Powering the region

Greater Shepparton’s ‘solar city’ tag appears to be gaining traction again, as the City’s council last month received an application for a $34 million solar farm for land in Tallygaroopna.

It follows the council’s recent efforts to develop a significant solar facility on Goulburn Valley Link land south of Mooroopna.

Meanwhile, Moira Shire Council in August pushed ahead with a 100 megawatt solar farm for Wunghnu.

The council had also earlier this year received an application for a fourth solar farm development near Tatura, but little detail on the proposal has followed.

The applicant of the Tallygaroopna proposal, named as X-Elio Australia, has lodged an application for the use and development of land in Tallygaroopna for a solar farm, described as ‘‘in the floodway overlay and land subject to inundation overlay’’ in council application details, removal of native vegetation and business identification signage.

Local engineering firm Spiire appear to be involved with the application, listed as a contact.

The application suggests the applicants have met with the council regarding the proposal.

The proposal is for agricultural land on Victoria St, Tallygaroopna.

Detail accompanying the planning application estimates the proposal’s ‘‘peak power’’ at 30 MW.

The large-scale solar farm for Mooroopna was addressed during the confidential section of last month’s council meeting, but one councillor questioned why the ‘‘exciting’’ matter was discussed behind closed doors.

Little detail was offered following by the council or Mayor Dinny Adem following the meeting.

But Cr Adem recently indicated the Mooroopna solar development would likely produce a facility generating between 10 and 15 MW.

Council chief executive Peter Harriott in July was optimistic the first sod would be turned this year.

Following an expressions of interest call to parties interested in leasing land south of Mooroopna for a large-scale solar facility, the council moved to a limited tender process to develop the facility.

Moira Shire Council in August voted to approve a planning permit for a large-scale solar farm on more than 500 ha east of Wunghnu.

The project proposes 350 000 solar panels, estimated to provide 100 MW of energy to the grid.

Earlier this year, CleanGen proposed a 45 MW facility on 125 ha for Ferguson Rd, Tatura, at a cost of about $50 million.

Construction was expected to generate more than 200 jobs.

Story from today’s Shepparton News by Thomas Moir - “Powering the region.”