Mount Alexander Shire Council has approved Don KR Castlemaine’s application to build and install 9,400 solar panels on 26.977 hectares of farmland adjoining the factory.
The council received six objections relating to native vegetation removal, the use of farming-zoned land for industry, the use of barbed wire fencing, and noise concerns.
While plans have been altered to reduce tree removal, the development will still require the removal of five large and 12 small trees.
A Flora and Fauna survey, commissioned by Don KR, considered the vegetation to be in poor condition based on a high ratio of exotic species (13) compared to native species (19) found on site.
As part of the proposal Don KR is required to undertake seed collection from trees to be removed, propagate seeds, undertake replanting works on site, and install nest boxes for Powerful and Barking Owls, Honeyeaters/ Parrot, and Brush-Tailed Phascogale.
Once the facility has been constructed the land surrounding the panels will continue being utilised for grazing, no longer requiring barbed wire fences.
The solar panels will generate 3.5MW and are estimated to supply approximately 25 per cent of the site’s power.
At last week’s meeting of council Cr Gary McClure stated that the proposal will be good for Castlemaine, despite the removal of vegetation, particularly with work undertaken by Don KR and their consultants to reconfigure the proposal in order to reduce tree loss.
“It’s going to be a good outcome for the climate change emergency,” Cr McClure said.
Cr Tony Cordy agreed the project would be fantastic, particularly given the number of jobs dependent on the facility.
“Okay, there’s some native vegetation going to be lost,” Cr Cordy said.
“But on balance, the project is very much an environmental project with substantial investment by the company.”