Fremantle: urban solar farm business plan approval one step closer

THE City of Fremantle is one step closer to approving the final business plan for an urban solar farm at a former landfill site.

The Finance, Policy, Operations and Legislation committee passed the officers recommendation last night.

According to a report by the Department of Water and Environment Regulation, the former landfill site along Cockburn Road is classified a contaminated site because sand caps that cover the waste may include asbestos-containing material.

If approved by Fremantle Council, the lease would be 25 years with rent reviews every three years to allow the City to instigate commercial rent if profitability increases.

The lease would not be executed until all approvals are granted by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) for both the development and lease to Eupron.

The report stated that separate council processes and further community consultation would take place regarding environmental concerns.

“Environmental concerns and conditions of development approval are being dealt with through preparation of site and construction management plans,” the report said.

Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt said it was excellent that it was at council but reiterated that that there was no final decision made.

“The lease will only be signed if it can be shown it can be done safely,” he said.

Currently Eupron are working to secure Western Power approval, a power purchasing agreement and environmental approvals.