Wangaratta Chronicle 260124

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FRIDAY, January 26, 2024

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HONOURED W WELL-KNOWN Wangaratta local Maxine Webb has made lo the Order of Australia Medal th honour list on Australia Day h for her outstanding service to fo visual and performing arts, vi and the community. a Her story is on page 2. H PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

Clubroom expansion takes shape Page 7

Hot rods a family affair Page 11

Athletes set for Sports Carnival Sport

Not on our land

MORE than 150 people have turned out in support of a Bobinawarrah community group’s continued efforts to fight a proposed 566ha, $750m solar farm development at Meadow Creek. A community meeting held outside the Bobinawarrah Hall on Tuesday attracted up to 170 supporters from inside and outside of the district as well as Melbourne media group representatives, as efforts

the solar farm Solar S l di dissent continuing i i g to ggrow at M Meadow d C Creek k against development to Minister BY RYAN MALCOLM rmalcolm@ nemedia.com.au

to repel the construction of a solar facility on “prime” agricultural land ramp up. Meadow Creek Agricultural Community Action Group (MCACAG) member Jess Conroy said it was pleasing to see so many people rallying behind the

group’s plight, with local and state government representatives also in attendance. One Nation MP for Northern Victoria, RikkieLee Tyrrell spoke to the crowd, weeks before her bill aiming to place harsher restrictions on solar farm developments returns to parliament, while Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy and Rural City of Wangaratta

Mayor Dean Rees were also in attendance. “Our original meeting had 80 (attendees), our pre-Christmas meeting had 100 and then this meeting it’s gone up to 160 or 170, so it’s gaining momentum,” Ms Conroy said. “All of the community were seated around or standing.” The Meadow Creek site has been prioritised as part

of the State Government’s focus on solar energy due to its proximity to existing powerline infrastructure, however, MCACAG has raised serious concerns about the risk of building solar infrastructure in fire and flood-prone areas, as well as the potential for lasting impacts on agriculture in the area. Cr Rees said he had commenced advocating

for Planning Sonya Kilkenny. “You could see the strong vibe in the community that they’re very anti- this solar farm, not solar farms in general or solar power – they’re just anti taking up valuable farmland that is probably in the top five areas for grazing and cropping in Victoria, if not Australia,” he said. ■ Continued page 5

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