Rushworth solar farm wins planning approval from Campaspe Shire

Councillors voted unanimously at a council meeting on Tuesday night to approve the plans for the 1000-hectare development near Rushworth.

The development is proposed site along Old Corop and Bedwell roads, north-west of the Rushworth township.

There would be 1.193 million panels installed at the site in two stages.

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Councillor Paul Jarman moved the motion to approve a permit, saying he believed the concerns raised by opponents could be resolved.

"While it's a large project for our community," he said, "it has been handled by our planning department to get the best possible result for our community."

Before voting on the plans, councillors heard from a series of objectors, as well as a representative of the developers.

They expressed concern about the effect of the development on surrounding properties and the management of the site once the solar farm reaches the end of its life.

But the applicant told the meeting communities had benefitted financially from other solar projects across the state.

The project was worth between $650-750 million, the meeting was told.

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