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.”

Tatura brings sustainability to the forefront

They say many hands make light work, a saying I believe rings truest in small towns and communities.

Some of the solar panels on top of Tatura Children’s Centre.

As I made the trip back to The News office from Tatura a few weeks ago, I started a mental checklist of the stories ready to be written for an upcoming issue of the Tatura Guardian.

One of the things I love about Tatura is the sense of community and pride of place.

Most conversations end with locals singing the praises of their lovely town and more often than not, these exchanges leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling in the pit of your stomach.

On this particular drive, I realised there was a certain theme surrounding my stories — sustainability and the environment.

I’m not sure if it may have Right: The first kit to begin Boomerang Bags in Tatura. been a coincidence or potentially a biased interest in this topic, but I decided it was important for me to celebrate and acknowledge the efforts of this wonderful community.

For example, did you know Tatura is the home of the first cafe in the Goulburn Valley to give up selling plastic water bottles and giving out straws and plastic lids on milkshake containers?

Coffee+ owner Michelle Keen simply made the decision one day after watching an ABC documentary and hasn’t looked back.

If anything, she’s pushing forward, initiating more changes to ensure her cafe is making the smallest impact possible.

The town is also home to Transition Tatura, a group hosting roadside clean-ups, a film festival and seminars, all with the intention of educating the community about the challenges and dangers of climate change.

This group is also another first for the Goulburn Valley.

It’s also incredible to learn that the introduction of Boomerang Bags or ‘Totes for Tat’ was established due to the efforts of four individuals taking the initiative to create handmade, reusable bags for the town.

Not only did the parties not know the others had also inquired, they have decided on an incredibly ambitious target to create more than 1000 bags for their town.

You’ll also find a food share program and the local nursing home predominately using produce from their vegie patches scattered around the facility.

Last but not the least, I was delighted to hear one of the local kindergartens had made the switch to solar with the intent of educating their students on sustainable practices.

I tend to get a little overexcited about these things and I’m sure I’ve lost a few people spreading my ‘greeny’ propaganda at this point, but I think it’s wonderful to see so many initiatives cropping up.

It’s time to further highlight these acts as the norm, with the hope of inspiring those with the ability to get on board.We have no other planet to live on, it’s best we take care of this one. 

● Story by Ashlea Witoslawski, a cadet journalist at The Shepparton News.