The consultation period for the proposed Cooba Solar Facility must be extended so that concerns from impacted community members and councils are heard properly, according to local MPs from The Nationals.
The 740,000 eight-metre-tall solar panels for the site are set to be constructed in the middle of the Heathcote Wine GI, which includes prime, highly arable agricultural land on the eastern slope of the Mt Camel hill range.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, wrote to the Minister for Planning this week to make sure proper consultation was undertaken and that a planning panel with local voices was established.
“This proposed renewable energy project has left community members in towns like Colbinabbin feeling frustrated and ignored, with the 665-hectare site set to consume much of the region’s prime agricultural land,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Locals have made it clear they are not against renewable projects; they just don’t believe ones like this should consume such productive land when there are several alternative options available.
“Local winegrowers have shared fears about the impact this massive project may have on the local microclimate – something they say will dramatically alter their ability to grow grapes for their wine.
“Despite these valid concerns, there has been a failure to effectively consult with the community that will deal with the fallout from the project.”
The project has also been criticised by the Campaspe Shire Council, who share concerns about the location of the proposed facility and the lack of community consultation involved.
With local government elections set to take place in the coming month, the Campaspe Shire Council has now entered a caretaker period and are limited in their ability to participate in any planned consultation.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria, Gaelle Broad, said it was crucial that the local council was able to effectively have their say on the matter.
“This council has already expressed their concerns over the project, however with the caretaker period underway they are unable to effectively participate in the consultation process,” Ms Broad said.
With any right of appeal removed by the State Government, submissions received will be considered in assessing the application and the Minister for Planning has the sole discretion to determine if the project goes ahead.
Ms Broad said, “Proper scrutiny of this project is essential to ensuring all local voices are heard and the only way to achieve this is by extending the consultation period.”
The frustrations of the community have been voiced in the form of a petition that Ms Cleeland has sponsored and tabled in Parliament.
The petition has reached nearly 2000 signatures, with responses coming from all over the region.
“With Colbinabbin having a population of less than 300 people, it is clear this issue is resonating with people from across regional communities,” Ms Cleeland said.
“I implore the Minister to listen to residents in Colbinabbin and surrounding communities.”
