Solar farm debate still firing up locals
NEARLY five years after it was first proposed, the controversial Kingaroy solar farm will begin construction in just weeks.
Mytilineos, the multinational company that owns the development, confirmed at a community meeting in June that the 40MW solar facility would begin work in August.
But nearby residents refuse to give up the fight against the project and said they feared property values would tank and were worried about the effect the operation would have on their lives.
Karen Mansbridge and Desley Benecke neighbour the parcel of land the farm will be built on, and were staunchly opposed to it.
Both women were concerned about the farm’s proximity to Kingaroy and nearby properties, with 16 homes within a 1km radius.
First proposed in 2017, the development ended up in the Planning and Environment Court, with original developers Terrain Solar appealing against the South Burnett Council’s blocking of the project.
The farm, located just over 2km from Kingaroy on Kingaroy Barkers Creek Rd, was eventually approved with minor amendments before the project was sold to Mytilineos that same year.
South Burnett Regional Mayor Brett Otto said that with the project approved, there was little the council could do to restrict or modify the proposal.
“Our role will be to monitor, pre and post construction compliance,” Mr Otto said.
“Clearly there will be conditions and our role the ensure that those conditions are strictly complied with.”
Ms Mansbridge said residents had been told the property values were expected to decrease by 10 to 18 per cent as a result of the project. With the area prone to flooding, the pair was also concerned about the impact the project would have on water flows.
Ms Benecke has lived on her property for 38 years and was hopeful the project would not go ahead.
“And if we can’t (stop it) then we want to know the best way that we can manage to live next door.”
Ms Mansbridge moved in 17 months ago, unaware of the planned project, and wanted the project stopped or for the company to buy her out.
“It’s just rude that they can come into this community, and turn it upside down because they want to make money,” she said.
Mayor Brett Otto questioned the long-term benefits.
“From our community’s point of view, if there’s a cost to community and no real economic benefit, then as a council, we have to ask serious questions about why are we doing this,” he said.
Mytilineos was invited to a community meeting on July 28 to answer questions but this paper has been told the company declined and would instead send residents questionnaires.
Mytilineos was contacted for comment but did not respond.