Serious water risks exposed in Meadow Creek solar proposal

The Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy has welcomed Goulburn Murray Water’s (GMW) objection to the controversial Meadow Creek Solar Farm proposal, saying it confirms the deep environmental risks and echoes the concerns of local residents.

“Last week in Parliament I again raised the alarm about this project – and GMW’s formal objection makes it clear: this solar factory proposal is fundamentally flawed,” Mr McCurdy said.

Proposed for Bobinawarrah, 20 kilometres from Wangaratta, the 330MW development has attracted strong community opposition over its location on prime agricultural land and the risks it poses to water sustainability. GMW’s report confirms the proposal is not in accordance with EPA guidelines for onsite wastewater management and poses a high risk of offsite impacts, particularly to the Ovens River and the Wangaratta Special Water Supply Catchment.

“GMW’s assessment confirms what locals have been saying for months, that this project threatens the water quality relied upon by more than 30,000 people in Wangaratta,” Mr McCurdy said.

“If public submissions are closed, then they should be closed for everyone, not just locals. The process must be fair and transparent. This proposal would never pass the pub test.”

Mr McCurdy said the Allan Labor Government’s ‘renewables-at-any-cost’ approach is failing regional communities.

“We all support renewable energy, but not at the expense of farming, water security and common sense. The people of Dederang, Colbinabbin and now Bobinawarrah have been left to fight alone against inappropriate projects.”

“I’ll keep standing with my community – and I call on the Minister to finally listen and put regional people first.”

Labor can't manage the transition to renewables, and regional Victorians are paying the price.