom it to the selected features
Use the checkbox to select one/multiple/all features and then click on the document icon to export attribute data to a CSV file
Use the polygon icon to draw a polygon on the map which will select all features within the boundaries of your drawn shape, and filter the table down
Individual column filtering as well as global table filtering

To minimise the attribute table click the attribute table header.

To expand and collapse the attribute table click the arrow icon.

To close the table, use the cross icon located on the right side.

Layers can also be interacted with by clicking on a feature with your mouse/tapping on the screen. Clicking on a feature will display an attribute pop-up.

Legend

This tool provides a styling guide on all elements rendered on the map (layers and uploaded/drawn shapes).

You can individually collapse/expand legend entries or use the 'Expand All' and 'Collapse All' buttons.

Keyboard navigation

This app supports keyboard navigation to make it more accessible for users*. Use the following keys to navigate throughout the app.

Tool Bar

'Tab' key to navigate between the toolbar buttons and menus.
'Spacebar' or 'Enter' key to interact with the selected control.

Layer List

'Tab' key to navigate between the different collapsible panels and their child items.
Arrow keys to navigate between the collapsible panel headers
'Spacebar' or 'Enter' key to open a selected panel.
'Spacebar' keys to enable the selected layer or open the layer options menu.
Arrow keys to navigate the layer option menu items, and the 'Spacebar' or 'Enter' key to interact with the selected item.
'Escape' key to close the layer options menu.

Layer Attributes

The Layer Attributes table can be opened from the layer options menu.

'Tab' key to navigate between the table controls, rows, and cells.
'Enter' key to sort a column when you have the column header selected.
'Spacebar' or 'Enter' key to open the selected column filter.
Arrow keys key to change the filter options and the 'Tab' quick to navigate between the controls.
'Spacebar' or 'Enter' key to interact with the filter controls.
'Escape' key to close the filter menu.

Layer Filters

The Layer Filters modal can be opened from the layer options menu.

'Tab' key to navigate between the controls.
'Spacebar' or 'Enter' key to interact with the controls.
Arrow keys to select an option from the dropdown menus.

Map controls

'Tab' key to navigate to the desired control.
'Spacebar' or 'Enter' key to interact with the control.

_{*Note that keyboard navigation/interaction might not be available for all functionalities due to technical limitations or administrative configurations.}

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Decisions related with this referral

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Project map

Base maps

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Legend

How to guide

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