WHITE ROCK SOLAR FARM - Glen Innes Severn Appendix … · Green Bean Design Pty Ltd (GBD) was commissioned by NGH Environmental Pty Ltd on behalf of White Rock Solar Farm Pty Ltd

GREEN BEAN DESIGN l a n d s c a p e a r c h i t e c t s

1 White Rock Solar Project, Visual Impact Assessment v3 Final March 2016

WHITE ROCK SOLAR FARM VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Prepared for:

White Rock Solar Farm Pty Ltd Prepared by:

GREEN BEAN DESIGN PTY LTD PO Box 3178 Austral NSW 2179 Principal: Andy Homewood BSc (Dual Hons), DipLM, DipHort, Registered Landscape Architect, AILA (ABN: 86 603 575 702)

March 2016




DOUCMENT CONTROL ITEM DETAIL

Project Name: White Rock Solar Farm

Report Title: Visual Impact Assessment

Project Number: 16-210

Version Number: v3

Status: Final

Author:

Andrew Homewood, Registered Landscape Architect, AILA

Graduate Diploma Landscape Management, Bachelor Science (Dual Honours)

Landscape Design and Archaeology, National Diploma Horticulture

Date 4 March 2016

Green Bean Design – Capability statement

Green Bean Design (GBD) was established as a landscape architectural consultancy in 1999 and has

specialised in landscape and visual impact assessment over the past 10 years. As an independent

consultancy, GBD provide professional advice to a wide range of commercial and government clients

involved in large infrastructure project development.

GBD owner, and principal landscape architect Andrew Homewood, is a registered landscape architect

and member of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and the Environmental Institute of

Australia and New Zealand. Andrew has over 22 years continuous employment in landscape consultancy

and has completed numerous landscape and visual impact assessments for a variety of large scale and

state significant infrastructure, including mines, transmission lines/substations, wind farms and solar

power developments.



Contents Executive summary 7

Section 1 Introduction and report structure

1.1 Introduction 9

1.2 Report structure 9

Section 2 Methodology

2.1 Methodology 11

2.2 VIA objectives 11

2.3 Tasks 11

2.4 Desktop study 11

2.5 Fieldwork and photography 11

2.6 Assessment of visual impact 12

2.7 Mitigation measures 12

Section 3 Project location and description

3.1 Project location 13

3.2 Site description 13

3.3 Project description 13

3.4 Infrastructure layout 14

3.5 Transmission 14

3.6 Proposed tree removal 14

Section 4 Legislative and planning frameworks

4.1 Legislative and planning frameworks 15

Section 5 Panoramic photographs

5.1 Panoramic photographs 16

Section 6 Landscape character assessment and VAC

6.1 Landscape character area 17

6.2 Landscape character assessment 17

6.3 Visual Absorption Capability 21

Section 7 Viewshed

7.1 Viewshed 23

Section 8 Significance of visual impact

8.1 Introduction 24

8.2 Sensitivity of visual receivers 24

8.3 Magnitude of visual effects 25

8.4 Residential visual significance matrix 27

8.5 Visual impact summary 34



Contents Page

8.6 Views from local roads 34

8.7 Views from agricultural areas 34

8.8 Draft landscape plans 35

Section 9 Cumulative assessment

9.1 Cumulative Impact Assessment 36

Section 10 Visualisations

10.1 Visualisations 37

Section 11 Sunglint, glare and lighting

11.1 Introduction 38

11.2 Sunglint 38

11.3 Glare 38

11.4 Assessment 38

11.5 Lighting 39

Section 12 Pre-construction and construction

12.1 Potential visual impacts 40

Section 13 Mitigation measures

13.1 Mitigation measures 41

13.2 Detail design 41

13.3 Construction 41

13.4 Operation 41

Section 14 Conclusion

14.1 Summary 42



Figures

Figure 1 Location Plan

Figure 2 Royalla Solar Farm - comparative

Figure 3 Photo locations

Figure 4 Photo sheet 1




Figure 8 Viewshed

Figure 9 Distance and visual effect

Figure 10 Receiver locations

Figure 11 Visualisation 1

Figure 12 Visualisation 1 Detail

Figure 13 Visualisation 2

Figure 14 Visualisation 2 Detail



Glossary

This Visual Impact Assessment has adopted and adapted the following definitions from the Guidelines for

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (2013).

Term Definition

Cumulative effects The summation of effects that result from changes caused by a

development in conjunction with other past, present or reasonably

foreseeable actions.

Magnitude A combination of the scale, extent and duration of an effect.

Mitigation Measures, including any processes, activity or design to avoid, reduce,

remedy or compensate for adverse landscape and visual effects of a

development project.

Photomontage

(Visualisation)

Computer simulation or other technique to illustrate the appearance of

a development.

Sensitivity Susceptibility of a receiver to a specific type of change.

Visibility A relative determination at which the proposal can be clearly discerned

and described.

Visual amenity The value of a particular area or view in terms of what is seen.

Visual Absorption

Capability

The degree to which a particular landscape character type or area is

able to accommodate change without unacceptable adverse effects on

its character.

Visual Impact Assessment A process of applied professional and methodical techniques to assess

and determine the extent and nature of change to the composition of

existing views that may result from a development.

View location A place or situation from which a proposed development may be visible.

Visual receiver Individual and/or defined groups of people who have the potential to

be affected by a proposal.

Visual significance A measure of the importance or gravity of the visual effect culminating

from the degree of magnitude and receiver sensitivity.



Executive summary

Green Bean Design Pty Ltd (GBD) was commissioned by NGH Environmental Pty Ltd on behalf of White Rock

Solar Farm Pty Ltd (the Proponent) to undertake a Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) for the proposed White

Rock Solar Farm and associated development infrastructure. The White Rock Solar Farm would include a range

of infrastructure covering an area of approximately 150 hectares but with the bulk of the infrastructure within

an area of approximately 50ha.

This VIA has determined that the landscape surrounding the solar farm site, as well as landscape in the

broader viewshed, has a low visual sensitivity to change and a relatively high visual absorption capability.

The landscape has been significantly modified from pre European settlement and incorporates rural residential

and agricultural features common to the regional landscape. The local landscape also incorporates the

approved (but yet to be constructed) White Rock Wind Farm. It is likely that a number of wind turbines will

form distinct and visible feature within and beyond the solar farm site viewshed. This VIA has determined that

the existing landscape characteristics are generally robust. The degree to which the landscape may

accommodate the solar farm will not significantly alter existing landscape character.

This VIA has determined that the visual impact of the solar farm is likely to be very low (and predominantly

negligible) for residential dwellings and publicly accessible locations (roads) and that the White Rock Solar

Farm:

• will have a no visual impact on the principal rural townships within the surrounding landscape;

• will result in no significant impact on views from local roads and highways;

• will result in no significant cumulative visual impacts, and

• will result in no significant visual impact from scenic areas, lookouts or public reserves.

This VIA identified a total of 12 residential dwellings located within an approximate 4 kilometre viewshed

surrounding the White Rock Solar Farm site. This VIA determined that:

• 11 of the residential dwellings would experience a negligible visual impact; and

• 1 of the residential dwellings would experience a low visual impact.

This VIA also determined that the White Rock Solar Farm would only have a low (and mostly negligible) visual

impact for motorists with views being largely indirect and for a very short duration. Views from surrounding

local roads would also be screened and/or partially filtered by tree planting alongside road corridors.

The cumulative impact assessment determined that the overall low level of visibility will limit potential for

cumulative visual impacts and specifically those that could result from views toward the approved wind farm

development. Proposed electrical infrastructure works within the wind farm substation are unlikely to be of

such magnitude to result in any noticeable change to the existing visual environment associated with the wind

farm development.



The majority of proposed electrical connection works within the White Rock Solar Farm site would be located

underground or involve connections within 3 metres of ground level.

This VIA determined that the opportunities for sunglint and glare would be limited due to the properties and

characteristics of the solar panels, which are designed to absorb light rather than reflect it, as well as the lack

of direct visibility and line of sight from surrounding sensitive receiver locations including residential dwellings.

The potential for sunglint impacting motorists travelling along local roads would be largely mitigated by

existing tree alongside road corridors, and where visible, sunglint would tend to be indirect relative to the

direction of travel and very short term in duration.

Whilst this VIA has determined an overall very low level visual impact, mitigation measures may be considered

appropriate to minimise any residual or localised visual impacts. Additional mitigation measures would largely

address the selection of appropriate materials, finishes and colours for proposed infrastructure and some

limited landscape treatments to address any specific and/or localised views from private property.



Introduction and report structure Section 1

1.1 Introduction

GBD has prepared this VIA on behalf of the Proponent to inform the assessment of the White Rock Solar Farm

project site for suitability for a solar farm development with regard to potential visual impacts during the

construction and operational stages of the solar farm. The structure and content of this VIA addresses the

Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEAR’s) issued by the NSW Department of Planning and

Environment dated 3 February 2016.

1.2 Report structure

This VIA report been structured into 14 parts as follows:

Table 2 – Report structure

Report section Description

1 – Introduction and report structure This section provides an introductory section that

describes the intent and purpose of the VIA and

description of the report structure

2 – Methodology This section sets out the methodology employed in the

VIA preparation

3 – Project location and description This section describes the locality and key visible

components of the solar farm

4 – Viewshed This section identifies the area of land surrounding the

solar farm which may be potentially affected by the

proposed solar farm project

5 – Legislative and planning frameworks

This section sets out the legislative and planning issues

relevant to the solar farm visual assessment.

6 – Panorama photographs This section illustrates the VIA with panorama

photographs taken during the site inspection. The

panorama photographs are provided to illustrate the

general appearance of typical landscape characteristics

that occur within and surrounding the solar farm site.

7 – Landscape Character Assessment and This section describes the physical characteristics of

the landscape surrounding the solar farm site and



Table 2 – Report structure

Report section Description

Visual Absorption Capability (VAC) determines the overall sensitivity of the landscape to

the development.

8 – Significance of visual impact This section describes and determines the potential

visual effect of the solar farm on key receiver locations

within the solar farm viewshed.

9 – Cumulative assessment This section describes the potential impact of alternate

existing and/or known infrastructure developments

within proximity to the solar farm site.

10 – Visualisations This section presents preliminary visualisations to

illustrate potential views toward the proposed solar

farm from surrounding public view locations

11 – Sunglint, glare and lighting This section describes the potential effects of sunglint,

glare and lighting on surrounding receiver locations.

12 – Pre-construction and construction This section identifies potential visual impacts which

may occur during pre-construction and construction

stages of the project.

13 – Mitigation measures This section considers the application of mitigation

measures to minimise potential visual impact

14– Conclusion Conclusions are drawn on the overall impact of the

proposed solar farm within the surrounding viewshed.



Methodology Section 2 2.1 Methodology

The methodology employed for this VIA has been based on existing guidelines identified in Section 4 of this

VIA. The methodology is also based on the assessment of multiple renewable energy projects undertaken by

GBD within New South Wales. The key objectives and tasks incorporated into the VIA methodology are

identified below.

2.2 VIA objectives

The primary objective of this VIA is to determine the potential visual significance of the proposed solar farm on

people living and working in, or travelling through the landscape within and surrounding the proposed solar

farm site. This VIA has also been undertaken to:

• assess the existing visual character within the project site as well as the surrounding landscape;

• determine the extent and nature of the potential visual significance of the proposed solar farm on

surrounding areas; and

• identify measures to mitigate and minimise any potential visual impacts.

2.3 Tasks

This VIA included the following tasks and activities:

• desktop study addressing visual character and identification of view locations within the surrounding

area;

• fieldwork and photography;

• assessment and determination of visual significance; and

• determination of potential mitigation measures.

2.4 Desktop study

A desktop study was carried out to identify an indicative viewshed for the proposed solar farm. This was

carried out by reference to 1:25,000 scale topographic maps and aerial photographs of the project site and

surrounding landscape.

Topographic maps and aerial photographs were also used to identify the locations and categories of potential

receiver locations that could be verified during the fieldwork component of the assessment. The desktop study

also outlined the visual character of the surrounding landscape including features such as landform, elevation,

landcover and the distribution of residential dwellings.

2.5 Fieldwork and photography

The fieldwork involved:

• a site inspection to determine and confirm the potential extent of visibility of the proposed solar farm

and ancillary structures; and



• determination and confirmation of the various view location categories and locations from which the

proposed solar farm structures could potentially be visible.

2.6 Assessment of visual significance

The visual significance of the proposed solar farm on surrounding residential view locations will result primarily

from a combination of the potential visibility of the solar farm infrastructure and the characteristics of the

landscape between, and surrounding, the view locations and the solar farm site. The potential degree of

visibility and resultant visual significance will be partly determined by a combination of factors including:

• distance between receiver location and various proposed elements within the proposed solar farm;

• duration of view from receiver locations toward various constructed elements within the proposed solar

farm;

• predicted magnitude of the solar on existing visual amenity; and

• visual sensitivity of receiver locations from which views toward the proposed solar farm exist.

The determination of a visual significance is also subject to a number of other factors which are considered in

more detail in this VIA.

2.7 Mitigation measures

Mitigation measures have been determined to assist in the reduction and, where possible, remediation of any

significant adverse effects on surrounding receiver locations that may arise from the proposed solar farm.



Project location and description Section 3 3.1 Project location

The White Rock Solar Project would be located in the New England Tablelands approximately 20 km south-

west of Glen Innes, about 500km north of Sydney and 400 km south-west of Brisbane. The proposal would be

located on land that is within or adjacent to the White Rock Wind Farm boundary and together with the wind

farm would form a renewable energy precinct known as the White Rock Renewable Energy Precinct.

3.2 Site description

The project development area comprises approximately 150 hectares of a single property, and is located on

land within and adjoining the White Rock Wind Farm boundary. The project area is located at an elevation

ranging between 970 metres and 1000 metres above sea level (ASL) and comprises a ridge line in the western

portion of the development area which slopes into a relatively flat area within the valley floor.

The area is close to the approved White Rock Wind Farm Operations and Maintenance Facility, the 33kV

collections circuit, White Rock Wind Farm wind turbines 1 and 2 and an access track from Gwydir Highway.

The project site is less than 1 kilometre from the Gwydir Highway and is intermittently visible from part of the

Highway due to existing vegetation and landform screening.

The land is zoned RU1 under the Glen Innes Severn Local Environmental Plan, 2012. The development area

can be accessed from the Gwydir Highway using the approved White Rock Wind Farm access tracks.

3.3 Project description

The key infrastructure components of the project would include:

• solar panels (approximately 90,000 solar PV panels at around 3 to 4 metres high);

• 8 to 12 Power Conversion Blocks (PCB) (Inverters 1 – 2.5MW capacity, step-up transformers and

switchgear);

• collection circuits, 33kV underground cables for connection to the existing substation (approximately

3km);

• safety fencing, fencing of the entire facility with 2.4m high chain mesh fence;

• access track (up to 5m wide) to and from site and within solar arrays and to PCBs; and

• temporary construction compound, offices and laydown area;

The project would also have infrastructure that would be within the WRWF impact area, as follows

• Utilise the WRWF access track and 33kV cable route from Turbine 1 to WRWF substation;

• Additional 33kV switchgear infrastructure at the approved WRWF substation;

• Utilise the WRWF 33/132kV transformer; and

• Utilise WRWF Operations and Maintenance Building.

GLEN INNES

WHITE ROCKSOLAR FARM

INVERELL

ARMIDALE

Sydney

NSW

VIC

SA

QLD

Canberra

Glen Innes

WHITE ROCK SOLAR FARM -LOCATION PLAN, STATE CONTEXT (Not to scale)

Sou

rce:

Cop

yrig

ht D

epar

tmen

t of L

ands

Pan

oram

a A

venu

e B

athu

rst 2

795

(ww

w.la

nds.

nsw

.gov

.au)

WHITE ROCK SOLAR FARM -LOCATION PLAN, REGIONAL CONTEXT (Not to scale) Figure 1

Location Plan

WHITE ROCK SOLAR FARM

White Rock SolarFarm Pty Ltd



3.4 Infrastructure layout

The proposed solar farm layout comprises groups of solar panels on relatively level to gently sloping ground.

These are all located on the White Rock Solar Project site. Power conversion Blocks comprising inverters, step-

up transformers and switchgear would be located centrally to groups of panels. The components at the Solar

Farm site will have a low height up to 3m height. The 33kV switchgear at the WRWF Substation would be

internal to an existing building at the substation located to the south of White Rock Mountain and would not

contribute any additional visual impact. Materials laydown areas would be required during construction and

would be located within the solar farm site. These would be removed when construction is complete, a small

storage shed would be retained at the Solar Farm Site.

3.5 Transmission

The solar farm project would be connected to the electricity grid via the approved White Rock wind farm

substation and TransGrid White Rock Wind Farm switchyard. Additional 33kV cabling to connect the solar

arrays to the WRWF substation will be underground and follow the WRWF 33kV cable routes.

3.6 Proposed tree removal

The solar farm project would require the removal of a small number of individual paddock trees within the site

boundary. The removal of a small number of individual trees within the site boundary would not result in any

significant change to the existing site amenity where viewed from surrounding public and private receiver

locations.

Figure 2 illustrates views toward a range of typical infrastructure included in an operational solar farm

development. The operational Royalla Solar Farm, illustrated in Figure 2, includes solar panels similar to the

type and size for the proposed White Rock Solar Farm.

Figure 2 - Royalla Solar Farm

White Rock Solar Farm

Image 1 - View looking toward the operational Royalla Solar Farm (approximate view distance 300 metres)

Image 2 - Detail view looking toward the operational Royalla Solar Farm PV panels Image 3 - PV panel detail view

Refer image 2 detail below

WHITE ROCK SOLARFARM PTY LTD



Legislative and planning frameworks Section 4 4.1 Legislative framework

There are no Federal, New South Wales State Government or Local Government Authority planning policies,

guidelines or standards that apply to the VIA prepared for this Project. Notwithstanding the lack of policies,

guidelines or standards, this VIA has been prepared with regard to pertinent industry standards including

those such as:

• Visual Landscape Planning in Western Australia (Western Australian Planning Commission, November

2007);

• The Environmental Impact Assessment Practice Note – Guideline for Landscape Character and Visual

Impact Assessment EIA–N04 (practice note EIA-N04); and

• Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 3rd Ed. (Landscape Institute and Institute of

Environmental Management and Assessment, 2013).

This VIA addresses and responds to the SEARs dated 3 February 2016 for the assessment of potential visual

impacts of the Project. The SEAR’s are identified in Table 3 together with the relevant sections of this VIA

which address the SEAR’s.

Table 3 – SEARs

SEAR’s VIA response • Visual – including an assessment of the

likely visual impacts of the development

(including any night lighting) on surrounding

landowners and key vantage points in the

public domain, and a draft landscaping plan

developed in consultation with affected

landowners.

This VIA has undertaken an assessment of the likely visual

impacts associated with the proposed solar farm and

associated ancillary infrastructure and presented the

results in the receiver assessment matrix included in

Table 9.

Permanent night lighting is not proposed for the solar

farm development but may be needed at times for

maintenance works.

This VIA has not identified any landowners with a

potential visual impact greater than low and does not

consider that any surrounding landowners will be

negatively impacted at, or surrounding their dwelling.



Panoramic photographs Section 5 5.1 Panoramic photographs

A series of individual and panorama digital photographs were taken during the course of the fieldwork to

illustrate existing views in the vicinity of a number of view locations inspected and assessed as part of this VIA.

Photographs were taken from the within the proposed solar farm site looking beyond the site, and from areas

beyond the proposed solar site toward it. This provided a range of views which assisted in the determination

of the viewshed and the identification of areas from which the proposed solar farm may be visible.

The panorama photographs also illustrate the extent to which existing tree planting and surrounding landform

screen views toward the proposed solar farm site.

The panorama photographs were digitally stitched together to form a segmented panorama image to provide

a visual illustration of the existing view from each photo location.

The panoramic photographs presented in this VIA have been annotated to identify local features within and

beyond the proposed solar farm site.

The panoramic photograph locations are illustrated in Figure 3, and the panoramic photographs illustrated in

Figures 4 to 7.

H40 I40

K50

K51

M60

L70

L71

L82

L83

L90

L100

CH

K30

E50

D65

J21

J20

J10

H20

E10

SL1

L80

1km

2km

3km

4km

WS1

WS2

WS3

WS4

WS5

WS6

WS7

WS8

WS9

Gwydir H

ighway

Spring Mountain R

oad

Ilparran Road

WS10

WS11

Gwydir Highway

WS12

1km

2km

3km

4km

Figure 3 Photo locations


Legend

Photo location (off-site)

Photo & visualisation location

Dwelling

White Rock Solar Farmsite boundary

Solar Farm panelsindicative layout

Existing overheadtransmission line

0m 1km


Photo location (on-site)

Figure 4 - Photo sheet 1

Photo location WS1 - view west looking toward the proposed Solar Farm site from the Sinclair Lookout (off and above Gwydir Highway)

Existing 132 kVtransmission line


White RockMountain

GwydirHighway

WaterlooRoad

Photo location WS2 - view looking south from Waterloo Road (adjacent to Anglican Church)


White RockMountain

GwydirHighway

WaterlooRoad

Photo location WS3 - view looking west from Gwydir Highway (adjacent to dwelling I40 entry)

GwydirHighway

Proposed Solar Farmbeyond tree planting

Proposed Solar Farm beyond and filtered by treeplanting alongside the Gwydir Highway road corridor

Dwelling H40beyond trees

Indicative visual extentof Solar Farm site



Photo location WS4 - view looking west from the proposed Solar Farm site from the approved wind farm access track (off Gwydir Highway).


Photo location WS5 - view looking east across the proposed Solar Farm site toward the Waterloo Range


IlparranRoad

GwydirHighway

Photo location WS6 - view looking east toward the Waterloo Range from above the proposed Solar Farm site

Dwelling K50 andK51 beyond trees

MountBuckley

Long and medium distant views toward the proposed Solar Farm sitefrom the west will be screened by an undulating lanform and tree planting

SinclairLookout

Dwelling I40beyond trees


GwydirHighway

Dwelling K50 andK51 beyond trees

SinclairLookout

Dwelling I40beyond trees



Photo location WS7 - view looking east from Spring Mountain Road


Photo location WS8 - view looking east from Spring Mountain Road


Photo location WS9 - view looking south from dwelling I40 access road (off Gwydir Highway)

MountBuckley

Long distant views toward the proposed Solar Farm site from thewest will be screened by an undulating landform and tree planting

White RockMountain

SpringMountain

SpringMountain Road

GwydirHighway

Views toward the proposed Solar Farm site from thewest will be screened by an undulating landform and trees

Waterloo RangeDwelling I40 screenedby tree planting

Proposed Solar Farm site screened by tree planting



Photo location WS10 - view looking west from Ilparran Road toward the proposed Solar Farm site


Photo location WS11 - view looking west from Ilparran Road

Photo location WS12 - view looking west from Ilparran Road toward the proposed Solar Farm site

GwydirHighway

Views toward the proposed Solar Farm site from the east willbe screened by a rising landform and trees on the horizon line

DwellingL70

IlparranRoad

IlparranRoad

Long distant views toward the proposed Solar Farm site from thesouth will be screened by an undulating landform and trees

IlparranRoad

Indicative visible extent of the proposedsolar farm investigation area





Landscape character assessment and visual absorption capability Section 6 6.1 Landscape character area

As part of the VIA process it is important to understand the nature and sensitivity of different components of

landscape character, and to assess them in a clear and consistent process. For the purpose of this VIA,

landscape character is defined as ‘the distinct and recognisable pattern of elements that occur consistently in a

particular type of landscape’ (The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage 2002). The pattern of

elements includes characteristics such as landform, vegetation, landuse and settlement.

For the purposed of this VIA, the landscape character surrounding the proposed solar farm site has been

determined as a singular landscape unit which generally occurs within the 2 kilometre viewshed of the

proposed solar farm site. The landscape unit represents an area that is relatively consistent and recognisable in

terms of its key landscape elements and physical attributes; which include a relatively limited combination of

topography/landform, vegetation/landcover, land use and built structures (including settlements and local

road corridors).

For the purpose of this VIA the predominant landscape unit within and surrounding the project site has been

identified as gently sloping and undulating modified agricultural land with scattered tree cover.

6.2 Landscape character assessment

An understanding of a particular landscape’s key characteristics and principal visual features is important in

defining a regional distinctiveness and sense of place and to determine its sensitivity to change. The criteria

applied in the determination of landscape character assessment and the ability of a landscape to

accommodate change is outlined in Table 3.

These criteria are based on established industry good practice employed in the assessment of developments

and have been adopted for numerous VIA assessments across Australia. The criteria are detailed in the

Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition, Landscape Institute and Institute of

Environmental Management & Assessment, 2013 – Chapter 5 Assessment of landscape effects.

Landscape sensitivity is a relative concept, and landscape values of the surrounding environment may be

considered of a higher or lower sensitivity than other areas in the Southern Tablelands region.

Whilst landscape character assessment is largely based on a systematic description and analysis of landscape

characteristics, this VIA acknowledges that some individuals and other members of the local community may

place higher values on the local landscape.

These values may transcend preferences (likes and dislikes) and include personal, cultural as well as other

parameters.



Table 4 – Criteria for the assessment of landscape character

Landscape Character Assessment Criteria

Characteristic Aspects indicating lower sensitivity to the solar farm development

↔ Aspects indicating higher sensitivity to the solar farm development

Landform and scale: patterns, complexity and consistency

• Large scale landform

• Simple

• Featureless

• Absence of strong topographical variety

↔ • Small scale landform

• Distinctive and complex

• Human scale indicators

• Presence of strong topographical variety

Landcover: patterns, complexity and consistency

• Simple

• Predictable

• Smooth, regular and uniform

↔ • Complex

• Unpredictable

• Rugged and irregular

Settlement and human influence

• Concentrated settlement pattern

• Presence of contemporary structures (e.g. utility, infrastructure or industrial elements)

↔ • Dispersed settlement pattern

• Absence of modern development, presence of small scale, historic or vernacular settlement

Movement • Prominent movement, busy ↔ • No evident movement, still

Rarity • Common or widely distributed example of landscape character area within a regional context

↔ • Unique or limited example of landscape character area within a regional context

Intervisibility with adjacent landscapes

• Limited views into or out of landscape

• Neighbouring landscapes of low sensitivity

• Weak connections, self contained area and views

• Simple large scale backdrops

↔ • Prospects into and out from high ground or open landscape

• Neighbouring landscapes of high sensitivity

• Contributes to wider landscape

• Complex or distinctive backdrops

The landscape sensitivity assessment criteria set out in Table 4 have been evaluated for the landscape

character area by applying a professionally determined judgement on a sliding scale between 1 and 5.

A scale of 1 indicates a landscape characteristic with a lower sensitivity to the solar farm development (and will

be more likely to accommodate the solar farm development). A scale of 5 indicates a landscape characteristic

with a high level of sensitivity to the solar farm development (and less likely to accommodate the solar farm

development).

The scale of sensitivity for the landscape character area is outlined in Table 4 and is set out against each

characteristic identified in Table 3.



The overall landscape sensitivity for the landscape character area is a summation of the scale for each

characteristic identified in Tables 4.

The overall scale is expressed as a total out of 30 (i.e. 6 characteristics for the landscape character area with a

potential top scale of 5). Each characteristic is assessed separately and the criteria set out in Table 3 are not

ranked in equal significance. The overall landscape sensitivity for the landscape character area has been

determined as either:

High (Scale of 23 to 30) – key characteristics of the landscape character area will be impacted by the proposed

project, and will result in major and visually dominant alterations to perceived characteristics of the landscape

character area which may not be fully mitigated by existing landscape elements and features. The degree to

which the landscape may accommodate the proposed project development will result in a number of

perceived uncharacteristic and significant changes.

Medium (Scale 15 to 22) – distinguishable characteristics of the landscape character area may be altered by

the proposed project, although the landscape character area may have the capability to absorb some change.

The degree to which the landscape character area may accommodate the proposed project will potentially

result in the introduction of prominent elements to the landscape character area, but may be accommodated

to some degree.

Low Rating (Scale of 7 to 14) – the majority of the landscape character area characteristics are generally

robust, and will be less affected by the proposed project. The degree to which the landscape may

accommodate the solar farm will not significantly alter existing landscape character.

Negligible Rating (Up to 6) the characteristics of the landscape character area will not be impacted or visibly

altered by the proposed project.

Table 5 – Landscape character area assessment

Lower Sensitivity ↔ Higher Sensitivity

Low Low to Med Medium Med to High High

Rating 1 2 3 4 5

Landform and Scale 3

The gently inclined and undulating agricultural land within, and neighbouring,

the project site represents a very small portion of the district landscape,

located in the New England Tablelands. The landform and morphology of the

landscape within and surrounding the project site is a gently sloping landscape

extending east to north east between the White Rock Mountain and Waterloo

Range. The landscape exhibits an overall medium to large scale and is defined

by field patterns and scattered forested areas adjoining and beyond the

project site. Landscape features and recognisable topographical elements are






Rating 1 2 3 4 5

located within and beyond the project site; however, in a regional context

landform and scale are relative to surrounding areas.

Landcover 2

Landcover is both simple and predictable across the site and surrounding

landscape areas. European settlement established an agricultural presence

and defines much of the contemporary livestock and cropping areas across

the project site and beyond. Cropping and pastoral fields create a regular and

uniform appearance throughout the seasons and display characteristics of

repeated seasonal operations associated with agricultural production.

Landcover is also defined by scattered and denser areas of tree cover on

steeper slopes, hill tops and ridgelines.

Settlement and human influence

3

Settlement is generally dispersed beyond the project site and surrounding

landscape and consists largely of farmsteads and individual dwellings. There

are limited examples of small scale, historic or vernacular structures within

the landscape. A 132 kV transmission line, with a regular arrangement of

supporting pylon structures extends in an approximate east to west alignment

across the landscape and to the north of the project site. Fencing is evident

across the landscape and water tanks are also present.

Movement 2

Movement beyond the proposed solar farm project site is generally restricted

to local vehicular movements, including cars and trucks travelling along the

Gwydir Highway and more occasional vehicles travelling along unsealed access

roads including Ilparran Road. Occasional agricultural vehicles are seen within

surrounding fields. The White Rock Wind Farm will introduce movement with

turning rotors.

Rarity

2

The project site and adjoining landscape are considered to be a relatively

common landscape type within a regional context which extends across the






Rating 1 2 3 4 5

New England Tablelands district.

Intervisibility 2

Views from western and slightly elevated portion of the site provide distant

views to the east across rural agricultural land and the rising landform of the

Waterloo Range. Views are reasonably extensive to a visually simple and

broad backdrop. The majority of views from the site, at mid and lower

sections, are relatively confined by undulating landform to the north, south

and west. Visual connectivity to the landscape beyond the proposed solar

farm site is largely influenced by extensive and complex ridgelines along the

Waterloo Range and White Rock Mountain features.

Overall Sensitivity Rating Score 14 out of 30

In consideration of the existing landscape characteristics, the landscape within

and surrounding the project site is determined to have a low sensitivity to the

solar farm development. The majority of the landscape character area

characteristics are generally robust, and will be less affected by the proposed

project. The degree to which the landscape may accommodate the solar farm

will not significantly alter existing landscape character.

6.3 Visual absorption capability

Visual Absorption Capability (VAC) is a classification system used to describe the relative ability of the

landscape to accept modifications and alterations without the loss of character or deterioration of visual

amenity. VAC relates to the physical characteristics of the landscape that are often inherent and quite static in

the long term. In essence the VAC indicates the ability of a landscape setting to absorb development.

The VAC of a landscape is largely determined by inherent physical factors which include:

• the degree of visual penetration (view distance without obstruction) through surrounding landscape,

landform and tree cover; and

• the complexity of the landscape defined through scale, form and line.



Landscapes with a low visual penetration will have higher visual absorption capability values. Complex

landscapes which include a mix of scale, form and line (together with some degree of vegetative screening) will

also have high visual absorption capability values.

The VAC of the landscape surrounding the proposed solar farm generally exhibits a high VAC as a result of

locally undulating landforms and significant areas of tree cover within and surrounding the proposed solar

farm site.



Viewshed Section 7 7.1 Viewshed

For the purpose of this VIA the viewshed is defined as the area of land surrounding and beyond the solar farm

site which may be potentially affected by the solar farm. In essence, the viewshed defines this VIA study area.

The overall viewshed for the proposed solar farm has been determined at a distance of up to 4 kilometres

extending across the landscape away from the solar farm site. Subsets of the viewshed have also been

illustrated at 1 kilometre to 3 kilometre intervals on various figures within this VIA. The distance of the

viewshed can vary between solar farm projects, and may be influenced and informed by a number of criteria

including the area of the solar farm together with the nature, location and height of landform that may limit

visibility.

It is important to note that the solar panels may be visible from some areas of the landscape beyond the 4

kilometre viewshed; however, within the general parameters of normal human vision, a solar panel at a

maximum height of 3 metres would occupy a relatively small proportion of a person’s field of view from

distances in excess of 4 kilometres and result in a relatively low level of perceived visual significance. The

relationship between the proposed White Rock Solar Farm viewshed and existing dwellings is illustrated in

Figure 8.

Gwydir H

ighway

Ilparran Road

H40 I40

K50

K51

M60

L70

L71

CH

K30

E50

J21

J20

H20

E10SL1

1km

2km

3km

4km

1km

2km

3km

4km


Legend

Dwelling


Solar farm PV panelsindicative layout


Slope and/or ridgelinelandform with screeningpotential

Tree and/or forested areaswith screening potential

Indicative area from which theWhite Rock Solar Farm may bevisible (within 4km of proposedsolar farm site)

Wind break and/or treeplanting with screeningpotential


Figure 8 - View shed

0m 1km



Significance of visual impact Section 8

8.1 Introduction

The overall determination of visual impacts resulting from the construction and operation of the White Rock

Solar Farm will result primarily from a combination of receiver sensitivity and the magnitude of visual effects.

A determination of visual impact from the combination of receiver sensitivity and the magnitude of visual

effect is a well established methodology and has been applied extensively on VIA in New South Wales and

across Australia. The standard methodology is set out in industry and best practice guidelines including the

Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition, Landscape Institute and Institute of

Environmental Management & Assessment, 2013 – Chapter 6 Assessment of visual effects.

8.2 Sensitivity of visual receivers

Judging the sensitivity of visual receivers needs to take account of the occupation or activity of people

experiencing the view at particular locations and the extent to which their attention or interest is focussed on

views within and surrounding the solar farm site.

The sensitivity of visual receptors has been determined and described in this VIA by reference to:

• the location and context of the view point;

• the occupation or activity of the receptor; and

• the overall number of people affected.

For the purpose of this VIA the following table sets out various categories of receivers and their relative

sensitivity.

Table 6 – Receiver sensitivity

Criteria Definition

High Sensitivity

(e.g. Residential dwellings, visitors to scenic

areas or National Parks)

People with a proprietary interest and prolonged viewing

opportunities such as those in dwellings or visitors to

attractive and/or well-used recreational facilities. Views

from a regionally important location whose interest is

specifically focussed on the landscape e.g. from lookouts or

areas within National Parks.

Moderate Sensitivity

(e.g. recreational spaces, outdoor pursuits)

People with an interest in their environment e.g. visitors to

State Recreation Areas, bush walkers and horse riders

etc…those travelling with an interest in their surroundings



Table 6 – Receiver sensitivity

Criteria Definition

Low Sensitivity

(e.g. local roads, rural employment)

People with a passing interest in their surroundings e.g.

those travelling along local roads between townships, or

people whose interest is not specifically focussed on the

wider landscape e.g. service providers or commuters.

Very Low

(e.g. highways, business or industrial areas)

People with no specific interest in their surroundings or

those with occasional and transient views travelling at

speed along highways or from a place of work where

attention may not be focussed on surrounding views.

8.3 Magnitude of visual effects

Judging the magnitude of the visual effects needs to take account of:

• the scale of the change in the view with respect to the loss or addition of features in the view and

changes in its composition, including the proportion of the view occupied by the proposed solar farm;

• the degree of contrast or integration of any new features or changes in the landscape with the existing or

remaining landscape elements and characteristics in terms of form, scale and mass, line height, colour

and texture; and

• the nature of the view of the proposed solar farm, in terms of the relative amount of time over which it

will be experienced and whether views will be full, partial or glimpses.

The proportion of view occupied by the solar panels is illustrated in Figure 9. For the purpose of this VIA the

following table sets out various categories of receivers and their relative sensitivity.

Table 7 - View Location Assessment Criteria

Criteria Definition

View Distance:

Long

Medium

Short

Very short

> 2,000 metres

1,000 metres – 2,000 metres

500 metres – 1,000 metres

<500 metres

View Duration:

High

Moderate

Low

Very low

> 2 hours

30 minutes to 2 hours

10 – 30 minutes

<30 minutes

0m 10m 20m 30m 40m 50m

0m 50m 60m 70m 80m 90m 100m

0m 100m 150m 200m

Typical PV panel at3 metre height

Ground level

The PV panels viewed from a 50 metre distance would occupy less than 4% of the vertical human view cone



Figure 9 Distance and visual effect

White Rock Solar FarmWHITE ROCK SOLARFARM PTY LTD

10m 20m 30m 40m

50m



Table 7 - View Location Assessment Criteria

Criteria Definition

Magnitude:

High (H) Total loss or major change to pre-development view or

introduction of elements which are uncharacteristic to the

existing urban landscape features.

Medium (M) Partial loss or alteration to pre-development view or

introduction of elements that may be prominent but not

necessarily uncharacteristic with the existing urban

landscape features.

Low (L) Minor loss or alteration to pre-development view or

introduction of elements that may not be necessarily

uncharacteristic with the existing urban landscape features.

Negligible (N) Very minor loss or alteration to pre-development view or

introduction of elements which are not uncharacteristic

with the existing urban landscape features (resulting in a no

change situation).

The combination of sensitivity and magnitude will provide the rating of visual impact for receiver locations.

Table 8 sets out the relative visual impact grading values which combines issues of sensitivity and magnitude

for the White Rock Solar Farm project.

Table 8 Visual impact grading matrix

Scale or magnitude of visual effects

High Moderate Low Very low

Sens

itiv

ity

High High impact High-moderate Moderate Moderate-low

Moderate High-moderate Moderate Moderate-low Low

Low Moderate Moderate-low Low Very low

Very low Moderate-low Low Very low Negligible



8.4 Residential visual impact matrix

Table 9 sets out the assessment process and determination of visual impact from residential dwellings up to

and just beyond 4 km from the proposed solar farm site. The locations of residential dwellings included in this

VIA are illustrated in Figure 10.

Whilst the assessment includes a determination of impacts from dwellings, it also takes into account any

curtilage surrounding each dwelling which may be considered an extension to the dwelling for domestic or

social activities. The criteria set out in Tables 6 and 7 are noted against each dwelling, with a visual impact

determined against the grading matrix in Table 8. The assessment and determination of visual impacts are also

informed by the site inspection works, photographic records and figures prepared for this VIA.

H40 I40

K50

K51

M60

L70

L71

CH

K30

E50

J21

J20

H20

SL1

1km

2km

3km

4km

Gwydir H

ighway

Spring Mountain R

oad

Ilparran Road

Gwydir Highway

1km

2km

3km

4km

Figure 10 Receiver locations


Legend

Dwelling


Solar Farm panelsindicative layout


0m 1km



28 White Rock Solar Farm Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment v3 Final Issue, February 2016

Table 9 – Residential visual significance matrix (Refer Figure 10 for residential receiver locations)

SENSITIVITY MAGNITUDE

Receiver location

Category of receiver location and sensitivity grading

Approximate distance to solar farm site boundary (metres)

Potential duration of effect

Extent of visibility

Overall magnitude grading

Description Visual impact

I40 Non associated

residential dwelling

Sensitivity: High

871 High

(Low from

driveway)

Nil from dwelling Low Views looking south west toward the proposed

solar farm from the dwelling and immediate

dwelling curtilage will be screened by existing

tree cover and gently rising landform. Indirect

views will extend toward the proposed solar farm

site from a section of driveway between the

dwelling and property entry at the Gwydir

Highway.

Low

H40 Non associated


Sensitivity: High

777 High Nil from dwelling Very low Views looking south toward the proposed solar

farm from the dwelling and immediate dwelling

curtilage will be screened by tree planting

between the dwelling and the Gwydir Highway as

well as tree planting to the south of the highway

corridor.

Negligible

K51 White Rock Wind

Farm associated

1,930 High Nil from dwelling Very low Views looking west toward the proposed solar


Negligible





Receiver location








Sensitivity: High


between the dwelling and Ilparran Road.

K50 White Rock Wind

Farm associated


Sensitivity: High

2,100 High Nil from dwelling Very low Views looking west toward the proposed solar



between the dwelling and Ilparran Road.

Negligible

K30 Non associated


Sensitivity: High

2,168 High Nil from dwelling Very low Views looking south west toward the proposed


dwelling curtilage will be screened by tree

planting between the dwelling and Ilparran Road

as well as scattered tree cover to the west of

Ilparran Road.

Negligible

L70 White Rock Wind

Farm associated


3,233 High Nil from dwelling Very low Views looking north west toward the proposed



planting and scattered tree cover as well as

Negligible





Receiver location







Sensitivity: High landform gently rising to the north west of the

dwelling location.

H20 Non associated


Sensitivity: High

2,642 High Nil from dwelling Very low Views looking south toward the proposed solar


curtilage will be screened by a low ridgeline and

undulating landform to the south of the dwelling.

Negligible

E50 Non associated


Sensitivity: High

3,890 High Nil from dwelling Very low Views looking east toward the proposed solar


curtilage will be screened by ridgeline landforms

and tree cover beyond the dwelling.

Negligible

J21 Non associated


Sensitivity: High

3,603 High Nil from dwelling Very low Views looking south to south west toward the

proposed solar farm from the dwelling and

immediate dwelling curtilage will be screened by

an undulating landform and tree cover beyond

the dwelling.

Negligible





Receiver location







L71 White Rock Wind

Farm associated


Sensitivity: High

3,677 High Nil from dwelling Very low Views looking north west toward the proposed



planting and scattered tree cover as well as

landform gently rising to the north west of the

dwelling location.

Negligible

M60 Associated


Sensitivity: High

4,319 High Nil from dwelling Very low Views looking west to north west toward the


immediate curtilage will be screened by tree

planting surrounding and beyond the dwelling.

Negligible

J20 Non associated


Sensitivity: High

3,874 High Nil from dwelling Very low Views looking south to south west toward the


immediate dwelling curtilage will be screened by

an undulating landform and tree cover beyond

the dwelling.

Negligible





Receiver location







Gwydir

Highway

Motorist

Sensitivity: Low

655 Low Very low Very low Indirect views looking south toward the proposed

solar farm will be partially screened and filtered

by tree planting alongside, and to the south of

the highway corridor.

Negligible

Ilparran

Road

Motorist

Sensitivity: Low

1,605 Low Very low Very low Indirect views looking west toward the proposed

solar farm site are largely screened by tree cover

within agricultural land to the west of the road

corridor. Partial and glimpsed views toward the

proposed site will occur from relatively short

sections of the road corridor.

Negligible

Matheson

Church

Visitor

Sensitivity: High

3,455 Low Nil Very low Views south west toward the proposed solar farm

site will be screened by tree cover alongside and

beyond the Gwydir Highway corridor.

Negligible

Sinclair

Lookout

Visitor

Sensitivity: High

5,868 Low Low Very low Elevated views looking south west from the

lookout will extend toward and beyond the

Low





Receiver location







proposed solar farm. Following construction the

White Rock Wind Farm will form a more visually

prominent feature within the proposed solar

farm viewshed.



8.5 Visual impact summary

This VIA identified a total of 12 residential dwellings located within an approximate 4 kilometre viewshed

surrounding the White Rock Solar Farm site. This VIA determined that:

• 11 of the residential dwellings would experience a negligible visual impact; and

• 1 of the residential dwellings would experience a low visual impact.

The determination of negligible visual impact for the majority of residential dwellings surrounding the solar

farm site reflect the high degree of localised screening provided by the low undulating landform extending

across this section of the Great Dividing Range, as well as the occurrence of tree screening alongside local

road corridors and within surrounding agricultural land.

8.6 Views from local roads and highway

There are a small number of local roads which connect localities and residential dwellings within the

surrounding landscape surrounding the proposed solar farm site. Views from local roads were photographed

and assessed during the site inspection. The roads from which views may extend toward the proposed solar

farm site include:

• Gwydir Highway;

• Ilparran Road;

• Waterloo Road; and

• Spring Mountain Road.

Available views toward the proposed solar farm site from surrounding local roads (Gwydir Highway and

Ilparran Road) will be tend to be indirect and of a very short duration from moving vehicles. Waterloo Road

and Spring Mountain Road are more distant and may not offer any views of the Solar Farm. The majority of

road corridors also support a significant amount of tree planting, including tree planting along proximate road

locations such as the Gwydir Highway and Ilparran Road which will generally block and/or filter views toward

the proposed solar farm site.

8.7 Views from public places and agricultural land

The proposed solar farm would be visible from the Sinclair Lookout at a distance of over 6km; however, the

proposed structures associated with the solar farm would not form prominent features within the available

view. The visual magnitude of the proposed solar farm would also be diminished and contained within the

context and scale of view available from the lookout.

This VIA acknowledges that the proposed solar farm project may have the potential to impact people engaged

in predominantly farming activities, where views toward the solar project occur from surrounding and non-

associated agricultural areas. Ultimately the level of impact would depend on the type of activities engaged in

as well as the location of the activities together with the degree of screening provided by local vegetation



within individual properties. Whilst views toward the solar farm could occur from surrounding rural

agricultural land, this VIA has determined that the sensitivity of visual impacts is less for those employed or

carrying out work in rural areas compared to potential views from residential dwellings; however the

sensitivity of individual view locations will also depend on the perception of the viewer.

8.8 Draft landscape plans

The SEAR’s set out a requirement to prepare a draft landscaping plan developed in consultation with affected

landowners.

This VIA has determined that the vast majority of landowners surrounding the proposed solar farm will not be

visually affected by the project as it will be screened by combinations of landform and/or tree cover extending

beyond the site. Residential dwellings will also be less affected by the proposed solar farm as the distance

between the project site and dwelling begins to exceed a 2 kilometer distance.

The Proponent has consulted with the neighbouring property owner (at dwelling I40). Results of this

consultation have confirmed that the neighbouring landowner is not concerned about the solar farm project

given it will be a low level structure.

Based on the assessment outcomes and given the lack of affected landowners, this VIA does not include draft

landscape plans for any properties surrounding the proposed site.



Cumulative impact assessment Section 9 9.1 Cumulative impact assessment

A cumulative visual impact could result from elements of the proposed solar farm being constructed in

conjunction with other existing or proposed developments which could be either associated or separate to it.

Separate developments could also occur or be located within a local context where visibility is dependent on a

journey between each site or within the solar farm viewshed.

The proposed solar farm would be located within the viewshed of the approved White Rock Wind Farm

immediately to the south, the Glen Innes Wind Farm to the east on Waterloo Range and the approved

Sapphire Wind Farm to the north of the Gwydir Highway. Constructed elements associated with the proposed

solar farm would be dissimilar in scale, line and form to infrastructure associated with the approved wind farm

developments.

The potential for an associated cumulative impact between the proposed solar farm and wind farm

infrastructure (and specifically the wind turbines) will be minimised by the visual relationship between the

proposed and existing works, with the proposed solar farm unlikely to result in a visual extension of approved

wind farm infrastructure. Where visible the proposed solar farm would be viewed and generally perceived as a

standalone visual element.

The proposed solar farm is considered to have limited potential to increase the significance of cumulative

visual impact with regard to existing large scale visual elements located beyond the proposed solar farm site.

This is also largely due to visual screening surrounding the proposed solar farm site for the majority of receiver

locations and the location of proposed constructed elements relative to existing infrastructure.



Visualisations Section 10 10.1 Visualisations

The visualisation locations were selected by GBD to illustrate a range of viewpoints toward the proposed solar

farm. The two photomontages locations are illustrated in Figure 3 and the photomontages are presented in

Figures 11 to 12.

The visualisation locations were selected from an accessible section of a local road corridor and a public

lookout. They represent typical viewpoint locations and illustrate the potential influence of both distance and

existing tree cover on visibility. The locations include:

• Visualisation 1 from photo location WS1 looking southwest from the Sinclair Lookout. The visualisation

illustrates proposed and potential indirect views toward the proposed solar farm from the lookout; and

• Visualisation 2 from photo location WS12 looking west from the Ilparran road corridor. The visualisation

illustrates proposed and potential indirect views toward the proposed solar farm from the Ilparran road

corridor.

The visualisations demonstrate that the overall visual bulk and scale of proposed solar farm will not be visually

significantly in the landscape following completion of the construction works.

SL1

1km

2km

3km

4km

WS1

Gwydir

High

way

Ilparran Road

Indicative solarpanel layout

White Rock Solar Farmindicative visible extent

Visualisation 1 from photo location WS1 - view looking west toward the proposed White Rock Solar Farm . Approximate distance to project site boundary 5,680 metres.

Visualisation location

Figure 11 - Visualisation 1



White RockMountain

GwydirHighway

WaterlooRoad

MountBuckley

Photo location WS1 - view looking west toward the proposed White Rock Solar Farm site from the Sinclair Lookout (off and above Gwydir Highway)

DwellingH40

DwellingI40

Refer detail view Figure 12

Visualisation 1 detail view from photo location WS1 - view looking west toward the proposed White Rock Solar Farm . Approximate distance to project site boundary 5,680 metres.

Figure 12 - Visualisation 1 Detail


E50

D65

1km

2km

3km

4km

WS12

Gwydir

High

way

Ilparran Road

1km

Indicative solarpanel layout

White Rock Solar Farm indicative visible extent

Visualisation 2 from photo location WS12 - view looking south to west from Ilparran Road toward the proposed White Rock Solar Farm . Approximate distance to project site boundary 1,300 metres.

Visualisation location


White Rock Solar FarmWHITE ROCK WINDFARM PTY LTD

Photo location WS12 - view looking south to west from Ilparran Road toward the proposed White Rock Solar Farm site

IlparranRoad

IlparranRoad

Approved White Rock Wind Farmnorthern wind turbine indicative location

Refer detail view Figure 14



Visualisation 2 from photo location WS12 - view looking south to west from Ilparran Road toward the proposed White Rock Solar Farm . Approximate distance to project site boundary 1,300 metres.



Sunglint, glare and lighting Section 11 11.1 Introduction

This VIA has considered a number of issues concerned with the potential for reflectivity of sunlight from the PV

panels. Sunlight reflection is often perceived as a significant issue in relation to solar facilities; however, a

primary function for the PV panels is to absorb sunlight energy rather than reflect it. The technical process in

manufacturing PV panels includes an anti reflection coating to the solar cell wafers within each panel that

minimises potential for sunlight reflection. The proposed PV panels utilise high transmission, low iron glass,

which absorbs greater amounts of light and produces less reflectance than standard glass.

Primarily sunlight reflection would be visible as either ‘sunglint’ or ‘glare’.

11.2 Sunglint

Sunglint is a phenomenon that results from the direct reflection of sunlight (also known as specular reflection)

from a reflective surface that would be visible when the sun reflects off the surface of the PV panels at the

same angle that a person is viewing the PV panel surface.

11.3 Glare

Sunlight reflection from the polycrystalline structure of the individual PV panels may also result in glare (also

known as diffuse reflection). Glare from a reflective surface occurs where sunlight is reflected at many angles

rather than a single angle observed as sunglint.

There are a number of factors that determine both intensity and extent of sunglint and glare and include:

• the distance and orientation of the PV panels relative to surrounding view locations;

• the offset horizontal angle of the PV panels;

• time of day and seasonal variations defining position and angle of sunlight;

• the occurrence of cloud cover;

• the amount of particulate matter in the atmosphere (moisture, dust, smoke etc…) which may diffuse sunlight; and

• the presence of screening vegetation relative to view locations.

11.4 Assessment

The measure of how strongly various materials can reflect light from sources such as the sun (the ‘albedo’) has

been measured (Power Engineers 2010 and Sunpower Corporation 200) and determined as a reflected energy

percentage. These studies have shown that common materials utilised within rural/agricultural environments,

including steel, standard glass and plexiglass can have higher reflected energy percentages than materials

employed for PV glass panels.

Based on the results of previous assessments for PV solar power projects and studies carried out in a number

of countries, the potential for sunglint and glare would not be expected to have a significant impact on

residential dwellings surrounding the proposed White Rock Solar Farm, or upon motorists or people travelling

through or over the surrounding landscape.



This VIA has noted the relatively significant amount of vegetation in the landscape surrounding the proposed

project site, as well as the screening influence of local topography. Given the vast majority of residential

dwellings will not have a line of sight toward the proposed solar panels, the potential for sunglint to create a

significant visual impact is considered to be low.

11.5 Lighting

The proposed solar farm will not incorporate permanent night time lighting into the project site, therefore

permanent night time lighting will not give rise to potential visual impacts. However, it can be necessary to

undertake maintenance on solar panels or Power Conversion Blocks at night time when the Solar Farm is not

generating. In such cases, localised temporary lighting may be needed to ensure safe conduct of the

maintenance work. Such lighting should be managed to ensure that in is focused inward to the work area and

does not impact surrounding area. Given the locations of neighbouring residences there is low potential for

impact on the residences.



Pre-construction and construction Section 12 12.1 Potential visual impacts

There are potential visual impacts that may occur during both pre-construction and construction phases of the

proposed solar farm. The key pre-construction and construction activities that may be visible from areas

surrounding the Project include:

• ongoing detailed site assessment including technical investigations;

• various minor civil works at access points;

• construction facilities, including portable structures and laydown areas;

• various construction and directional signage;

• excavations and earthworks; and

• various construction activities including erection of solar panels with associated electrical infrastructure works.

The majority of pre-construction and construction activities, some of which would result in physical changes to

the landscape are generally temporary in nature and for the most restricted to various discrete areas within or

beyond the immediate proposed site.

While extensive earthworks are not proposed, some minor land forming (including localised cut and fill areas)

may be undertaken to achieve more consistent gradients beneath the array where necessary. However, the

areas of disturbance would be rehabilitated and the surrounding groundcover would be retained. Areas of

earthworks would be subject to dust control measures that would aim to minimise any airborne dust that

could affect local visibility.

The majority of pre-construction and construction activities would be unlikely to result in an unacceptable

level of visual impact for their duration and temporary nature.



Mitigation measures Section 13 13.1 Mitigation measures

While the overall visual impact of the proposed solar farm has been determined as very low for surrounding

receiver locations, mitigation measures should be considered to minimise the level of residual visual impacts

during construction and operation.

The mitigation measures generally involve reducing the extent of visual contrast between the visible portions of

the proposed structures and the surrounding landscape, and/or screening direct views toward the proposed

solar farm where possible.

13.2 Detail design

Mitigation measures during the detail design process should consider:

• further refinement in the design and layout which may assist in the mitigation of bulk and height of

proposed structures;

• consideration in selection and location for replacement tree planting which may provide partial screening or

backdrop setting for constructed elements; and

• a review of materials and colour finishes for selected components including the use of non reflective

finishes to structures where possible.

13.3 Construction

Mitigation measures during the construction period should consider:

• minimise tree removal where possible;

• avoidance of temporary light spill beyond the construction site where temporary lighting is required;

• rehabilitation of disturbed areas; and

• protection of mature trees within the proposed solar farm site where retained.

13.4 Operation

Mitigation measures during the operational period should consider:

• ongoing maintenance and repair of constructed elements;

• replacement of damaged or missing constructed elements; and

• long term maintenance (and replacement as necessary) of tree planting within the solar farm site to

maintain visual filtering and screening of external views where appropriate.



Conclusion Section 14 14.1 Summary

This VIA concludes that overall the construction, activities and operations associated with the proposed White

Rock Solar Farm will have a very low visual impact on the majority of people living in or travelling through the

landscape surrounding the proposed solar farm.

The proposed solar farm will form a low impact and partially visible element within the surrounding landscape

but is unlikely to constitute any marked effect on existing views.

The proposed solar farm will generally complement the scale, landform and pattern of the surrounding

landscape and will not create a noticeable deterioration in the existing view. Any potential residual visual effect

would be positively mitigated through a range of appropriate measures at detailed design, construction and

operational stages.

The overall visual magnitude of the proposed solar farm will result in no significant loss or alteration to pre-

development views and the introduction of constructed elements will not be uncharacteristic with existing

landscape features.

The existing site viewshed is not expected to increase to any significant measure as a result of the proposed solar

farm and will continue to be defined and visually contained by surrounding undulating landform and tree cover.

The character of the existing landscape surrounding the proposed solar farm results in a relatively high VAC and

will tend to readily absorb the expected changes to the visual environment associated with the proposed solar

farm works.

Views toward the proposed solar farm site will continue to be visually filtered and partially screened by existing

tree planting adjoining the proposed site as well as by trees within adjoining properties and alongside road

corridors.

No significant level of sunglint or glare is anticipated to occur at surrounding residential dwellings. The potential

for sunglint to impact surrounding residential dwellings is considered to be very low to negligible due to

intervening landform and/or the presence of tree screening surrounding existing dwellings.

Documents

WHITE ROCK SOLAR FARM - Glen Innes Severn Appendix … · Green Bean Design Pty Ltd (GBD) was commissioned by NGH Environmental Pty Ltd on behalf of White Rock Solar Farm Pty Ltd