Joint Development Assessment Panel - Application to amend condition of approval for Solar Farm

Outcome

At its August meeting, Council resolved a Responsible Authority Report Recommendation regarding this item.

To view the Council decision, visit the Shire's Agenda and Minutes page and view the September Council Meeting Minutes.

Background

Conditional approval was granted by the Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) in December 2016 for a solar farm with an extension to the commencement timeframe granted in 2018 until December 2020.

Under the Minister’s Notice of Exemption from Planning Requirements During a State of Emergency, the commencement timeframe was automatically extended by a further two years, requiring substantial commencement by 7 December 2022.

However, condition 21 of the approval states that “the solar farm shall be fully constructed in accordance with the approved plans, within two years from the date of this approval”.

This condition remained as part of the 2016 approval, and essentially prevents the development from commencing given the two years for completion has passed.

This application seeks to amend this condition as follows: “the solar farm shall be fully constructed in accordance with the approved plans, within a period of two years from the commencement of construction”.

The JDAP will replace the Shire as the decision making authority however the Shire will provide a recommendation to the panel.

Where can I view the proposal?

The documents setting out and explaining the proposal are available to view under the "Documents" section of this page.

How can I comment?

The public comment period has now closed.