Community
Community Engagement
A commitment to open, engaged consultation with the local community
In progressing the development of Gunning Solar Farm, consultation with relevant local & state authorities, infrastructure providers, community groups and affected landowners will continue to be undertaken. The issues raised, and resolutions found through this process are documented in the EIS and the subsequent Submissions Report.
Consultation relating to the proposed Gunning Solar Farm project commenced in 2017. Since then, the project footprint has considerably changed due to various site constraints and feedback from the landowners and local community. A new State Significant Development Application was initiated in 2021 to reflect the updated site layout.
Key activities to date have included:
- 2017 onwards – conversations with all Gunning host landowners and neighbouring landowners
- 2018/2019 – site investigations (original footprint)
- 2020/2021 – ongoing discussions with host landholders and updated site footprint developed
- January 2022 – discussions with TransGrid commenced and EIS site investigations commenced
- June 2022 – discussions with Crown lands regarding paper roads.
- June 2022 – kick off meeting with Upper Lachlan Shire Council
- September 2022 – Community Consultation drop-in sessions
- February 2023 – discussion with Transport for NSW regarding road access and upgrades.
- May 2023 – meeting with Upper Lachlan Shire Council
- June 2023 – project update letter sent
- July 2023 – additional specialist assessment of proposed access route.
- October 2023 – Community Consultation drop-in sessions held in Gunning
- November 2023 – EIS lodged with Department of Planning and on public display
- November 2023 – Meeting with Upper Lachlan Shire Council
- 2024 – Ongoing consultation with Council, neighbours and community via email, phone and face-to-face meetings.
When the solar farm moves into the construction phase in 2025, the construction contractor undertaking the engineering, procurement, and construction of the project will run community engagement activities, supported by Canadian Solar. These activities will occur prior to and during the construction phase of the project to keep the community updated on the development of the project.
Want to be involved in the Gunning Solar Farm?
When the solar farm moves into the construction phase (expected to be late 2024), the types of opportunities and services required will be:
- Accommodation and Food
- Transportation
- Traffic Management
- Water and Fuel
- Security Services
- Environmental Services
- Engineering Services
- Fencing
- Plant and Equipment
- Landscaping and Rehabilitation Services
- Waste Removal and Recycling
- Material Supply – concrete, quarry material, safety equipment, office supplies
- Site investigation and Testing – surveying, geotechnical testing, compaction testing, soil resistivity and thermal resistivity
- Civil Works
- Labour Hire
We want to hire local where ever possible.
Please reach out via the Contact Us page if you own or know of a local business that can provide the above services.
Community Benefit Program
Canadian Solar are committed to establishing a community benefit program and seek feedback from the community around how such a program may be structured to appropriately support the local community. We held sessions in Gunning in October 2023 where we introduced the concept of a neighbourhood benefit scheme and are always interested in additional feedback. Please get in touch with us via the Contact Page.