Solar lease a 'win win for everyone'

Greater Shepparton City councillors have voted to enter into a lease agreement for a 23 MW solar farm proposal for GV Link land south of Mooroopna.

At a meeting this week, councillors unanimously voted to grant a lease to GVCE Mooroopna Solar on negotiated terms.

Cr Dinny Adem described the lease as a ‘‘win win for everyone’’, while Cr Bruce Giovanetti said it was an ‘‘excellent achievement to get to this point’’ despite it taking ‘‘a long time to get here’’.

Councillors noted two objections received, both of which had been reviewed and considered.

Cr Chris Hazelman said the objections received related ‘‘more to the operation of the solar farm’’ which the council is ‘‘anticipating we’ll get a planning permit to come later’’.

‘‘Those objectors will get another bite of the cherry,’’ he said.

‘‘That planning permit will go out to public advertisement, this is very much the first stage of the process.’’

Cr Dennis Patterson said it was ‘‘great to work with a community group on a project like this’’, while Mayor Kim O’Keeffe argued ‘‘renewable energy initiatives support the ongoing sustainability’’ of ‘‘local businesses, industry and jobs’’.

Council had in December flagged its intention to enter into the lease for the proposed solar farm, voting to provide public notice.

GVCE chief executive Geoff Lodge had at the time described the council’s decision of intention to lease the land as a ‘‘significant milestone’’ for the project.

The proposed lease would be for a 25-year term, with the option to extend the lease for an additional 25 years.

GVCE Mooroopna Solar indicated to the council that the proposed solar farm would be able to generate up to 23 MW a year.

The lease is for the GV Link land east of Toolamba Rd and the railway line, for the purposes of construction and use as a solar farm.

Mr Lodge in December estimated the proposed facility could feature 62 000 panels across a 30 ha area, provide enough electricity for 6500 homes at a time and provide more than 100 construction jobs in building the facility.

Mr Lodge anticipated about 12 months of detailed designing, including planning approvals, ahead of a further 12 months to construct the facility.

The principal terms of the lease endorsed by councillors include annual rental to be $30 000 plus GST, subject to CPI adjustments at regular intervals and a market review on exercise of the option.

Background information to the meeting specifies the lease would not commence until the ‘‘special purpose vehicle’’ has received all approvals and secured Power Purchase Agreements and obtained the required finance for the project with a financial institution.

The story “Solar Lease” is from The Shepparton News.