26/08/2025
Hi everyone,
As you probably know by now, the permit approval for the Ballantine Solar Facility came through on Wednesday. While the permit has some conditions, it unfortunately misses many of our big concerns, particularly about fire water requirements and containment. Plus, the East Gippsland Shire's issues were completely ignored—no Environmental Effects Statement required and no mention of the housing pressure for temporary worker accommodation.
This approval is both a blow and a letdown, though it’s not entirely surprising. It really makes you wonder what it would actually take for them to reject an application for a renewable energy facility, especially considering our current energy situation and the upcoming state election.
At this point, it's tough to see the path ahead, but one thing is clear: we need to keep making noise.
Government and industry should be taking our concerns about the location seriously and consider proper compensation if they push forward with this site. The right of appeal via the VCAT pathway was removed in March 2024 to fast-track these projects, so that is not likely to be an option unless we can raise it as a human rights issue.
In the coming weeks, we've got several interviews lined up with ABC at local, state, and national levels. We need to boost our media coverage further, so if you have any contacts that could help, please let me know ASAP.
Let's stay positive and keep fighting for what's right.
