Victorian renewable energy project approvals spark anger in Dederang and Colbinabbin

Permits for two renewable energy projects in regional Victoria have been approved despite community opposition.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny approved Mint Renewables' 400-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) at Dederang in the Kiewa Valley, east of Myrtleford.

The controversial project received strong objections from hundreds of community members with concerns about risks to amenities, the environment, and bushfires.

Dederang resident Sharon McAvoy said she was shocked by the decision.

"My initial reaction is shock, horror — gut-wrenching," Ms McAvoy said.

"I guess deep down probably we expected this to happen, because the state government is not listening at all to small rural communities like Dederang.

"They brush off the over 1,000 objections that people have written in.

"They brush off the petition to parliament of 1,300 signatures.

"What else are you supposed to do to fight a project? We have no voice."

Mint Renewables interim head of Australia Kim van Hattum said the company welcomed the decision.

"There is still a lot of work to do prior to the construction of the project," Ms Hattum said in a statement.

"We remain committed to community engagement and will continue to work hard to reassure the community and the authorities that our project can coexist safely and provide benefits to the local area and Australia more widely."

This is one of two BESS projects proposed for Dederang.

In March the Alpine Shire council passed a motion to submit a letter to the planning minister objecting the projects.

The council was contacted for comment but declined to make a statement on the decision.

Solar farm sparks fury
In Central Victoria the 500MW Cooba Solar Project permit has been approved to go ahead at Colbinabbin.

Residents have pushed back on the location of the project, which they say could alter the renowned grape-growing region's microclimate.

Concerns about bushfire risk and associated insurance costs, as well as heat impacts, have also been raised.

The solar farm is expected to be operational from 2027 with the aim of generating enough renewable energy to power 145,000 homes.

A BESS with a capacity up to 300MW is included in the plan.

John Davies has managed his vineyard at Heathcote for more than 25 years and says the decision has left him "stunned and gutted".

He said 271 objections had been made.

"I thought fact-based arguments against the state's planning guidelines would provide a compelling argument why this 500MW solar facility should be rejected," Mr Davies said.

Victorian renewable energy project approvals spark anger in Dederang and Colbinabbin - ABC News