Following a two-year permit assessment process, the Meadow Creek solar farm in Victoria has secured planning and environmental approvals.
This will see a 332MW solar farm and 1GWh BESS (battery energy storage system) built 27km south-east of Wangaratta, generating enough electricity to power 110,000 homes, with the BESS to enhance grid stability.
A planning permit for Meadow Creek has been granted by the Victorian Minister for Planning, along with authorisation under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) subject to various conditions regarding setbacks, waterways and construction management.
Meadow Creek worked closely with Taungurung Land and Waters Council (Aboriginal Corporation) – the Registered Aboriginal Party for the site’s Traditional Owners – during the permitting process. This saw a cultural management plan developed and Taungurung Land and Waters Council issuing their notice of approval.
The terms of the approval are said to strike a balance between “advancing renewable energy to meet State and Federal Government targets and safeguarding high-value agricultural land, biodiversity, and the environment”.
Detailed management and construction plans will now be developed for Meadow Creek, with community to be kept in the loop throughout the process.
“Meadow Creek remains committed to working with the community to deliver a project which benefits all,” the namesake company said. “This includes consulting stakeholders on a community benefits scheme, to reinvest a portion of the project’s returns locally.”
Meadow Creek development director Cameron Munro echoed similar sentiments.
“Meadow Creek solar farm is a vital project that will supply clean, stable renewable energy to over 100,000 Victorian homes,” he said.
“We’re also committed to delivering direct benefits to the nearest community, including reinvesting a portion of the project’s returns locally.”
Meadow Creek is a key cog in Victoria’s goal of achieving 95 per cent renewable energy supply by 2035. As of August, Victoria had achieved more than 42 per cent renewable energy generation.
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