Time to act on solar farms

The opening of Victoria’s largest solar farm in Numurkah is good news for the region.

But it is also a reminder the Victorian Government must urgently deal with the release of final guidelines for solar farm applications in the Shepparton district. 

Bright prospects: Moira Shire Mayor Libro Mustica, Neoen
 managing director Louis de Sambucy and Energy,
Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio.

Yesterday, The News asked Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio why the guidelines had still not been released. 

And she said it was important ‘‘we get it right’’. 

‘‘The guidelines that are under consideration by the Planning Minister will be in place for a number of years and provide the necessary road map for industry to understand where it can invest, the local conditions it needs to take into account, and consultation with local council and community,’’ she said. 

‘‘We have to get this right and I know the Planning Minister will make his decision available at the right time when he’s considered all of the issues put forward to him.’’ 

While it is true we need to get these guidelines right, the right time to make this decision available is now. 

Because without rules in place, there is no security for the community and there is no security for agriculture producers. Getting it right can no longer be treated as an excuse and common sense must prevail. 

This Editorial is from The Shepparton News.

Region solar farms decision still in limbo

The Victorian Government was in Numurkah yesterday spruiking the new solar farm. However, it wouldn’t provide any significant update on three proposed solar farms in the Shepparton area. 

Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said: ‘‘ Victoria (is) leading the way approving . . . the construction and build’’ of renewable energy projects, but passed the buck back to Planning Minister Richard Wynne to make the final decision. 

The government has consistently said it would not decide on the proposed solar farms in Lemnos, Tallygaroopna and Tatura East until guidelines were released by an independent panel. 

Lily D'Ambrosio.

The guidelines will assist Mr Wynne’s decision if the solar farms should be built at the proposed locations. 

It’s understood those guidelines would be released on June 30. Last week a government spokesperson told the News the guidelines were in the ‘‘ process of being finalised’’. 

Yesterday the News asked Ms D’Ambrosio why the guidelines had not been released. 

‘‘ I think it’s important we get it right,’’ she said. 

‘‘ The guidelines that are under consideration by the Planning Minister will be in place for a number of years and provide the necessary road map for industry to understand where it can invest, the local conditions it needs to take into account, and consultation with local council and community. 

‘‘ We have to get this right and I know the Planning Minister will make his decision available at the right time when he’s considered all of the issues put forward to him.’’ 

Concerns have been raised in the past by State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed about building the solar farms on prime agricultural land. 

Ms D’Ambrosio said the decision rested with Mr Wynne whether to approve the proposed farms. 

‘‘ We will certainly hear from the minister for planning when he’s fully considered all of the issues.’’ 

Story by James Bennett from The Shepparton News - “Region solar farms decision still in limbo”.

Go solar for a bright future

IF THE (VICTORIAN RENEWABLE) TARGET DOES GO AHEAD, IT COULD HELP FUEL A SOLAR BOOM THAT THE GOULBURN VALLEY COULD BENEFIT FROM

Things are looking bright near Numurkah with the ambitious proposal for a large-scale solar farm.

Shepparton has long touted itself as the ‘‘solar city’’, but recent proposals have had other areas across regional Victoria as potential sites for large-scale solar developments.

Last night, the Moira Shire Council approved a proposal for a large-scale solar farm at Wunghnu, near Numurkah.

It is easy to see why renewable energy companies are looking at central Victoria.

The central area of Victoria receives lots of sunshine and has close access to the grid and large energy using cities.

The energy market has been in a rapid state of change in the last few years, as investment in renewable energy has increased and old power plants have been decommissioned.

The state once thrived on cheap brown coal, but this has slowly changed as older power plants, including the Hazelwood Power Station, have been shut down.

Environmentalists have welcomed the move away from brown coal, but the change has also presented its own difficulties as the energy market adjusts to the changes.

Power prices have been on the increase, with large companies, including agricultural companies, getting hit with ever increasing power bills.

For agricultural producers competing in the global market, a power price spike can be a big hit to their international competitiveness.

A return to the days of brown coal looks unlikely, and with falling prices in renewable energy, we can hope that power prices eventually stabilise.

A renewable energy boom could be a big driver of economic growth across regional Victoria, and Goulburn Valley is in the right area to take advantage.

Although it is a long way to go for the project to go to construction, the $175 million solar farm at Wunghnu would be one of the largest Australian projects for French energy company Neoen.

The Andrews Labor Government is pushing renewable energy hard, with the introduction of a state renewable energy target.

If Daniel Andrews gets his way, 25 per cent of our state’s power will be sourced from renewables by 2020, with further increases to 40 per cent by 2025.

The issue of renewable energy targets is politically contentious, but if the target does go ahead, it could help fuel a solar boom that the Goulburn Valley could benefit from.

The Editorial in today’s Shepparton News - “Go solar for a bright future.”

Powering the region

A significant solar farm proposal planned for between Shepparton and Numurkah may come before Moira Shire Council later this month, as the council’s boss put his cautious support behind the idea.

The $170million plan for land east of Wunghnu, awaiting approval, is the brainchild of Paris-based company Neoen Australia.

The group expects the development will produce 100 megawatts of power into the grid, from 350000 solar panels on the 500ha site.

Moira Shire chief executive Mark Henderson remained confident the ‘‘substantial project’’ could sure up power supply into shire towns and help prevent ‘‘significant power fluctuations’’ experienced.

This story by Thomas Moir in the Shepparton News - “Powering the region.”

Powering the region

A significant solar farm proposal planned for between Shepparton and Numurkah may come before Moira Shire Council later this month, as the council’s boss put his cautious support behind the idea.

The $170 million plan for land east of Wunghnu, awaiting approval, is the brainchild of Paris-based company Neoen Australia.

The group expects the development will produce 100 megawatts of power into the grid, from 350 000 solar panels on the 500 ha site.

Powering up: Solar panels at the Williamdale
Solar farm outside Canberra, similar to
what would be installed at Wunghnu.

Moira Shire chief executive Mark Henderson remained confident the ‘‘substantial project’’ could sure up power supply into shire towns and help prevent ‘‘significant power fluctuations’’ experienced.

The plan is estimated to create more than 200 jobs during the construction phase, expected to inject ‘‘a lot of cash into the local economy,’’ and about five operational jobs on an ongoing basis.

Mr Henderson said the shire regularly found power supply into its towns was not adequate and anything that injected new energy into market was in the council’s view good for business.

‘‘It’s got to be an advantage to have increased supply capacity coming into the region,’’ he said.

The company said the clean power development would be equivalent to taking either 75 000 cars off the road or planting 390 000 trees, producing enough electricity to power about 42 000 homes with renewable energy.

The site was chosen because of the abundant solar resource, proximity to an existing electricity sub-station, adequate local electricity load with potential for growth, supportive landholders and low anticipated visual impact.

Mr Henderson said there was only select locations ideal for such developments, dependent on proximity to high-voltage connection lines.

A mediation session hoping to find some middle ground had recently been organised with a number of objectors to the project.

Following this session, the shire said a number of the detractors were satisfied with the project.

He said issues objectors raised were about the traffic impact during the construction phase and visual amenity.

Mr Henderson understood the significant footprint of the project and impact on the landscape, but said the council would protect the road network.

‘‘After that, these are relatively benign projects,’’ Mr Henderson said, anticipating life would ‘‘return to normal’’ following the construction phase.

Mr Henderson said the council was supportive of renewable energy projects and would do its best to address the concerns of neighbours.

‘‘When you’re used to looking at a dairy farm, and suddenly there’s solar panels, it’s a change in landscape,’’ he said.

‘‘We’ll do our best to minimise the impact.

‘‘We’re optimistic it’s a genuinely serious project. Subject to the planning process, we’ll do everything we can’t to support it.’’

This story by Thomas Moir in today’s Shepparton News - “Powering the region.”