The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has joined representatives from the Colbinabbin Renewable Action Group at the Parliament of Victoria as they continue to fight against the proposed Cooba Solar Facility.
The facility, if approved, would see 740,000 eight-meter-tall solar panels installed over a sprawling 665-hectare site, located just 4.5 km from Colbinabbin.
This project threatens a region at the heart of the Heathcote Wine GI, an area renowned for its prime agricultural land and vineyards.
Local farmers, businesses, CFA volunteers, and residents are united in their opposition to the project, which they fear will inflict irreparable harm on the community.
These concerns are also shared by the Campaspe Shire Council, who have publicly voiced their opposition to the project.
Ms Cleeland said the project was putting the local community at risk.
“This project represents an unacceptable threat to our community, our farmers, local businesses, and the very foundation of the local economy,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We cannot stand by while Colbinabbin’s future, its vital farmland, and its thriving tourism sector are jeopardised.
“From fire risks to the destruction of our agricultural land, to the uncertainty of any real benefits for the local community – there are far too many serious issues to justify allowing this project to proceed.”
Despite widespread opposition from within the community and the local council, under the Labor government’s new planning laws, the Minister for Planning has the final decision on whether the project proceeds.
“I have called on the Minister for Planning to categorically reject this proposal and protect our community from this destructive development,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This government must prioritise the concerns of our community and ensure that local voices are not drowned out in favour of overseas corporations.”
Parliamentary contributions about the facility were also made by the Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources, David Davis, and The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria, Gaelle Broad.
“The state government has an important responsibility to oversee future development and ensure that we look after prime agricultural land,” Ms Broad said.
“Our global population continues to grow and so does our need for food production.”
“It is a very large and impactful solar farm that will devastate the local area and cause huge damage in terms of fire risk and other matters but also with the visual impacts,” Mr Davis said.
Ms Cleeland has been consistently advocating on behalf of the Colbinabbin community in their fight against the project, writing to the Minister on multiple occasions, helping present a petition to Parliament, and speaking on the matter in the chambers and with the media.
