Cooba solar project
Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (18:28): (1567) My adjournment matter this evening is directed to the Minister for Emergency Services, and it relates to the provision of solar farms, battery farms and related infrastructure. I note there is significant concern regarding a proposed solar farm at Colbinabbin from a number of different angles this evening. This is just one example from across the state that has been done extremely poorly, without proper consultation and without properly understanding the very real risks and consequences that can occur from an emergency management perspective. The action I seek from the Minister for Emergency Services is to work with other ministerial colleagues to ensure that more consultation occurs within approval processes so that farmers, landholders, interested parties, and yes, CFA volunteers and emergency services personnel have input into decisions relating to solar farms and battery farm projects. For example, in 2021 a fire occurred at Victoria’s Big Battery in my electorate. Once started, the Tesla battery fire spread to another battery. After three full days of burning, it was brought under control. Fire crews stayed around for an extra 24 hours and were on sharp watch to ensure that the fire did not reignite. What impact does this have on our already stretched emergency service workers? With more of these facilities around, what impact is it going to have across the state?
Multiple agencies were involved in the investigation, such as Energy Safe Victoria, WorkSafe Victoria, Victoria Police and the CFA. Similarly in my electorate, a huge battery farm was announced just a year ago to be placed in Melton. My colleague Mrs McArthur raised concerns last year, and she spoke about ACEnergy’s proposal in Little River, which locals only found out about via media. There are plenty more examples where locals who actually live and work in the area, within close proximity, have been kept largely unaware and almost completely in the dark in some instances. I am not against private individuals doing what they want on their land within the constraints of the law. Everyone should have the right to do that as they see fit. However, when there are significant projects that impact groups of people, it is incumbent on the government to ensure that there is at least an opportunity for those impacted by a decision to have input and genuine consultation. Colbinabbin, as many have mentioned, is just one example of where CFA volunteers and locals have not been fully consulted. I hope the minister listens, but I fear that the pleas from concerned locals are falling on deaf Labor ears.