Getaway star Catriona Rowntree slams ‘secretive’ plans for huge renewable energy project near her home turf

Getaway star Catriona Rowntree has threatened to “get political” over what she claims are the state government’s “secretive” plans for a huge renewable energy project near her historic Little River farm, in an iconic film location.

TV star Catriona Rowntree has slammed the Victorian government over its plans to destroy Little River.

Rowntree says she’s heard nothing after seven months when she first drew attention to the

region and “secretive” plans to build a massive renewable energy battery project on 770 hectares of land at the base of the You Yangs Regional Park, just outside Geelong, and next to her farm.

Now she says the government is targeting Mt Rothwell.

Catriona Rowntree on her property at Little River where a solar farm is to be built next door and close to the You Yangs. Picture: Brad Fleet

“Welcome to beautiful Mount Rothwell in Little River,’’ she says in a video posted to Instagram.

“This is actually the no. 1 film location in Victoria. This has been the scene of so many incredible movies and productions, bringing in a fortune for the local government.

“This incredible area Vic Labor is now considering covering … with a solar farm in its rush for renewables.

“They want to put a lithium facility in a fire zone.

“What did Little River ever do to the Labor government? I don’t know why you keep picking on us.”

The Getaway host implored people not to vote for Labor, instead to vote for Steve Murphy in the Werribee by-election.

Little River TV star Catriona Rowntree has slammed the proposed project calling it ‘the dodgiest deal ever’. Picture: Supplied

“Has it come to this? Do I have to get political to get someone to notice the region that VIC Labor wants to destroy? Well, after hearing nothing for nearly 7 months from them, l’ve no choice … VOTE FOR STEVE MURPHY FOR THE WERRIBEE BY-ELECTION!

“He actually took the time to visit the area Labor wants to cover in solar panels and batteries.

“Mt Rothwell is just near the fire zone Labor wants to build a massive lithium facility! @jacintaallanmp where are you? Why do you want to ruin what is the Number 1 film location in Victoria? Why won’t anyone from Victorian Labor stop this?”

Picture: Brad Fleet

Rowntree said the government was causing stress to her community and “should be ashamed”.

“@liberalvic Thankyou for caring about our #westerncommunity @filmvic apologies for the crap video edit! #nottherightsite,’’ she added.

In August last year Rowntree said residents had been blindsided by the plan to build the Little River Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

She described it as the “dodgiest deal ever” and said she felt like her community was “always fighting” something.

“We’ve had the detention centre, the freight terminal, the incinerator, it’s just relentless,” she said.

Originally published as Getaway star Catriona Rowntree slams ‘secretive’ plans for huge renewable energy project near her home turf