Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (13:45) 

I represent a community that understands the value of our land, our industries and our future. That's why there is so much community opposition to the proposed Mitchells Flat Solar Farm. We all support new energy proposals, but we cannot support this continued loss of prime agricultural land for projects that could and should be located elsewhere. Every hectare of farmland we lose to development is a blow to our local farmers, to our food security and to our economy.

On top of that, this project would require around 20km of additional powerlines just to connect it to the grid, carving out more of our landscape and putting more pressure on landowners in our area. That is not smart planning, and that is not in the best interests of our community. There is a better way.

We should be prioritising post-mining land and existing buffer zones that are already cleared and available to be used for projects like these, yet, right now, planning laws make that very difficult. We need the New South Wales government to change those laws and make it easier to use this land for renewable energy projects. We need to strike the right balance, supporting new energy without sacrificing the land that feeds us.

Our community deserves a say in these decisions and, today, I am making sure that their voices are heard. I've met with many of these residents, and we say no to the Mitchells Flat Solar Farm development.