A small Central Victorian community is one step closer to seeing its solar farm dream realised.
The community of Newstead, 140 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, finally has its 10-megawatt renewable project open for public feedback after it was first raised at a community meeting in 2006.
The application for the project, estimated to cost about $12 million, is before Planning Minister Richard Wynne.
Applicant Don Culvenor said three megawatts of electricity would generate enough power to cover the town's output.
"The 10 megawatts, in a sense, is a capacity greater than what we need internally," he said.
"We need about two to three to satisfy our community needs."
All residents under the sun
The group wants to be able to provide affordable electricity for renters and those struggling to pay power bills, as well as those interested in connecting solar power to their homes.
"I mean, if you can't afford to put panels on your roof you get no benefits, and that seems socially inequitable to us," Mr Culvenor said.
"That's one of the particular attractions of our model — it shares the benefits broadly."
Mr Wynne's decision is not expected until the end of next month at the earliest, but Renewable Newstead said if it was successful it would look for a business partner to build and manage the solar farm.
"But we want to leave scope for the partners," Mr Culvenor said.
"If there is a benefit to scale available, we want to make sure there is sufficient room for those benefits to be gained."
The way of the future
The release of the project for public review coincides with the local council opting to become a net-zero carbon emissions municipality by 2025.
Neighbouring local government Macedon Ranges is aiming for 2030, while Greater Bendigo is looking to 2036.
Mount Alexander Shire Council Mayor Christine Henderson said having a "net" target meant it would offset the carbon dioxide emissions it creates.
"Number one is our electricity," she said.
"We've got this very exciting local government power purchase agreement that is being worked on by 48 councils.
"It's a buy-in group to buy renewable energy on the market.
"Because we're such as big consortium, we can actually get a decent price, which will make it as cheap as coal-powered electricity."
The council is also aiming to reduce emissions from its four buildings in Castlemaine, transition street lighting to LEDs, and use electric vehicles.
