After a two-year assessment period, the Meadow Creek solar farm in Victoria has received the necessary planning and environmental approvals to move forward.
This project will see the establishment of a 332MW solar farm, complemented by a 1GWh battery energy storage system (BESS), situated 27 kilometres south-east of Wangaratta. The facility is projected to generate enough electricity to power 110,000 households while the BESS will enhance the stability of the electricity grid.
Planning Permissions Granted
The Victorian Minister for Planning has awarded a planning permit for the Meadow Creek project, along with authorisation under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999), which comes with specific conditions related to setbacks, waterway management, and construction oversight.
Collaboration with Taungurung Land and Waters Council
Throughout the permitting process, Meadow Creek collaborated closely with the Taungurung Land and Waters Council (Aboriginal Corporation), who represent the Traditional Owners of the site. This partnership resulted in the development of a cultural management plan and the issuance of an approval notice from the council.
The terms of the approval aim to balance the push for renewable energy—with the goal of meeting State and Federal Government targets—while protecting high-value agricultural land, biodiversity, and the surrounding environment.
Next Steps and Community Engagement
As Meadow Creek moves forward, detailed management and construction plans will now be drafted, ensuring that the local community remains informed throughout the process.
“Meadow Creek is dedicated to collaborating with the community to create a project that benefits everyone,” stated the company. “This includes consulting with stakeholders regarding a community benefits scheme to reinvest a portion of the project’s profits back into the local area.”
Commitment to Clean Energy
Cameron Munro, the development director for Meadow Creek, shared this commitment: “The Meadow Creek solar farm is an essential initiative that will provide clean and stable renewable energy to over 100,000 homes in Victoria.”
He continued, “Our aim also includes delivering direct benefits to the nearby community through local reinvestment of some of the project’s returns.”
Meadow Creek represents a significant step towards Victoria’s target of achieving 95 per cent renewable energy supply by 2035. As of August, the state had already reached over 42 per cent in renewable energy generation.