Concerned residents of Colbinabbin have tabled an online petition requesting that the Victorian Parliament reconsiders the location of the 665-hectare Cooba Solar Facility.
The petition is sponsored by Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, and says the proposed location of the major renewable energy project was unsuitable due to falling in the middle of the Heathcote wine region and was located on highly arable agricultural land.
“This isn’t NIMBY behaviour, these are groups of people who are concerned about what these massive developments will mean for their community,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This is prime agricultural land that is an important contributor to the local economy, and it will be significantly impacted by adding over 740,000 eight-foot solar panels to it.
“We cannot allow large corporations to swoop into our communities, dismiss the concerns of the people, then take all the benefits offshore, leaving locals with nothing.
With the Euroa electorate and the wider north-east of Victoria set to become hubs for many renewable energy projects, Ms Cleeland stressed the importance of ensuring this transition includes local communities.
“We know what can be achieved when we get the transition to renewables right, where communities are involved and benefit from the change,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The rapid expansion of renewables across regional Victoria is undeniable. But it’s crucial we prioritise listening to the impacted communities and ensuring a careful approach.”
The online petition is now available to sign at: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/cooba-solar-facility/
