YOUR SAY: Border Mail letters to the editor

"We are not opposed to renewable energy but the placement of it", has become a tag-line for those opposed to the proposed Culcairn Solar Farm. I ask these people, what is the difference? If everyone opposed renewable energy farms near them then none would be built.

They will support renewable energy in theory but when the opportunity comes to support it in practice they shy away. As Australia's coal power batteries retire the need for renewable energy becomes more pressing. We need to support renewable energy Australia-wide.

Some people simply dismiss the issue, saying that solar farms should be built further out west, where the land is supposedly "less productive". Renewable energy cannot only be built far out west.

The further away from population centres that these solar farms are built, the more energy that will be lost along the line, and this drives up energy costs. Moreover, agricultural land is still lost as power lines need to be built over longer distances to connect the power supply.

The Culcairn Solar Farm is an optimal location for solar farming and agriculture to coexist. The site is already connected to transgrid power lines. Moreover, the agricultural productivity of the land will not be threatened as the landholders are proposing to run sheep underneath the solar panels, as is already being done on solar farms around the country.

As climate change threatens Australia's energy supply and agricultural future, Australians need to change the way they farm and produce energy.

Renewable energy can be paired with agriculture in innovative ways that will be more sustainable than conventional agriculture in the long term. We can no longer sit on our hands and say "not in my backyard" when the opportunity for change for readily available.

Last Saturday afternoon, a pleasant walk to Noreuil Park along the riverside was absolutely spoiled by blaring radio, broadcasting from a speaker on a pole near a boat loading ramp.

There was no "party" visible, no public function, all of which would be excusable, and I would either attend or not, my choice. I don't know from where it was emanating, but it was certainly unwarranted and quite ruined the ambience of the flowing river and birds calling, the sun setting, (yes even large flocks of Corellas squawking were preferable).

If you want to listen to radio/music/podcasts etc, as you walk or play then use your own private hearing devices. Don't assume everyone is of the same mind.

We are bombarded every day, everywhere with noise. Please let the river at places like Noreuil Park retain their natural state and the only "noise" to be heard is of families and young folk having fun in the water and along the banks.

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