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One of Australia’s prettiest and best-loved wine towns is being torn apart over plans for a giant solar farm, with one woman saying it has even affected her marriage.
Mudgee, in the center of NSW, is renowned for its food, wine and beautiful scenery and has just been voted Australia’s top tourist town for the second year in a row.
But a plan by the local Cox family to install 25,000 solar panels — at Burrundulla Solar Farm — has pitted them against many in the community, from the mayor to businesses and ordinary residents.
If the proposal goes through, there will be a huge sea of glass panels and a three-meter-high, 1.5-kilometer-long hill of sand along the side of the road leading into the city.
“You won’t be able to see the mountains in the background, just this big mound of soil with weeds everywhere,” said Des Kennedy, the mayor of the city of 12,500. A current matter.
Anita Rusden (pictured) said fighting the solar farm next door was tough on her marriage
Business Mudgee President Ali Broinowski said, “Nobody is against solar, it’s just location. This is not a location for a solar park.’
Craig and Anita Rusden moved to Mudgee because they wanted to live the rural life. They didn’t expect to see a huge solar park next to their property.
“It’s been tough on our marriage, it’s tough on our kids,” said Ms. Rusden.
Mr Rusden added: ‘Nobody wants to look outside and see a paddock full of solar panels.’
One of the most famous locals is Ken Sutcliffe, the former Wide World of Sports presenter, and he is vehemently against the proposal.
“Don’t put this on the front door of one of the most beautiful and historic cities in Australia,” he said.
Mayor Kennedy said there are already several solar companies in the area, but none of them are that close to the city.
“We probably have more solar farms in the construction phase or in the DA (development application) phase than any other area in the state,” he said.
“Here we’re going to dig up 40, 50 acres of beautiful land and put damn solar panels on it for a few bumps, it just doesn’t stack up.”
The Burrundulla Solar Farm proposal comes from the Cox family, whose ancestors have lived in the area for two centuries.
“You can’t tell if it’s a lake or a solar park, it’s that simple,” Chris Cox said, defending the plan.
The family’s proposal to the Mid-Western Regional Council states that “approximately 29 residential houses are located within a 1 kilometer radius of the site from which the site can be viewed.”
Mr Cox did not disagree with people who say it would be an eyesore, saying there are ‘thorn wounds everywhere (one more won’t make any difference’).
The Cox family hopes to build a 25,000-panel solar farm on the outskirts of Mudgee in NSW. Pictured are solar panels on a solar park
Mudgee (pictured), in central NSW, has just been named Australia’s top tourist town for the second year in a row
He said the proposed site, next to his family winery, would make good use of poor land.
“It’s really poor soil…and covered in clay,” he said.
But neighbors take that with a grain of salt, saying adjacent fields support rich grazing land and vineyards.
The solar farm has already been knocked back by the council three times, but the Cox’s plan to bring it back a fourth time.
Mudgee is known for its food, wine and beautiful scenery. Pictured is a vineyard in Mudgee
Mr Sutcliffe said it was time the Coxes came up with another idea.
“Get the hint, guys, get the hint. Go make money somewhere else,” he said.
But Mr. Cox is not deterred. “They have to look after their interests, we have to look after ours,” he said.