Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) has withdrawn its objection over the Meadow Creek Solar Farm but it has highlighted potential trace amounts of lead run off from solder used on the solar panels structure.
In a document sighted by this masthead, GMW wrote to the Department of Transport and Planning on 29 August with an update to its earlier submission, as it received more details from proponents about earlier wastewater management concerns.
The proposal is for a 330MW solar facility and a 275MW 4-hour Battery Energy Storage System on 566 hectare, a property located in a Special Water Supply Catchment area, partially subject to flood overlay (FO) and land subject to inundation overlay (FSIO).
The site contains Sheep Station Creek, an additional two unnamed waterways, and the King River about 1.3km to the west.
GMW expressed concerns about the contamination from solder used to construct a renewable energy facility, which would include almost 593,000 solar panels..
“The information provided outlines that the solar panels have trace amounts of lead in the solder of the panel modules,” he letter read.
“The information also outlines that many manufacturers are seeking to adopt lead-free solders.
“It is further noted that there is also potential for chemical leaching of heavy metals from the panels.
“Consideration should therefore be given to the proposed number and concentration of the panels on the site and the potential cumulative risks associated with their ongoing operation.”
Prior to works commencing on the site, GMW will require information from the proponent in relation to the measures to be employed to mitigate such contamination risks to water quality and the broader environment.
It indicated that it will need to be clearly demonstrated that any risk of impact to surface water or groundwater quality is mitigated, to the satisfaction of the responsible authority.
“This may include, as recommended in the information, measures such as the use of panels with lead-free solders,” it read.
In May this year GMW objected to the application as it had insufficient information for the authority to make a full assessment and did not meet EPA guidelines.
These concerns referred to the number of toilets for 350 workers at the peak of construction and required setbacks for the amenities and also from waterways.
Since then, an amended site plan was provided and the toilets will have a contained system and they now meet the required 100-metre setback.
There is also now a clearly identifiable minimum 30-metre setback of building and works from the banks of the waterways.
Based on the information provided, Goulburn-Murray Water stated it has no objection to this planning permit being granted, subject to several conditions.
Victorian government Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny is currently reviewing the planning application.