You can make a submission on Suncable’s plans to build Australia’s largest solar farm on Aboriginal-owned Muckaty Station.
Environment Centre NT is closely scrutinising the impacts of a proposed solar and battery project at Muckaty Station north of Tennant Creek for its impacts on nature, water and communities.
Suncable has referred its plans for Australia's largest solar project to the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority for review.
The proposal spans a staggering 105,000 hectares, with a disturbance footprint of 49,300 hectares.
The proposed Muckaty solar precinct is additional to the massive Asia PowerLink project that has already received approvals for 10 gigawatts of capacity at Powell Creek.
Environmental surveys at Muckaty Station recorded signs of Greater Bilbys at 53 sites, of which 33 sites were ‘confirmed bilby’ and 20 sites were ‘likely bilby’. Greater Bilby signs included 73 burrows, numerous diggings and a few scats and tracks.
The surveys found a moderate likelihood of one of Australia’s rarest birds of prey, Grey Falcons, as well as Yellow Spotted Monitors, within the project area.
Foraging, hunting and nesting habitat for Grey Falcons would be impacted by this project. Grey Falcons are listed as Vulnerable under both the federal and Territory laws.
Public feedback on the proposal closes on Tuesday 25 November.
Executive Director of the Environment Centre NT, Dr Kirsty Howey said:
“The scale of this project is simply gobsmacking and is possibly unparalleled in Australia, or for that matter the world.”
“Any project of this size deserves the closest scrutiny for its impacts on nature and communities, whatever the industry.”
“We’re particularly concerned about the potential destruction of swathes of bilby habitat, one of Australia’s most iconic animals, as well as potential impacts on precious water resources in this arid region.”