Climate change challenge

Victorian MP Darren Cheeseman says based on evidence presented at an inquiry yesterday, Shepparton is prepared to tackle climate change.

Mr Cheeseman and his colleagues on the parliamentary Environment and Planning Committee were at the Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre as part of an inquiry into the effect of climate change in Victorian communities.

The panel heard from Greater Shepparton City Council representatives as well as people from Moira, Mitchell and Campaspe shires, plus the North East Regional Sustainability Alliance and Goulburn Valley Community Energy.

Mr Cheeseman said the panel heard a lot of ‘‘really good’’ evidence about initiatives that had been undertaken at the local level to combat climate change.

‘‘It’s principally driven by local government but also some of the community groups within the area,’’ he said.

Mr Cheeseman said Greater Shepparton City Council discussed the challenges it faced as an entity.

‘‘Through the course of the presentation by the local government groups they spoke about energy efficiency,’’ he said.

‘‘They talked about the Australian building code, their planning schemes and how the state government might best set policy directions and legislation that enables local government to ensure that our communities respond to climate change.

‘‘And that includes having appropriate building codes so that our homes are built in a way that will meet the challenges of climate change.

‘‘So that’s making sure things like insulation (are in place), so the energy costs to heat or cool a house are as low as possible.’’

Mr Cheeseman said no apparent climate change sceptics presented to the panel.

‘‘From the evidence, absolutely they’re (Shepparton) prepared to tackle climate change,’’ he said.

‘‘They’re all focused on the consequences of climate change.

Discussions at Mooroopna meeting at which
Victoria MPs heard submissions on climate change.

‘‘I think the broader Shepparton and northeast (Victoria) communities are meeting those challenges.’’

Basin plan not on agenda

During his interview with The News, Mr Cheeseman said because of climate change there would be less water for farmers.

Despite this, however, Mr Cheeseman said the impact of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan was not brought up by local representatives.

He added no farming groups spoke at the inquiry.

‘‘Because of climate change we’re going to see less rain, so less water, more drought and more heat, which means, ultimately, farming practices are going to change,’’ Mr Cheeseman said.

‘‘Communities are already experiencing the consequences of climate change and this community has recognised that.

‘‘It’s developing its own initiatives, and this inquiry really is about hearing what they are.’’

Mr Cheeseman said he understood irrigation was a ‘‘profoundly important economic asset’’ to the area.

‘‘We know because of climate change, in a general sense, there will be less water available for commercial activity,’’ he said.

‘‘So in terms of responding to climate change it’s about making sure that our farms are as drought-resilient as possible; that we use water obviously as efficiently and effectively as possible.

‘‘I know that would be on the mind of many communities throughout the Murray-Darling Basin, but no evidence has been heard today around some of those challenges, and I’m sure they’ll be dealt with in other Commonwealth processes.’’

Story from The Shepparton News by James Bennett - “Climate change challenge.”

Solar lease step forward for Shepparton

Greater Shepparton City Council has flagged its intention to enter into a lease with Goulburn Valley Community Energy on a $40 million solar farm for GV Link land south of Mooroopna.

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 Pty Ltd indicated to the council that the proposed solar farm would be able to generate up to 23 MW per 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, the council said.

Councillors this week voted to provide public notice of the council’s intention to enter into a lease agreement.

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

‘‘They now need to advertise that; that’s a significant step for us.’’

Mr Lodge estimated the proposed facility would feature 62 000 panels across a 30 ha area.

He said it could provide enough electricity for 6500 homes at any one time and provide more than 100 construction jobs in building the facility.

A council statement said it had also been in receipt of a number of investment inquiries in relation to the leasing of land at the GV Link site. Council officers recognised an opportunity to make the GV Link land east of Toolamba Rd available for a large-scale solar farm, the statement continued.

Council chief executive Peter Harriott had last year been optimistic of the first sod being turned on the project last year.

More than six months later, the council had said while the tender process had been completed on the project, confidential negotiations were continuing.

‘‘A lease for the proposed solar farm at the GV Link site east of Toolamba Rd has now been negotiated and council is proposing to lease the land to GVCE Mooroopna Solar Pty Ltd, being a ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’ which consists of Goulburn Valley Community Energy Pty Ltd (GVCE) and AKUO Energy Pty Ltd,’’ a council statement read.

‘‘Council officers will now progress to the next stage of the process which consists of advertising council’s intention to enter into a proposed lease with the SPV.’’

An advertisement will be made, with public submissions invited for a month from January 4.

‘‘The proposed lease is subject to a number of conditions relating to the planning and development of the solar farm, which include but are not limited to: obtaining approvals and finance and entering into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with relevant parties to purchase the electricity generated by the solar farm,’’ the statement continued.

‘‘The proposed lease would not commence until the SPV has received all approvals and secured PPAs and obtained the required finance for the project with a financial institution.’’

Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said the subject land east of Toolamba Rd had been set aside for water detention as part of the future GV Link project and council officers felt that the area north of the proposed water detention basin could be suitable for a solar farm.

The council had last year hoped the solar development would be capable of producing a minimum of 10 MW, and that the facility might help reverse uncertainty caused by extra energy costs estimated as being in the millions for some businesses.

At this week’s meeting, Cr Bruce Giovanetti said it was ‘‘really great this project is getting off the ground,’’ and that it had been in the works for ‘‘quite some time.’’

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.

Story from The Shepparton News - “Solar lease step forward.”

Solar farm developers could be first of many in the region

The successful developers of Greater Shepparton City Council’s soon-to-be Mooroopna solar farm have been selected, but Mayor Dinny Adem says who it is remains under wraps.

He understood the corresponding proposal would result in a 10 to 15 megawatt facility.

Cr Adem said the decision was likely to be formalised at a forthcoming council meeting, but timelines were still unclear.

The mayor was confident the exciting development would be the first of many.

‘‘There’s a lot of other irons in the fire from other companies wanting to set up solar farms,’’ he said.

‘‘I think you’ll find in 10 years there will be about 20.’’

Cr Adem remained uncertain of the model proposed for the Mooroopna site, on former GV Link land.

Council chief Peter Harriott last month remained optimistic of the first sod being turned on the forthcoming facility this year.

Following an expressions of interest call out 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.

Council had hoped the development would be capable of producing a minimum of 10 megawatts.

Story from today’s Shepparton News.

Urban forest is tangible start for Shepparton to adapt to a changing climate

Shepparton made a tangible start to preparing Shepparton for adaption to a changing climate.

The City of Greater Shepparton formally launched its “Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2037” on Thursday.

Shepparton, along with the rest of the world, will be getting hotter as the 21st Century unfolds and trees, it has been shown, noticeably cool urban areas.

More than 100 people gathered in the Fryers St carpark next to Friars Cafe for the launch to hear from the city council’s CEO, Mr Peter Harriott, the city’s mayor, Dr Dinny Adem, the deputy mayor, Cr Kim O’Keeffe.

Each of those who attended were given a native tree seedling.

On its website, the council explains its vision saying, “Greater Shepparton will be an attractive, vibrant and liveable region with well-connected green spaces that are valued by the community.”

Explaining and “urban forest” it says: “Greater Shepparton City Council manages around 37,000 street and park trees in urban areas including Shepparton, Mooroopna, Tatura, Dookie, Murchison, Kialla and Toolamba. A comprehensive tree audit determined that approximately 19,000 of these are in Shepparton, 6,000 in Mooroopna, 4,000 in Tatura and 8,000 in other towns and locations.

Some of the seedlings handed out to those who
attended Thursday's launch of Shepparton's
Urban Forest Strategy 2017-2037.

“These trees are a core part of Greater Shepparton’s urban forest, which includes all urban trees, both public and private (that is, trees on your property).

“Tree canopy cover was only calculated for the public urban areas of each town. It did not include surrounding farmland or state or national parks. Trees in natural bushland and river lands adjacent to urban areas are also not considered part of the urban forest.

“The urban forest offers natural shade, localised cooling, habitat for animals, air pollution reduction and lower stormwater flows across the whole Greater Shepparton region”.

It says the aim of the city’s urban forest is, by 2037, to:

   •  Increase urban forest canopy cover in each town to 40%

•  Reduce the number of vacant street tree sites to zero

•  Improve urban forest diversity by age and useful life expectancy

•  Increase the number of biodiversity links through each towns street and road network

•  Include urban trees in all major Council infrastructure projects at planning, design and implementation phase

•  Ensure best practice urban tree management is being delivered across all Council programs.

Council’s website explains why an urban forest is important; its health and wellbeing benefits; the economic benefit arising from an urban forest; and, probably most important of all, the environmental benefits its affords residents and all species that call Shepparton home.

Tender launched for Victoria’s ‘largest solar farm’

Plans to build what could be Victoria’s largest solar farm – and potentially a contender for powering Melbourne’s tram network – are gaining momentum, with the launch of a local government tender to develop a utility-scale project near Shepparton, in the state’s north.

Greater Shepparton City Council is calling for expressions of interest from parties wishing to lease Goulburn Valley Link land in the rural town of Mooroopna to host a major solar farm. Tenders must be submitted by March 1.

As reported in Shepparton News this month, the local Goulburn Valley Environment Group had previously earmarked the site as a potential solar farm, with the potential to meet an energy shortfall in Tatura and to restore the region’s label as a solar city.

The council voted in September to cast the net for parties seeking to lease the land east of Toolamba Rd and the railway line for construction and use as a solar farm after receiving significant interest.

In an interview with Country News, GV Community Energy chairman Kevin Simpson said he believed the solar farm had the potential to be the state’s largest, producing enough energy for ‘‘big users’’.

Read the RenewEconomy story - “Tender launched for Victoria’s ‘largest solar farm’.”

From Mooroopna to the Age - Mark Diesendorf's message is consistent

M

ark Diesendorf was one of the four speakers Slap Tomorrow brought to Mooroopna to discuss energy and here he writes in the Melbourne Age.

Mark Diesendorf -
he believes the
era of coal is over.

He says: “The writing is on the wall for coal-fired power in Australia. Despite federal government attempts to stop the growth of renewable energy, all they can do is delay the inevitable transition.

“Tasmania already has almost 100 per cent renewable electricity, based on hydro supplemented by wind. The ACT is on track to reach its target of 90 per cent net renewable electricity by 2020, based on solar and wind.

“South Australia, with no freshwater hydro-electric potential, is the leading mainland state in the transition to renewable energy. Last year 33 per cent of its annual electricity consumption was generated by the wind and 6 per cent from rooftop solar. Furthermore, its electricity system has already operated reliably and stably for hours when the contribution of variable renewable energy reached two-thirds of demand. Recently wind power and gas coped admirably when the coal-fired Northern power station went unexpectedly offline.”

Read his comment piece - “Say goodbye to coal power in Australia”.

Speaking and writing about bio-energy

D

avid Coote was one of three speakers at an Energy forum organized last year in Mooroopna by the Shepparton-based, Slap Tomorrow.

David Coote.

The PhD Candidate, Melbourne School of Land and Environmentat University of Melbourne discussed bio-fuels covering many of the issues he has raised here in a piece on The Conversation written with the Professor of Forestry Operations at University of the Sunshine Coast, Mark Brown.

Read David and Mark’s story - “Burning wood: an opportunity for renewable power and heat”.

Other speakers were Dr Mark Deisendorf of the University New South Wales, and the Director of Applied Horticultural Research, Dr Gordon Rodgers.

The MC for the forum was thinker, comedian and advisor, Rod Quantock.

More than 200 people attended the forum.

From Mooroopna to The Conversation - Mark Diesendorf

S

lap Tomorrow brought Mark Diesendorf to Mooroopna last year and he explained to about 200 people how Australia could immediately switch to renewable energy.

Mark Diesendorf.

And now the Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Institute of Environmental Studies, University of New South Wales writes on The Conversation about: “Accidents, waste and weapons: nuclear power isn’t worth the risks”.

He writes: “The case for expanding nuclear energy is based on myths about its status, greenhouse gas emissions, proliferation, accidents, wastes and economics.”

The renewable future is 'now' - World Bank

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ark Diesendorf last year told more than 200 people at a Slap Tomorrow energy forum in Mooroopna that Australia could make an immediate switch to renewable energy.

Mark Diesendorf.

The Australian academic and environmentalist, known for his work in promoting environmentally sustainable practices in industry and who teaches Environmental Studies at the University of New South Wales, has illustrated conclusively that Australia is well positioned to move, now, into renewable energy.

And his ideas are now endorsed by the World Bank, which declares it all possible in a report:  “The Renewable Electricity Grid: The Future Is Now”.

It has declared that renewables are no longer a marginal industry.

David's blog is about 'Pragmatic Sustainability'

David Coote spoke at the recent Slap Energy forum in Mooroopna and many his ideas can be further explored on his blog, “Pragmatic Sustainability”.

The blog documents steps taken by one couple in Melbourne, Victoria towards living sustainably and the things that inspire them.

David says: “There are lots of ways to be sustainable around the house and many save you money too”.