Solar or Shiraz? Community and MPs Rally Against Solar Farm in Heathcote Wine Region

Renewables Action Group leader says proposal has been rushed and not planned properly.

Solar panels are seen at solar farm on the northern outskirts of Canberra, Australia on June 15, 2022. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

A community group protesting renewables in the region have found allies in the local and state government.

John Davies, chair of the Colbinabbin Renewables Action Group opposes Venn Energy’s Cooba Solar Project slated for Colbinabbin in central Victoria.

According to the Venn Energy website, the Cooba Solar Project is expected to be operational from 2027 and will have a capacity of up to 500MW, which is enough renewable energy to power 180,000 Victorian homes.

It will also include a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of up to 300MW.

Davies says he has the support of Campaspe Shire Council, as well as a number of Victorian Liberal and National MPs.

“We’ve done our own review, and the Campaspe Shire Council has done its own review of their submission,” Davies told The Epoch Times.

Colbinabbin residents alongside Members of Parliament Annabelle Cleeland, David Davis, Opposition Leader Brad Battin, Wendy Lovell, and Campaspe Shire Councillors Paul Jarman and Tony Marwood at Victorian Parliament House. Courtesy of Colbinabbin Renewables Action Group

Cooba Solar Project is proposed to be built in the Heathcote wine region.

This region received its Australian Geographical Indication status in 2002, and it refers to the boundaries established by Wine Australia to confirm the unique characteristics of any wine district.

Davies said the council agreed that the proposed site is prime agricultural land and that the project is likely to have a significant impact on the land’s micro-climate, which would affect the surrounding farmers.

“The state government guidelines clearly state that it should protect prime agricultural land,” Davies said.

‘We Don’t Want Your Money’

Davies said Colbinabbin residents were offered a $10,000-a-year package if they supported the project, which was declined.

He said most residents would rather the project not go ahead.

Davies, who is also the proprietor of Colbinabbin Estate vineyard, said he and fellow local residents were also concerned about fire risks from the proposed battery facility.

The solar farm will reportedly cost $500 million to build, while the maximum public liability the farmers can receive is $50 million.

Community Visits Victorian Parliament

A section of the Colbinabbin community, including wine growers and farmers, attended the Victorian Parliament earlier this month to continue their fight against the proposed solar energy facility.

Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell asked the minister for planning, Sonya Kilkenny, to stop a permit to build the Cooba Solar Project because it allegedly breached planning guidelines to protect agricultural land.

She is on the same page as Davies, who said the soil quality in his region is some of the best in the state.

“The Campaspe Shire Council and all of the local residents have evidence that the soil quality in this particular location is some of the best in the state.”

It’s also connected to the Colbinabbin-Cornella Pipeline, which gives this prime agricultural land reliable access to water for irrigation.

“The state government planning guidelines say that the government should not approve of any solar development where it’s in a designated irrigation district,” Davies said.

“[The guideline] is completely black and white.”

Shadow Minister for Energy David Davis was among the other Liberal-National Victorian MPs who spoke out.

The shadow minister also shared his concerns on the impact on local industry including wine growers, tourism operators, and farmers.

Venn Energy’s Response

Venn Energy told The Epoch Times that there were “several inaccuracies” with the various claims made, and referred to information on its website.

“The site is in an area of excellent solar exposure,” the website states.

“The site is near an existing transmission line, allowing for easy connectivity to the grid.

“The site has already been largely cleared of native vegetation, and heavily disturbed by previous cultivation and cropping.

“The proposed layout allows for the minimal disturbance of native vegetation and wildlife.”

Venn Energy also said its project would remove the equivalent of 159,429 vehicles off the road per year, as well as the equivalent of 303,030 tonnes per year of burned coal.

The offices of Kilkenny and D’Ambrosio were contacted for comment.