Local leaders challenge Colbinabbin solar project

By Jemma Jones

Jul 11, 2024

Colbinabbin Renewable Action Group chair John Davies led discussions with state Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and Cr Paul Jarman when they visited residents of properties **neighbouring** the proposed Cooba Solar Facility. Photo by Jemma Jones

Local leaders have put their two cents in about the proposed solar facility at Colbinabbin.

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Families and residents residing next to the land proposed for the divisive Cooba Solar Facility received a visit from state Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and Rochester-ward Cr Paul Jarman on Wednesday, July 3.

The visit was prompted by ongoing concerns that the solar facility will impede the agriculture land on which the project is set to be built.

Sixteen community members and residents of neighbouring farms gathered in Peter Tuohey’s home overlooking the proposed site.

All 16 attendees are also a part of the Colbinabbin Renewable Action Group, which consists of about 150 Colbinabbin business owners, farmers and residents opposing the solar project.

The discussions were in public, where Mr Walsh and Cr Jarman heard from residents about their concerns before entering into a private conversation later on in the day away from prying eyes and cameras.

The main emotion felt in the public morning gathering was one of motivation for action and change.

Mr Walsh and Cr Jarman heard from the affected residents about issues that could arise from the development of the solar facility, including visual amenity, loss of intergenerational farming, fire risk, the insurance impact, agritourism and the proposed land being “prime agricultural land” and “arable”.

Only four per cent of land in Australia is arable, according to the Victorian Farmers Federation.

Colbinabbin Renewable Action Group chair John Davies led discussions with Mr Walsh and Cr Jarman, with the main point being that the proposed site being “prime agricultural land” goes against the requirements listed in the Solar Energy Facilities Design and Development Guideline.

The guideline states: “A solar energy facility should not lead to ... the loss of productive, state-significant agricultural land.”

The Colbinabbin Renewable Action Group argues that the proposed land is on “prime agricultural land”, which goes against state guidelines for solar projects. Photo by Jemma Jones

In the June 18 Campaspe Shire Council meeting, Cr Jarman led the motion for a submission to the Municipal Association of Victoria in relation to the role that communities play in the development of renewable projects.

In the council meeting, he addressed the Cooba project and the issue of local government not having a role in the decision-making process, citing “local government’s inability to influence that decision other than advocate and lobby on behalf of our community”.

Cr Jarman said local governments in regional areas faced issues relating to transmission lines, solar farms and renewable developments.

“It’s absolutely crucial that we embrace this type of technology. I’m not against that — but it also needs to be better understood where appropriate locations are, particularly at the expense of high-value rural land that is the backbone of our community.”

In the meeting with the Colbinabbin residents, he reiterated that stance.

**Peter Walsh and Cr Paul Jarman listened to the concerns and worries of Colbinabbin residents that will be “directly affected” by the development of the Cooba Solar Facility.** Photo by Jemma Jones

“It’s quite a large development, and the site’s quite unique; hence you have Peter’s interest, and I have come out here to essentially get a better understanding so that we can form a view on where we are,” Cr Jarman said.

“Campaspe Shire is absolutely pro-renewable … but the concerns that I’ve got, and I can only speak for myself, is that appropriate location of those renewables is really the discussion that I’m here to understand to sort of inform the opinion.”

In the public meeting, Mr Walsh did not comment on a lot, but was interested to hear about the group’s strategy.

The next step in the process is a waiting game, essentially.

The group needs to wait for Venn Energy to submit a further information requirement document, which will include information about cultural heritage, environmental impact and other factors.

This document will be put on public display before the Victorian planning minister decides whether the project will continue.

After meeting with the residents of Colbinabbin and members of the Colbinabbin Renewable Action Group, Mr Walsh confirmed he would be supporting them in their opposition to the solar farm.

“The locals have a very solid and well-planned position on why this project should not go ahead and while no-one doubts the long-term need for renewable sources of energy in the overall mix to keep the state’s lights on and businesses and factories working, at this stage there needs to be a more considered approach as to where these facilities are sited,” Mr Walsh said.

He said he would work with state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, who has previously supported opposition to the project, to ensure the project was moved to a more suitable place that “is not in the heart of such prime agricultural country”.