Proposed solar facility ‘does not stack up’

Wine growers in Victoria’s Heathcote district are “desperately concerned” over the potential impact of a proposed solar farm in the area.

Wine growers in Victoria’s Heathcote district are “desperately concerned” the proposed development of a 665ha solar farm and battery energy storage system will significantly impact the microclimate of the area.

Energy developer Venn Energy has lodged an application for the establishment of the Cooba Solar Project in Colbinabbin, with the 350MW solar facility and 300MW BESS to have the potential to power 180,000 Victorian homes with renewable energy.

John Davies has been running Colbinabbin Estate for 26 years, and leads the Colbinabbin Renewable Action Group against the proposal, and said he has been collecting evidence to show the impact that the development would have on the microclimate.

“Heathcote has developed a world reputation for quality fruit, and if you change the microclimate so there are warmer nights, warmer days, it will change our ability to grow the same quality grapes into the future,” he said.

“We’re not complaining about renewables. We recognise they are going to be a part of the future, and we support them … (but) there’s unanimous opposition to the project because it is in the wrong spot,” he said.

Landowner and farmer Claire Tuohey with Colbinabbin Estate Wine farm manager Colin Neate who's residence is within 150 metres from the proposed project site. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Aside from changes to the microclimate, residents have concerns the proposed solar farm will impact tourism, population growth, land values, and insurance.

A document signed by all 17 vineyards within 10km of the proposed solar site has urged state Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to reject the application for approval.

It is the latest development under Victoria’s “accelerated planning pathway” in which renewable projects can receive fast-tracked approval, removing the planning panel process and third-party appeals at VCAT.

“The state planning guidelines say that they shouldn’t be putting solar farms or developments in areas of agricultural importance,” Mr Davies said.

“We feel if we had our day at VCAT and we held the government to account on their own planning guidelines, they’d say this doesn’t stack up.”

The Weekly Times understands farmers adjacent to the proposed site have been advised the maximum public liability insurance available is $50m, which the Colbinabbin Renewable Action Group say is “totally inadequate”.

Claire Tuohey, who also runs a vineyard in the area, said it was a huge issue.

“If we cause a fire to ourselves, which can happen, and the fire gets away and gets into the solar facility we cannot insure ourselves,” Ms Tuohey said.

“To build facilities like that where people can’t protect themselves is wrong.”

Mr Davies expects the 28-day period of community consultation with the government to begin at the end of September.

People in the community with properties that are within one kilometre of the proposed project will be formally notified, with a notice also placed in the local paper.