Two more renewable energy projects get fast-tracked approval

A 700,000-panel solar farm in central Victoria and a major BESS in the North East have been approved despite vocal local opposition to both.

The Cooba Solar Project at Colbinabbin has been approved by the state government. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Two of Victoria’s most controversial renewable energy projects have been approved by the state government despite vocal local opposition to both.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny on Thursday fast tracked the approval of the Cooba Solar 500MW solar farm in Colbinabbin and a lithium battery energy storage system in Dederang.

Venn Energy’s $600m solar farm at Colbinabbin, located 57km east of Bendigo in central Victoria, is projected to power about 210,000 homes annually, with 700,000 panels across the 1147ha site.

A 300MW battery energy storage system, which is estimated to have the capacity to meet evening peak demand for about 100,000 homes, is also part of the project.

In December last year the Campaspe Shire agreed with its own officers’ recommendation to the state government to reject the project.

“Campaspe Shire Council are extremely disappointed by the decision made by the Minister for Planning to approve the Cooba Solar Farm,” mayor Daniel Mackrell said following Thursday’s approval.

“Council and the community raised significant concern in relation to the suitability of the site for the proposal and the impact the solar farm would have on productive agricultural land.

“Council is deeply concerned about the long term impacts the Ministers decision will have on the community and the inability to review the decision only heightens this.

“Disappointingly this decision has been made when the State Government is undertaking public engagement on the Draft Victorian Transmission Plan which seeks to provide strategic guidance on where renewable energy facilities should be located.”

Last year all 17 vineyards within 10km of the proposed solar site urged Ms Kilkenny to reject the application for approval due to concerns the development will affect the region’s microclimate, tourism, population growth, land values, and insurance premiums.

Paul Ingram, John and Sharon McEvoy, Chris Hicks and Mick Fisher-Smith were against the development of the 400MW BESS near Dederang. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Meanwhile, there has also been fierce opposition in Victoria’s North East to Mint Renewable’s 400MWh battery energy storage system in Dederang, which has also received fast-tracked approval from the state government.

The project is estimated to have the capacity to power 69,000 homes during times of high demand.

In early 2024 the state government implemented regulations which allow renewable projects to receive fast-tracked approval, removing the planning panel process and third-party appeals at VCAT.

The state government said more than $4bn worth of renewable energy investment across 15 projects have been approved since the changes were made.

“Through this pathway, we’ve fast-tracked enough renewable energy projects to power more than half a million Victorian households with cheaper and cleaner energy,” Ms Kilkenny said.

Originally published as Two more renewable energy projects get fast-tracked approval