Dubbo Regional Council are set to hold a meeting with locals from the Wellington and Suntop region in order to better explain the Department of Planning and Environment's decision process with regards to renewable energy projects.
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The meeting is to be held at the Wellington Civic Centre on Wednesday February 27 at 5.30pm and will run until 6.30pm.
Mayor of the Dubbo Region and Councillor Ben Shields will be in attendance as the chair of the meeting and is hoping to clarify the 'limited role' council plays in the approval of projects such as the Suntop Solar Farm developments.
“It is important the community has access to all the information on these major issues and Wellington has had a number of significant renewable energy projects proposed and in some cases developed,” Councillor Shields said.
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The projects have attracted pushback from farmers in the Suntop area who are concerned about the usage of what they consider to be 'prime agricultural land' and the effects that construction may have on the surrounding area.
The meeting to be held on February 27, however, will focus solely on the processes that the Department of Planning and Environment undergo in reviewing development applications rather than an examination of the merits of the projects.
“Major projects relating to renewable energy are generally decided by the Minister for Planning or under delegation by the Department of Planning and Environment. Council’s involvement is limited.
“Council’s Director of Planning and Environment Stephen Wallace will be in attendance to explain how it works and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.”
Anyone looking for more information or clarity on the matter can contact the Dubbo Regional Council’s Director of Planning and Environment on (02) 6801 4000.
