There aren't any negatives to the development of solar farms in rural areas, according to farmer and Greater Hume Shire councillor Matt Hicks.
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Mr Hicks, who has agreed to lease 1350 hectares of his land at Culcairn for a 400 megawatt solar farm, said those who oppose the developments are "jealous".
Four solar farms are proposed for the Greater Hume Shire at Jindera, Glenellen, Culcairn and Walla.
Council voted to oppose the Jindera proposal on Wednesday night despite Martin Salzke, whose land will be leased by Green Switch Australia, pleading his case saying the land will remain agricultural.
Mr Hicks, who was absent at the meeting, told The Border Mail rural land is the "perfect" place for renewable energy.
"At the end of the day rural land is perfect for it as you are running solar as well as sheep," he said.
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"And I think that has been lost in a lot in the debate around the proposals. Solar is all good, I honestly can't see the bad.
"I am of the opinion that the farm isn't going to create any impacts on the landholders around us. And at the end of the day this is a 30 year proposal with the possibility for it to extend to 60 years.
"After that the land will go back to full agricultural land.
"There isn't any negatives to these proposals, there are only positives."
Mayor Heather Wilton was the only councillor who voted in favour of the Jindera development at the meeting. Their submission to the NSW planning department will state they oppose the farm.
Mr Hicks said he understands there are "opinions for both sides" but those who are leasing the land are "all for it".
"At the end of the day this is our land and there isn't an impact on outside the development," he said.
"Some people just like to stick their noses in other people's business and aren't looking at the benefits for the region at all.
"Our area has been hit pretty hard with the job losses from the paper mill at Ettamogah - I believe if these solar farms go ahead those workers would be able to get contract work during the development until the paper mill decides what's next.