WANGARATTA council has proceeded with an objection against the Meadow Creek Solar Farm, a move outgoing Mayor Dean Rees has described as the most important decision in his eight years on council.
Community members have been increasingly vocal for the best part of two years on the $750 million, 330MW renewable energy facility proposed on 566 hectares of farmland, with potential to power over 100,000 homes.
Two prominent arguments with the planned solar facility have been that it's proposed for prime agricultural land, and it will have an impact on the ecology and biodiversity of the area.
The fact that the Victorian Government has fast-tracked the planning process on all renewable energy faculties in the state by taking away people's ability to appeal via VCAT has, and will likely continue to be, a blight on people's rights.
Council also applied to have more time to make its submission to the application, however, the State Government declined its request.
Latest Stories
"Shame, shame, shame on the Victorian Government for firstly taking away your rights at VCAT," Cr Rees said prior to being one of six councillors to endorse the objection.
"This is probably the most important issue affecting our community in my eight years on council and again the time that's given to this is deplorable.
"I urge the Victorian Government to consider abolishment of this solar factory and say no to profits and financial gain, and we know this is all about money.
"This is not about our land, this is all about how much money the applicant, the owners of the land are going to make and it's millions.
"It's the most profitable land for agriculture, our food bowl and our community, that's the main thing."
Cr Irene Grant said the development "flies in the face" of the local planning scheme.
"It seeks to develop the solar factory, therefore making the site industrial which will mean more than 570ha of industrial installation on land that is some of the most productive agricultural land in Australia," she said.
"One of the most important issues is this is not a location that has been nominated by the State Government.
"This location has been identified in the Hume region road plan as significant, strategic farming land from a state and national perspective.
"VicGrid has declared the area a tier three or low priority site and it would therefore be a great cost to agriculture and the environment, particularly at a water catchment, tourism and the social fabric of the local community."
Turn to page 16 for more Meadow Creek coverage.
