A controversial proposal for a nearly $10 million solar farm near Cobargo on the NSW South Coast has sparked debate among locals. The development, consisting of a five megawatt (MW) solar farm and battery system, has been submitted by EDPR Australia Pty Ltd to the Bega Valley Shire Council. If approved, the Cobargo Microgrid Solar Farm would span 13.42 hectares, featuring approximately 10,620 solar modules. However, a nearby resident has raised concerns about the project's visual impact on the landscape, potential contamination of Wallaga Lake, and the risk of glare from the panels causing eye complications. The resident has also questioned the lack of community consultation before the development application (DA) was lodged. The project's proponents, EDPR Renewables Australia, argue that the solar farm will strengthen the town's energy security and enable it to operate independently during outages. The Southern Regional Planning Panel will assess the proposal, and the public can make submissions until March 2nd. Will you support or oppose this development? Share your thoughts in the comments.
