Colbinabbin residents and the local council are calling on the Victorian government to reconsider plans to develop a solar farm on prime agricultural land.The government says any proposal will be considered on its merits and all neighbours and community members will be able to have their say.
Colbinabbin residents and the Campaspe Shire Council said the development would cover prime agricultural land with eight-metre-high solar panels. The proposed site, which is currently farmland, is surrounded by vineyards and wineries in the renowned Heathcote grape-growing region.He is concerned the solar farm, which he says would be about eight times the size of his estate, would change the microclimate of the grape growing region.
"We call it the up-and-coming Barossa Valley. It will continue to grow, and we want that to continue for our shire into the future. "We believe that if we had our day at court in VCAT … if we had the right to appeal, based on own planning guidelines, this would be knocked out of the park," Mr Davies said.