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Neerabup solar farm proposal back before City of Wanneroo

Laura PondNorth Coast Times

A PROPOSED solar farm in Neerabup returns to the Wanneroo City Council agenda next week.

City of Wanneroo was approached by Wanneroo Solar Park in 2012 to construct and operate a solar power-based energy generation facility in the Neerabup energy precinct, north of Trandos Road.

Reports on the project have previously been presented to council in 2014 and 2015.

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The City sought expressions of interest for construction and management of the facility in 2015, with eight submissions received.

Speaking at the council briefing session on July 12, City business and finance operations manager David Nicholson said the submissions were “complex” and an independent consultant was appointed to assess them.

The subsequent report recommended a reduced scale facility, with the City as a foundation off-take customer.

“We quickly identified a significant change in scope… (so we need to) terminate the expression of interest and undertake the process again,” Mr Nicholson said.

He said there was also concern about State Government’s draft Perth and Peel Green Growth Plan for 3.5 million

“The (plan) may have an impact on the availability of the land,” he said.

“We believe we now need to rescind and go back to the market.”

Council will resolve whether to endorse the re-advertising of expressions of interest at Tuesday’s council meeting.