Plans revealed for Tamworth solar farm with battery storage

The proposed Tamworth Solar Farm, located on Soldier Settlement Road in Bective, will create up to 65 megawatts and include a 19-megawatt hour battery storage unit.

Documents lodged with the state government, which are currently on public display, state up to 200 jobs will be created during the development's construction, with one or two ongoing operation jobs.

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"Approximately 50 per cent of these workers will be local residents in the surrounding area," the document states.

"This will be a significant benefit to the community at a time when the local economy is suffering from one of the worst droughts on record."

Six landholders neighbouring the solar farm have raised concerns about the visual impact and what affect that could have on property prices, however the developer says beyond one kilometre, there were "very few opportunities to view the proposal due to topography, access and vegetation".

"The layout has been designed so that there are no panels south of the transmission line to reduce the impact on the closest neighbours," the document states.

"Extensive vegetation plantings will be established to screen views to the site. Existing shelter belts that have been planted around the property boundary will be retained and enhanced."

The intersection of Oxley Highway and Babbinboon Road will be upgraded to allow for a left-turn deceleration lane, while the intersection of Babbinboon-Warminster road intersection will also be sealed.

No specific price tag has been put on the solar farm, however it is more than $30 million.

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