Orange solar farm hearing should have been public meeting say participants

The state government's Western Regional Planning Panel conducted Tuesday's hearing by phone. It is now considering whether to approve the Mitchell Highway development about six kilometres north-west of Orange.

Mayor Cr Reg Kidd said he was concerned councillors' objections had not been adequately covered, was unaware he needed to register days in advance to deliver councillors' views and questioned why a public meeting was not held for a $9 million development.

A spokesman for the solar farm proponents ITP Development said: "It would certainly be our preference to have a public meeting."

Cr Kidd said COVID rules had relaxed and public gatherings were allowed. "I think that is a disgrace on such an important development. It's an insult. The state government meets face to face, federal government meets face to face, you can go to church now," he said.

He said most of the panel members were based in Orange.

Cr Kidd said there was a lack of notification about the hearing and the need to register. "The general public wouldn't know," he said.

He said council opposed the site of the development but was not against renewable energy. "It's an industrial business, it is not a farm. That's a soft, emotive term."

A spokesman for nearby residents opposed to the project also queried why a public hearing was not held as COVID-19 restrictions had eased.

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment was contacted for comment.