PEOPLE living close to a proposed five megawatt solar farm are concerned about their amenity and worry the project could hinder efforts to attract tourists to the Harcourt area.
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Tetris Energy wants to install the 15,176 low reflectivity photovoltaic panels on land six kilometres north-east of Castlemaine, at 3040 Harmony Way, Faraday.
Developer Tetris Energy's facility would also include battery storage facilities.
John MacIntyre is a resident of the area and is among those who fear they would be able to see the facility.
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"It's quite a significantly sized proposal and it's within one kilometre of 15 properties," he said.
"It's in a valley, it's not in a flat area, so it's visible from further away. Some of those properties are quite close to the site, too."
People use the land for a mixture of farming and lifestyle, Mr MacIntyre said.
"The other main point is that the project would be slap-bang in the middle of Harmony Way, which is where there's been a concerted push to get Harcourt developed as a tourist destination for leisure activities, like cycling," he said.
"That's been quite a concerted push, so having a complex in the middle of it is not ideal."
Cyclists go up and down the road regularly over weekends and Harcourt has a number of bike and walking tracks in the area, Mr MacIntyre said.
"We've got wineries that are focusing on their cellar doors. There's two of them in Harmony Way and there is accommodation in the Harcourt area."
Mr MacIntyre said more consultation was needed to outline what the benefits would be for the community.
He said some residents were concerned about any noise from some of the equipment on site.
Tetris Energy told the planning minister sound would stay within acceptable limits.
It said most people using the road would be in motor vehicles, and that trees would help obscure solar panels that would be set back from the road.
Nearby vineyards and orchards would be at least 100 metres from any infrastructure, Tetris Energy said.
Victoria's planning minister is considering the planning application.
Mr MacIntyre said those who wanted more information could contact concerned community members at protectfaraday@gmail.com.
Tetris Energy's documents can be viewed at the planning department's website.
Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
