Mayor Des Kennedy, in a Mayoral Minute circulated at the beginning of the meeting to media, said that Council will object to both solar farm DAs at Burrundulla and Old Mill Road.

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"For those that aren't aware, The talk of the town in Gulgong, Mudgee and Kandos and Rylstone are solar farms that are popping up or DAs proposed to be put in, in close proximity to Gulgong and Mudgee," Cr Kennedy said.

"Whereby this Council in no way at all has one problem with renewable energy or such things in the future, we're not silly enough to know that sooner or later we're gonna have to get power from somewhere else,"

"So we're going to go to the State Government and request that there's more science that goes into where these solar farms can be built. Not right on the edge of an entrance into town, not right near somebody's doorstep,"

"In the big picture these are smallish solar panels but if somebody wants to build 40 solar panels in front of your house you're not going to like it."

Below is the contents of the Mayoral Minute as read by Cr Kennedy.

That Council:

1. Confirms that it is not against renewable energy projects if they are in the right location.

2. Makes a submission objecting to DA0283/2019 which is proposed for Old Mill Road, Gulgong. The reason for making submission is that the proposed site is not considered suitable for development of a solar farm as:

- It is too close to the existing town centre and boundary which will limit the ability for future residential development;

- It will have adverse visual impacts on adjoining property owners, the rural landscape and scenic town entrance corridor;

- It is inconsistent with the local character of Gulgong and its heritage features which are highly valued by the community and well recognised by visitors and;

3. Makes a submission objecting to DA0288/2019 which is proposed for Sydney Road, Burrundulla. The reason for making a submission is that the proposed site is not considered suitable for development of a solar farm as:

- it is too close to the existing town centre and boundary which will limit the ability for future residential development;

- It will have adverse visual impacts on adjoining property owners, the rural landscape and scenic town entrance corridor;

- It is inconsistent with the local character of Mudgee and its heritage and wine destination features which are highly valued by the community and well recognised by visitors.

Cr Shelley spoke against the Mayoral Minute.

"The reason I'm speaking against it is because in all conscience...point one I definitely agree with which confirms that we are not against renewable energy and I agree with point two, regarding the Gulgong Solar Farm," Cr Shelley said.

"I don't however agree with Burrundulla and the reason I don't agree with the Burrundulla is one, the process hasn't fully taken place,"

"Even though the exhibition period is still on and that's when submissions are required to be submitted, there's been no availability to answer the extra concerns that the nearby neighbours have for this development,"

"Now I think the process should be taken through to its proper conclusion. I personally - and this is personally with the limited information I have - do not not support the Burrundulla Solar Farm,"

Cr Shelley disagreed with some claims that the Burrundulla development would have an adverse effect on the perception of Mudgee and its heritage value.

"I don't think it is in a place where it will affect Mudgee and its heritage and everything else put in this motion. We do need to consider renewable energies, I know some people might find that a bit different to my support from KEPCO, but there must be a transition phase and I believe this is part of it,"

"But I also do agree with Cr Thompsons's forthcoming motion that there needs to be more planning on where these solar farms are based. I just don't think that making an objection to Burrundulla at this point is warranted."

The motion was carried with five votes for, Cr Shelley abstained from voting.

Councillors Holden and Cavalier left the room for the discussions because of conflicts of interest.

Councillor Percy Thompson moved a motion that 'Council support renewable energy. And a delegation meet with the relevant minister to ensure legislation is in place supporting solar farm planning and development in appropriate locations.'

"Not alongside the town, and approaches to our town and near people's residences," Cr Thompson said.

"I think it's a very important motion Mr Mayor, as were all aware it's been a fair while since we were made aware these solar farms are going to be put along the roads leading into our towns,"

Mudgee Guardian solar farm coverage

"I've had a hell of a lot of people contact me about it, I explain to them that Council doesn't make the decision. An independent planning panel that makes that decision and that we only put a submission which is within your Mayoral Minute - what we're going to put forward which is very good,"

"We just can't allow this to go ahead and happen. It's going to devalue people's land. It's going to devalue our towns, it's going to affect our tourism,"

"It's really vandalism what they want to do in our shire."

"We need to do something to get the minister to act."

Cr Shelley spoke on Cr Thompsons motion, reversing an initial comment that he would support it, citing the last sentence on the motion.

"I said when I spoke when I abstained from your Mayoral Minute - that I was going to support Councillor Thompson's motion," he said.

"I will not be supporting that, considering the last sentence of that motion which is 'appropriate locations not adjacent to towns and residences.'"

"If we're going to have a delegation and meet with the relevant minister then surely if were supporting solar farm development in appropriate locations then it'd be difficult to say well 'this is what should be in it' whereas the whole idea of a delegation and discussion is to find the best possible outcome,"

"Everything Councillor Thompson said, people could apply to coal mines. Everything,"

"This Council did not put through a motion to stop any coal mine in our region, and I'm glad they didn't. Because coal is very important to our economy and I certainly support it,"

The motion was lost on Mayor Kennedy's casting vote.

Again, councilors Holden and Cavalier left the room for all solar farm discussions because of conflicts of interest.