Kingaroy Solar Farm: Residents continue fight as construction date for project set

Construction on the South Burnett’s first solar farm is set to kick off in just weeks, with the 40MW plant continuing to divide the community. Here’s all the latest developments:

Nearly five years after it was first proposed, the controversial Kingaroy solar farm will begin construction in just weeks.

Mytilineos, the multinational company that owns the development, confirmed at a community meeting in June that the 40MW solar facility would begin work in August.

But nearby residents are refusing to give up the fight against the project, saying they fear property values will tank and are worried about the effect the operation will have on their lives.

Karen Mansbridge and Desley Benecke neighbour the parcel of land the farm will be built on, and are staunchly opposed to it.

Karen Mansbridge and Desley Benecke on Ms Mansbridge's property which neighbours the location of Kingaroy Solar Farm set to begin construction in August 2022. Picture: Dominic Elsome

Both women are concerned about the farm’s proximity to the town of Kingaroy and nearby properties, saying 16 homes sit within a 1km radius of the site.

The solar farm, which will be the South Burnett’s first, was controversial from the start. First proposed in 2017, the development ended up in the Planning and Environment Court, with original developers Terrain Solar appealing against the South Burnett Council’s blocking of the project.

The farm, located just over 2km from Kingaroy on Kingaroy Barkers Creek Rd, was eventually approved with minor amendments before the project was sold to Mytilineos that same year.

South Burnett Regional Mayor Brett Otto told the South Burnett Times that with the project approved, there was little the council could do to restrict or modify the proposal.

“Our role will be to monitor, pre and post construction compliance,” Mr Otto said.

“Clearly there will be conditions and our role the ensure that those conditions are strictly complied with ... in relation to the neighbors and the broader community.

“So we will have compliance officers monitoring the activities of the company.”

The plans for the proposed Kingaroy Solar Farm.

Ms Mansbridge said residents had been told the property values were expected to be decreased by 10 to 18 per cent as a result of the project.

With the area prone to flooding, the pair are also concerned about the impact the project will have on water flows, and with the potential for cleaning chemicals used on the panels to run onto neighbouring properties.

Ms Benecke has lived on her property for 38 years, and was hopeful the project would not go ahead.

“I know they’ve invested heavily … but number one we’d like to see it canned and stopped,” Ms Benecke said.

“And if we can’t (stop it) then we want to know the best way that we can manage to live next door.”

Location of Kingaroy Solar Farm set to begin construction in August 2022. Picture: Dominic Elsome

Ms Mansbridge moved in 17 months ago, unaware of the planned project, and wants the project either stopped or for the company to buy out her property.

“It’s changed my whole lifestyle,” Ms Mansbridge said.

“It’s just rude that they can come into this community, and turn it upside down because they want to make money.”

Mayor Brett Otto acknowledged projects like the solar farm provide “short-term injections” of economic stimulus for the region, but questioned the long-term benefits.

“I would raise questions about the long term economic benefits to our community of renewables,” Mr Otto said.

“From our communities point of view, if there's a cost to community and no real economic benefit, then as a council, we have to ask serious questions about why are we doing this.”

Mr Otto also called on Mytilineos to engage more closely with the council and community - particularly the neighbouring property owners.

Mytilineos was invited by Ms Mansbridge and Ms Benecke to a community meeting on July 28 to answer questions and concerns from the community, but the South Burnett Times has been told the company has declined and will instead be sending residents questionnaires.

Mytilineos was contacted for comment but did not respond.

It’s understood a local contractor will be sourced to complete the construction work, with the project expected to last up to 30 years, before it is either returned to grazing land or upgraded.