South Fremantle Solar Farm
Consultation has concluded

Are you looking for more information about the proposed South Fremantle solar farm? This is the place to visit for regular updates and to find information about the project.
The City of Fremantle has been investigating environmental, land use and management options for the former South Fremantle landfill site since 1985.
In consultation with the community, two land use plans were prepared as part of a feasibility study in 2003-2004, but neither plan was financially viable.
Due to the level of contamination on the site and the expected cost of remediation it is unlikely any development of the site will be viable for the short to medium term.
As the City is required to restrict access to the site it is unsuitable for use as public open space.
In 2013 the Council resolved to investigate the possibility of developing a solar farm on the site and to call for expressions of interest from parties willing to explore the idea and potentially develop such a facility.
The process since the City called for expressions of interest is shown on the timeline to the right.
The location of the solar farm site is detailed below. Further technical drawings can be found in the document library.
How can I find out more?
We've compiled an extensive list of frequently asked questions, and you may find detailed information in the document library.
If you have questions that are not answered here or would like more information about the solar farm, you can email communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au
Are you looking for more information about the proposed South Fremantle solar farm? This is the place to visit for regular updates and to find information about the project.
The City of Fremantle has been investigating environmental, land use and management options for the former South Fremantle landfill site since 1985.
In consultation with the community, two land use plans were prepared as part of a feasibility study in 2003-2004, but neither plan was financially viable.
Due to the level of contamination on the site and the expected cost of remediation it is unlikely any development of the site will be viable for the short to medium term.
As the City is required to restrict access to the site it is unsuitable for use as public open space.
In 2013 the Council resolved to investigate the possibility of developing a solar farm on the site and to call for expressions of interest from parties willing to explore the idea and potentially develop such a facility.
The process since the City called for expressions of interest is shown on the timeline to the right.
The location of the solar farm site is detailed below. Further technical drawings can be found in the document library.
How can I find out more?
We've compiled an extensive list of frequently asked questions, and you may find detailed information in the document library.
If you have questions that are not answered here or would like more information about the solar farm, you can email communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au
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Update - June 2021
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe project proponent, Epuron, is continuing to review funding options and power purchase agreements for the solar farm.
If and when project feasibility is confirmed, the lease will be finalised and Epuron will be in a position to appoint a contractor.
The City is currently expecting a decision on whether the project is likely to proceed by the end of 2021.
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Update on biosecurity obligations
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkby Rhiannon,Question 12.18 has been updated to reflect new information received by the City of Fremantle.
In addition to the existing advice from the Department of Health, the City has also checked with the federal Department of Agriculture regarding any obligations under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
The Department has confirmed that the site is not subject to Approved Arrangements site provisions under this Act.
The Department has stated that it will work with the Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and the City of Fremantle in relation to this matter.
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Additional FAQs Added
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe City of Fremantle and Epuron have recently received further questions about site management for the proposed South Fremantle solar farm.
The new questions and answers have been added to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section as Section 12 - Additional questions received July-August 2019. Question 12.9 refers to a 2016 Offsite Landfill Gas and Vapour Investigation conducted by GHD. This report is also now available in the document library. Please note before downloading that the report has been compressed but is still over 50MB.
All other relevant documents - including the SMP/CEMP and the Auditor’s Report (MAR) are also available for download in the document library.
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Update on Community Information Session
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkAs previously advised the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has accepted the Contaminated Sites Auditor’s recommendation that the South Fremantle Landfill site is suitable for use as a Solar Farm - providing the Site and Construction Environmental Management Plan (SMP/CEMP) is adhered to.
As promised, the City of Fremantle and Epuron will be arranging a community information session to help explain and answer any questions on the site management requirements.
In order to best answer the very specific site management questions which are arising, the City and Epuron have agreed the meeting would be most helpful if it were held when a contractor has been appointed.
This is likely to occur later in the year. We will provide notification once a date has been set.
In the meantime, you can view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), including information on:
- Q 6.1 How will the panels be laid out and does the final design disturb the bund?
- Q 10.2 The Site Management Plan (SMP) is quite a large document, where can I find the information I’m looking for?
All the relevant documents - including the SMP/CEMP and the Auditor’s Report (MAR) are also available for download in the document library.
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Environmental Approvals received
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe City of Fremantle has received advice that Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has accepted the Contaminated Sites Auditor’s recommendation that the South Fremantle landfill site is suitable for use as a solar farm, providing the Site Management Plan (SMP) and Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) are adhered to.
The City of Fremantle and Epuron will be arranging a community information session to help explain and answer any questions on the site management requirements.
All relevant documents - including the Site and Construction Management Plans and the Auditor’s Report are now available in the document library. We’ve also provided more frequently asked questions including a summary of requirements in the SMP/CEMP and a guide as to where to find specific information in the documents.
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Business Plan Approved by Council
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkby Rhiannon,A report on the South Fremantle Solar Farm Business Plan was considered by the City of Fremantle’s Finance, Policy, Operations and Legislation (FPOL) Committee on Wednesday 12 September 2018 and Council on Wednesday 26 September 2018. Council approved the Business Plan, you can view the Council minutes here.
The City of Fremantle will not sign the lease until Epuron has met all conditions of the development approval and all environmental approvals. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) must approve the lease and will not do so unless it is satisfied with the plans for site management.
Epuron will amend its site management plan and prepare a construction management plan in accordance with the City and the auditor’s requirements. The revised documents will be made available to the public prior to commencement of construction, via this project page.
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South Fremantle Solar Farm Business Plan out for comment
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkby Admin,Under the Local Government Act, any major land transaction requires the City to prepare a Business Plan.
This plan must be advertised for six weeks to allow for community input. This period formally commenced on 10 May 2018 will be open until 21 June.
Review and comment on the business plan
FAQ
- 1 Site history and contaminated site requirements
- 2 Possible uses for the South Fremantle landfill site
- 3 Benefits of putting a solar farm on the former South Fremantle landfill site
- 4 Working with Epuron
- 5 Buying and selling power
- 6 Design of the solar farm
- 7 Managing risks in building and operating a solar farm on the South Fremantle landfill site
- 8 Solar farm Business Plan
- 9 Approvals and conditions of approval
- 10 Site management requirements
- 11 Timeline
- 12 Additional questions (July - December 2019)
Document Library
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Update - 2019
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Solar Farm - Fact Sheet - August 2019 (641 KB) (pdf)
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Solar Farm - DWER Approval - June 2019 (502 KB) (pdf)
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Solar Farm - Mandatory Auditor's Report (MAR) - May 2019 (4.94 MB) (pdf)
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Solar Farm - Site Management Plan (13.7 MB) (pdf)
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Solar Farm - Development Application DA Conditions Status - July 2019 (436 KB) (pdf)
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Solar Farm - DOH advice - Apr 2019 (247 KB) (pdf)
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Document library 2018 and prior
Timeline
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Expression of interest
South Fremantle Solar Farm has finished this stageCouncil approve advertising for expressions of interest to construct and operate a solar farm on the former South Fremantle landfill site.
May 2013
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Proponent approved
South Fremantle Solar Farm has finished this stageCouncil approved City of Fremantle granting First Solar an exclusive working agreement for 12 months. Epuron approved as second preferred proponent.
February 2015
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Proponent withdrew
South Fremantle Solar Farm has finished this stageFirst Solar withdraws.
August 2015
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Second preferred proponent selected
South Fremantle Solar Farm has finished this stageCity invited Epuron to enter into an exclusive working agreement as approved by Council in Feb 2015.
August 2015
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Exclusive working agreement signed
South Fremantle Solar Farm has finished this stageEpuron signed exclusive working agreement for 12 months.
October 2015
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Request for extension to exclusive working agreement
South Fremantle Solar Farm has finished this stageEpuron requested extension to exclusive working agreement. The Chief Executive officer approved.
June 2016
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Exclusive working agreement extended
South Fremantle Solar Farm has finished this stageFinance, Policy Operations and Legislation Committee authorised the Chief Executive Officer to agree an extended working agreement.
June 2017
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Development application approved
South Fremantle Solar Farm has finished this stagePlanning Committee approved development application, subject to conditions.
April 2018
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Business plan advertised
South Fremantle Solar Farm has finished this stageFPOL approves advertising of business plan for lease.
April 2018
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Business plan approved
South Fremantle Solar Farm has finished this stageFPOL Committee and council considered comments and approved the business plan.
September 2018
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Environmental approval
South Fremantle Solar Farm has finished this stageDWER has approved the site management requirements.
June 2019
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Proponent assessing feasibility
South Fremantle Solar Farm is currently at this stageEpuron continuing to review funding options and power purchase agreement feasibility.
More information on whether the project is likely to proceed is expected by end 2021.
2021
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Lease approval
this is an upcoming stage for South Fremantle Solar FarmDetails of the lease are negotiated. A contractor is appointed.
TBA
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Community information session
this is an upcoming stage for South Fremantle Solar FarmThe City and Epuron to provide a community information session once a contractor has been appointed.
TBA
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Commencement of onsite activity
this is an upcoming stage for South Fremantle Solar FarmOnsite activity commences, subject to proponent's commercial decision and all approvals being in place.
TBA
Contact us
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Phone 1300 MY FREO (1300 693 736) Email planning@fremantle.wa.gov.au