29 March, 2023
Massive solar farm proposed near Millmerran
Punchs Creek, around 15 kilometres south-east of Millmerran, could become the home of a 800 megawatt solar farm site with 250 megawatts battery storage.
Skylab Group, a solar farm developer based in Brisbane, has submitted an application to Toowoomba Regional Council to construct the facility across multiple lots on Punchs Creek Road.
The total development area is 1345 hectares.
Punchs Creek sits inside the South West Queensland Renewable Energy Zone.
Skylab stated the project will consist of two stages.
“With direct access to the Powerlink Transmission Network this site provides the ultimate balance between connection and opportunity,” it said.
“The site is located on prime land with a 30 year-plus lease option.”
According to construction experts BCI Central, the project has a value of $583.3 million and aims to begin construction in the last quarter of 2024.
The site is owned by Krampl Holdings Pty Ltd (Engelbert and Traudi Krampl).
In the planning report, submitted as part of the application by Echo Consultants, it is said the project seeks to provide a renewable energy source for the local community and connection to the National Electricity Market (NEM), whilst assisting in the reaching of renewable energy targets in Queensland and Australia.
“The renewable energy facility will greatly benefit the local economy through the creation of up to 450 jobs during the construction phase, up to 10 permanent jobs during the operational phase, as well as indirect benefits to local businesses, contractors and suppliers,” it said.
It is also stated the project land is land that has been previously cleared for cropping and grazing purposes.
Skylab and Echo Consultants first met with TRC in 2019 to discuss the proposal.
The site also benefits from the Millmerran to Middle Ridge powerline, managed by Powerlink running through it
In addition to Punchs Creek Road, the project site has road frontage to Turner Road and two unconstructed roads, Campbells Road and The Turkey Road.
The planning report states the proposed project’s layout has been designed to avoid impacts to remnant native vegetation and watercourse and the construction and operation of the facility will have negligible impact on water and air quality, including noise and dust emissions;
Skylab claims the project has already obtained significant support from the local community.
The report also details the project’s lifespan.
“The proposed solar and energy storage component will have an operational lifespan of 30 years which would be facilitated though a lease arrangement with the landowner with the possibility of a further extension,” it said.
“At the conclusion of the lease, the solar and energy storage facility will be decommissioned with the land returned to its original agricultural state to allow the continuation of cropping activities.”
The final size and layout of the facility will be determined during detailed design stages.
As part of the application process, reports were also submitted focussing on traffic impact, cultural heritage, water impact, and visual impact and an environmental management plan.
