Orange solar farm can go ahead with conditions, hearing told

The WRPP began hearing the development application for the $8.9 million project next to the Mitchell Highway on Tuesday.

The hearing was told the farm would consist of 12,180 solar modules arranged in 140 rows. It would take up about 22 hectares of the 78 hectare site with the panels fronting the highway.

Last month a majority of Orange City councillors opposed the solar park development.

Councillors argued it was in the wrong place, would take up farming land with potential residential use as the city expanded, would create an unsightly entrance to Orange and would adversely affect neighbours' views.

The council received 59 public submissions opposing the farm and 21 in support.

However, the assessment report from council staff to the WRPP suggested approval with conditions including limiting the capacity of the solar farm.

"Doing so would ensure that as efficiencies improve, the scale of the development does not exceed any thresholds for designated development," it said.

"Secondly, it would serve to reduce the size of the facility over time, which would assist in reducing the amount of sterilised land occupied by the development which could potentially coincide with the [proposed future] residential progression to the [area]."

"The subject land is identified as a future residential area in council's long term housing strategy," it said.

However the report said council was unlikely to need the land for residential development within the next 15-20 years but could need it within 20-25 years.

The report also said the solar farm would create "unsatisfactory visual impacts in the locality" even after full landscaping was achieved when screening trees matured.

"Moreover, it is acknowledged that extensive conditions of consent are required to ensure that the development is within acceptable levels.

"Given these two factors, it would open for the panel to consider these impacts unacceptable and then refuse the development."

The state government panel's hearing was conducted via a teleconference which had restrictions including requiring people who wanted to speak or listen to the hearing having to lodge a request last week.

After hearing submissions from both sides the panel adjourned to consider its decision.

It is due to be released within seven days.