Developers of state significant development such as the farm near Jindera, which is expected to be a $200 million investment, are required to make contributions under legislation.

CWP Renewables chief operating officer Ed Mounsey wrote to council in October that the company would be willing to enter into a voluntary planning agreement with council, “rather than being  levied consistent with the Greater Hume Council’s position” of contributions under the NSW Environmental  Planning and Assessment Act.

“It would comprise an amount equal to one per cent of the project’s capital investment value … funded over equal payments spread over 10 years,” he wrote.

“Amounts over the initial period would be specifically set aside as a contribution to the Jindera Multi‐Purpose Centre capital works.”

Environment and planning director Colin Kane has recommended in a report that in-principle support should be given to the VPA but that council should negotiate a higher first payment, “possibly $500,000 with the balance payable being proportioned across the remaining nine payments”.

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“Council is a planning authority, however it is not the consent authority for the Glenellen Solar Farm,” he said.

“Consequently, council electing to enter into the VPA will have no bearing on its later decision to either support or not support the development proposal.”

CWP Renewables is planning to build panels on 400 hectares of land used for grazing four kilometres north east of Jindera, with the site to be accessed via the western part of Lindner Road.

Planning is in the early stages, with an environmental impact statement being prepared – following that, the plans will be up for comment from the council and public.

Councillors will vote on giving support to the VPA at Wednesday’s council meeting.