‘Not in my backyard’: Solar farm spat grips Melbourne’s fringe

Residents on the city’s fringe are battling a business owner and clean energy giant over a planned solar farm they say will destroy “the magnificence of our horizon sunsets”.

David Ellis is supporting plans for a solar farm on his property, though his neighbours do not. Picture: David Geraghty

A heated legal battle has pitted a group of hobby farmers and locals against a clean-energy giant in a brawl over a solar farm on 40ha of picturesque green land on Melbourne’s northern fringes.

Developer Tetris Energy says its proposed solar farm and 4-megawatt battery is “relatively small” and will not be an eyesore on the vast, grassy plains at Toolern Vale, 40km northwest of the city.

A vocal group of residents disagree, claiming the farm will destroy “the magnificence of our horizon sunsets and it is completely incongruent with the local landscape beauty”.

Kylie Clark, one of six objectors to the proposed solar farm, said her family stood to lose nearly 20 per cent of the value of the property after they invested $3.5m in their rural lifestyle property and soon-to-be bed and breakfast if the development goes ahead.

According to documents filed with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Ms Clark said 46,000 solar panels would be surrounded by a compound of chain-mesh fencing.

The enclosure would be “unsightly” and the development would compromise the landscape where three ancient volcanic cones lie – Mt Cottrell, Mt Atkinson and Mt Kororoit – the documents read.

A solar farm located in the Northern Territory. Picture: Supplied

Five properties sit to the east and southeast of the proposed site, with one to the west and another to the north. They are mostly private dwellings, as well as a fencing business.

Despite objections from neighbours, owner of dog boarding kennel Dogdayz – and the land on which the farm is to be built – David Ellis is in favour and has consented to its development on his property.

“It is of very low visual impact, individual panels 2.1m high (which is) less than any farm shed,” Mr Ellis said.

“It is compatible with my existing business and agricultural operation. Once the solar farm is operational, we will be able to run sheep amongst the panels.”

Under the proposed plan, Mr Ellis’ horses will still be able to graze on a portion the land that will remain intact and with sheds behind his dog boarding business.

He criticised Melton Council for failing to meet him and said its handling of the matter was “troubling”.

“They have met with local objectors, a tiny handful of not-in-my-backyarders, but have refused to meet with me as the relevant landowner and ratepayer,” he said.

“Renewable energy projects like this are great assets to encourage investment and pollution-free generation. Melton should not try to duck its responsibilities to do its bit to tackle climate change.”

The site of the Toolern Vale solar farm. Picture: Google Earth

In their submission to the tribunal, Tetris Energy said the solar farm would produce energy equivalent to avoiding 28,222 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year and there would be a minimum set back of 30m from houses.

“The (Green Wedge Zone) allows ‘solar farms’ and a solar farm will necessarily look like a solar farm,” the court document read.

But Melton Council acting manager for planning services Steve Finlay said it would “compromise the scenic landscape value of nearby Mt Kororoit” and has formally objected to it.

“While council supports green energy sources, this proposal goes against state and local planning policies and strategies that aim to protect the green wedge and rural landscape,” he said.