It says before the powers were expanded more than 20 per cent of renewable energy project applications became “stuck” in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, delaying projects by up to two years, despite most projects later being approved.
The project highlights the difficult choices facing governments as they seek to meet binding emissions reductions targets, and is backed by the Albanese government’s Capacity Investment Scheme, which seeks to bring on renewable energy investments to replace ageing coal-fired power generators as they retire.
Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the Victorian government intended to continue expanding its rollout of renewables.
“We need to bring even more renewable energy projects online to ensure more Victorians can access cheaper and cleaner power – helping us get to our 95 per cent renewable energy by 2035.”
However, the decision to fast-track the project over the objections of landholders and environmental groups will infuriate opponents.
Little River Community Landcare has raised concerns the project could “change the view [of the You Yangs] completely”.
TV star and Little River resident Catriona Rowntree has also voiced her opposition to the Barwon Solar Farm, which is near her family home.
Catriona Rowntree has lived in Little River for more than 20 years.
“This has been the scene of so many incredible movies and productions, bringing in a fortune for the local government,” she said in an Instagram video last month.
“This [is an] incredible area [and] Vic Labor is now considering covering this whole area with a solar farm in its rush for renewables. They are considering all these completely wrong locations.”
The picturesque site is nestled near the foothills of the You Yangs, and stretches over 735 hectares, with the solar farm covering 505 hectares on Little River-Ripley Road.
A native vegetation removal report conducted for the environment department said rare and threatened species, including striped legless lizards and critically endangered grassland earless dragons, could be significantly impacted if more than 0.5 hectares of native vegetation was removed.
Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said: “The Albanese Government is bringing on more of the cheapest form of energy this decade, with our national grid now at more than 40 per cent reliable renewables.”
