Loddon Shire Councillors give green light for Bridgewater solar farm

Renewable energy engineering company BayWa r.e. lodged the application to develop a 55 megawatt solar energy facility in Burkes Lane, about eight kilometres east of Bridgewater.

Loddon Shire interim chief executive Allan Bawden said there was an objection in the week between the council's agenda being published and the January council meeting.

Mr Bawden said the councillors took the objection into account.

Read more: Loddon Shire Council to consider plans for a solar farm near Bridgewater

"There was nothing raised in the objection that hadn't already been considered," he said. "As a result, the council still supported the application but they gave a notice of determination to give a permit.

"That will give the objector 28 days to lodge an appeal."

It comes after Loddon Shire councillors approved a solar farm in Derby, west of Bendigo, at the December council meeting. That 100 megawatt solar farm will be built by AcEnergy.

"It's clear that the energy sector wants to invest in renewable energy," Mr Bawden said.

Read more: Baringhup solar farm approved by planning minister Richard Wynne after independent panel's recommendation

"The satellite coverage, flat land, and proximity to regional centres where the power is being consumed stands the reason why areas like this will attract interest from power companies."

Mr Bawden said the councillors would also listen to those objecting the planning applications.

"The nature of the objections we have seen are not against solar farms," he said. "Generally it's around whether it will impact farming or if their farming will impact the solar farms.

"There are very legitimate questions being raised. These questions will help us learn what the impacts are and how to better manage them."

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