Blindsided: Landowners fear solar farm proposal as council finds out via Facebook

When fifth-generation grazier and engineer Peter Reardon, Beldara, opened a letter three weeks ago, he wasn't expecting to discover that his entire property could be boxed in by solar panels.

Five of his six boundary fences meet the proposed 250-megawatt Boree solar farm and 150MW battery facility, planned by Canadian developer Venn Energy.

With an operational life of 30 years from 2029, construction, if approved, is expected to begin in 2027.

Until he fought for a seat at the table, Mr Reardon said he wasn't informed or consulted by the company during its initial scoping phase.

"Can you imagine opening a letter and seeing your entire property boxed in by potentially tens of thousands of solar panels, surrounded by 10-foot fences, razor wire, security cameras and floodlights?" he said.

Having lived on his property for more than 20 years, Mr Reardon said the consultation process was "very inauthentic" and "disingenuous".

"They allowed for just two days of 45-minute sessions. The only reason I even got a meeting was because a sitting member of parliament intervened," he said.

Concerned, he spoke with other locals, many of who had no idea about the project.

"Venn has only talked to a dozen people to tick a few boxes," he said.

"We've asked for community meetings, but they've refused and can't answer basic questions.

"It doesn't pass the pub test."

Regenerative graziers Mary Noglick and Les Dwyer-Gray, Hat Creek, were first advised of the project by mail on March 27.

Parts of their 202ha property are protected under biodiversity and riparian orders.

"On the tiny map provided, we discovered the site is on three of our four boundaries," Ms Noglick said.

When the couple asked for a clearer map, it wasn't until the following week that they received one.

Landholders were given less than a month to complete a community survey.

"We've had to scramble for more information, turn our lives upside down, and forgo daily practices just to meet their deadlines," Ms Noglick said.

She said the rushed timeline and lack of transparency had caused significant emotional stress.

Dust, heavy machinery, and water pollution are among her major concerns.

"Our property is downhill from the proposed site, exposing us to intolerable noise, soil destruction, and increased fire risk," she said.

"Runoff will erode contour banks, flow through our property, and into Mitchell and Plain Creeks, eventually reaching the Macquarie River."

Robyn and Bill Hicks' retirement property, Firbank, is similarly boxed in, with three boundary fences and an access road surrounding them.

"We've been bullied and bulldozed," Mr Hicks said.

The couple were also concerned the project would devalue their land.

"We're not criticising neighbours who leased land, we all do what we must, but this is prime agricultural land, and that makes it harder to accept," he said.

Carla Pittman, Poraka, who has bred cattle on her 121ha property for 25 years, also found out three weeks ago.

"We met with the project team but critical issues like water contamination remain unconfirmed," she said.

Two of Ms Pittman's main dams, along with key water sources, rely on runoff from the proposed site and more than 28ha of her land also serves as a wildlife corridor.

Concerns have rippled through the broader community, with businesses fearing long-term impacts.

Geurie General Store owners Rachel and David McMaster said the development could significantly hurt their business.

"We're supported by farmers, shearers, and irrigators. If people aren't working the land, it will slow down our business," Mrs McMaster said.

"We've seen very little trade from existing solar farms and it's daunting because who really benefits in a small town like this?"

She also raised concerns about increased flood risk.

"Our village doesn't cope with flooding, and farms that usually absorb rainwater will no longer do so," she said.

"Our 123-year-old store floods already and this could seriously impact our insurance and future."

Dubbo Regional Council mayor Joshua Black said the council only found out about the project on April 1, after the landholders were formally notified by the company.

"I first heard about it through Facebook," he said.

"These companies piggyback off existing infrastructure and use resources paid for by [the community]."

Member for Calare Andrew Gee said the scale of the proposal was concerning.

"Foreign companies offer one-sided contracts and divide communities," he said.

"These consultations are just box-ticking exercises."

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers' Mark Banasiak MLC, chairing the NSW Renewable Energy Zone inquiry, said the community's concerns were well-founded.

"Everything you are saying about the consultation is what we've been hearing through the inquiry process," he said.

"You've convinced me this farm is a terrible idea, now you must convince the seven other people on this committee as well as your local and federal members to oppose this."

The Land contacted Venn Energy with questions about the consultation process, project design, community impact, economic concerns and transparency. However, the company declined to comment.