THE last rally against the Meadow Creek solar facility prior to objections closing will be held on Thursday, 22 May at 10am, meeting at the Oxley General Store.
Meadow Creek Agricultural Community Action Group is calling on the local and regional community to unite against the proposed 566-hectare solar facility on agricultural land.
The group is holding a rally that will have Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy, One Nation MP for Northern Victoria Rikkie-Lee Tyrell, Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant, and Deputy Mayor Harvey Benton as guest speakers.
A convoy will then make its way from Oxley to the site of proposed facility and finishing at Bobinawarrah Hall.
The planning permit has already attracted 420 objections and submissions to the application that closes on 10 June.
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A major factor in the uprising is the Victorian government’s scrapping of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) process for objectors on all renewable energy facility applications in Victoria.
This is a right that has historically been attached to planning issues.
However, if the government makes a decision to refuse the permit, group member and nearby landowner Jess Conroy said the proponents still have 28 days to appeal the decision via VCAT.
“It’s a major disappointing thing that the proponents can actually go to VCAT, but if we lose we have to take the environment minister to the Supreme Court only on ground of policy and procedures, it can't be about the merit of the decision made,” Ms Conroy said.
“If we lose we have to go to the Supreme Court and pay all the costs as well, it’s so unfair.”
The application has been delayed as it triggered a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act due to the endangered Sloane’s froglet, critically endangered Regent honeyeater, and the vulnerable Murry cod which habitat the area.
“The EPBC Act requirements were given to the proponent and they needed to resubmit the application as to how they’re going to mitigate the risks to these species of significance," Ms Conroy said.
“Ideally they should have, if they cared about the community, answered all of our concerns about flooding, traffic impact through Oxley, the intersections, and the roads. but they haven’t done any of that as it’s best practice, but they’re not required to.
“The group hasn’t heard from the proponents in eight months, they still won’t meet with us.”
The new environmental impacts document has been re-submitted and the group has members, who work in the field looking over the updated version before the new closing date for objections.
Mr McCurdy said the people of Meadow Creek are fighting hard against "a rampant dictatorial Labor Government in Spring Street".
"They are fighting for our environment and our farmers who can no longer afford to be steamrolled on the altar of Jacinta Allan’s inner city agenda," he said.
"Renewable energy is important, but it needs to be done right.
"This community is not the right place, and I will be standing side by side with these hardworking locals protecting our most fertile farmland."
For more information on the group's campaign visit www.meadowcreeksolar.com.au or call John Conroy on 0427 273 892.
