Farmer Warns of Fire and Insurance Costs as $750 Million Solar Farm Moves Next Door

Cattle farmer John Conroy says his property will soon neighbour a massive solar and battery farm and is concerned about the ramifications of an accidental fire.

The Meadow Creek Solar Farm at Meadow Creek, near Wangaratta, is in the lower King Valley on a property owned by the Milano family.

The reported $750 million, 566 hectare, 332 megawatt solar farm, and 250 megawatt battery energy facility, is slated to cover the size equivalent of about 280 MCGs.

The Allan government released a statement in November which said the fast-tracked solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) would be able to power about 140,000 homes, courtesy of its Development Facilitation Program (DFP).

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny added that since the DFP was expanded to include renewable energy projects last year, the state Labor government has unlocked more than $7.8 billion worth of investment across 22 projects.

She said this will create more than 3,000 new jobs in construction and operations.

“Our fast-tracked pathway has unlocked nearly $8 billion worth of investment into renewable energy projects, helping provide cheaper and cleaner energy to hundreds of thousands of Victorian households,” Kilkenny said.

However, in Meadow Creek, Conroy said over 500 local residents and ratepayers have objected to the proposal.

“There’s been a lot of heartache. It’s all people have had on their minds,” Conroy—also a Meadow Creek Agricultural Community Action Group spokesman—told The Epoch Times.

“We’ve got this magnificent area. We’re in the King Valley. It’s a water catchment.

“It’s strategic agricultural land. It’s absolutely stunning country, and they [the Allan government] are thinking they’re going to come in and cover it as a massive industrial site with lithium-ion batteries in amongst it as well.”

Conroy has concerns about potential fire risks from the proposed renewable energy site, which will neighbour his family’s cattle farm.

“It’ll burn, there’s no doubt about it,” he said.

“And then you’ve got toxic waste running off it when the flood comes through.”

Conroy also said the project could leave his property near-uninsurable.

“We’re going to be uninsurable as well. We’ve got a $20 million liability cover and we’re a large landholder in the area,” he said.

“We’ll have a [$750] million facility next to us and we can’t cover it.”

Insurance coverage for $50 million would cost about $30,000 a year, with $100 million in coverage worth more than $50,000 a year, making the expense unaffordable for many family farms.

One Nation’s state member for the Northern Victoria Region, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, believes the concerns of her farming constituents are being ignored.

“They’re [Allan government] not listening. Once we lose these farmers, that’s it. We’ve lost them,” she told The Epoch Times.

Conroy’s experience comes as one New South Wales (NSW) community demands action from a renewable-energy company after a blaze broke out at Australia’s largest solar farm on Dec. 6.

Wellington North, operated by Lightsource BP, caught fire as lightning strikes and heat played havoc with NSW weather conditions.

Matter Raised in State Parliament

Victorian Nationals MP Gaelle Broad raised the matter of insurance in the state’s parliament Question Time.

Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson responded saying property owners should get multiple quotes from insurers to ensure they’re getting the best price available.

“They should also consider contacting an insurance broker for advice about their insurance needs. Insurance brokers can engage the international market to obtain suitable insurance for properties and lower premiums,” he said.

Conroy said this type of response from the Allan government was disappointing.

“You go along, do your work and pay your taxes. You employ people and keep the community fabric strong, contribute to sporting clubs,” he said.

“It’s all about staying strong for the next generation and creating leadership. And this government is just pulling the hearts out of people in our area.

The Epoch Times contacted Kilkenny’s office, the Minister for Climate Lily D’Ambrosio, and Labor Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes for comment.

Meadow Creek Solar Farm Responds

Meadow Creek Solar Farm said setbacks and protections to waterways were included in the project plan to address potential toxic waste runoff from the solar panels going into local water supply.

They also have “a range of insurance policies” in the event of damage or fire, Meadow Creek Solar Farm added.

“While base rates for insurance premiums are rising across the board, advice provided to us indicates that there is no evidence of these premiums being raised for people living near solar farms,” the company said.

“To further support our community, Meadow Creek Solar Farm’s insurance broker is available to discuss potential customised insurance solutions with neighbours, now that the project has been approved.”

Unstable Power Generation: Mayor

In a statement published on Nov. 6, Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant said the Meadow Creek solar and battery facility would have a significant impact on agriculture, tourism, the environment, water catchment, and the social fabric of her local farming and business community.

“What is worse, the Rural City of Wangaratta does not have appeal rights to VCAT; these were removed by the state government to help fast-track developer-driven projects,” she said.

“What is also frustrating is that this project is not even guaranteed to keep the ‘lights on’–the power generated will be intermittent at best.”