More than 2000 paper signatures have been lodged on a petition, enough to automatically trigger a parliamentary debate.
The petition calls for the eastern Central North Renewable Energy Zone to be removed from the 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan, an end to cumulative development on bushfire-prone land, sensitive overlays and productive farmland, and rejection of the Nioka Solar Project.
The sold-out event, hosted by volunteer group Let's Get Rural, packed the Winton Café.
Around 100 locals came together for music, mateship and conversation.
An event spokesperson said it was a night that felt more like celebration than campaign.
“But underneath it, the message was clear,” the spokesperson said.
“The people of the Benalla LGA have had enough of telling the Victorian Government what this scale of development costs (in terms of) their safety, their land and their neighbours, and having it change nothing.
“That organising now centres on writing submissions to the Department of Transport and Planning, and for many it is daunting.
“Locals say they are overwhelmed wading through thousands of pages of technical documentation just to have their say.”
Glenrowan Providore owner, and local farmer, Matt Webster has built a platform to strip the complexity out of the process.
It is available on the No Nioka Solar, Goorambat Lobby Group and On Our Terms Facebook pages, or is available by emailing noniokasolar@yahoo.com or texting 0409 934 207.
Volunteers will be at Rambling Rose and Stella Stella on Friday, September 4 to help residents with submissions and answer questions about the projects.
“The frustration runs deeper than paperwork,” the spokesperson said.
“Three projects, West Mokoan, the Winton BESS and Winton Wresst, are being fast tracked, and locals say inconvenient facts are being overlooked to get there.
“The flora and fauna assessment on one of the applications relies on a 1970 sighting record to conclude the critically endangered growling grass frog is unlikely to be present, and has not been updated to reflect the species' release into the Winton Wetlands earlier this year.
“Locals say genuine engagement is missing, and concerns raised by residents and neighbours are not being addressed through the planning process.
“CFA volunteers first on scene if (these developments) catch fire still do not have the equipment to fight it.
“The Longwood fires were only months ago. Locals are asking if anyone in Spring St remembers?
“Frustration boiled over in parliament, too. Asked by state Member for Northern Victoria Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell whether she would visit the affected communities, (Member for Northern Victoria) Jaclyn Symes said she was ‘very familiar’ with the area, having grown up there.
“How is this listening? If the minister knows the area so well she should see for herself that these projects sit on flood plains, in bushfire zones, on habitat overlays for the critically endangered regent honeyeater and swift parrot, and across land of cultural heritage significance.
“Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy and Ms Tyrrell have both toured the sites and heard directly from residents. Locals are left asking why the minister can’t do the same.”
No Nioka Solar and the Goorambat Lobby group would like to thank the following businesses for their support
Winton Café and Events, Rambling Rose, Stella Stella, Bertalli’s Alpine Breads, Kellyland Glenrowan, Kate’s Cottage Glenrowan, 1880 Café and Takeaway Glenrowan, Glenrowan Bakery, Glenrowan Providore, Glenrowan Hotel, Creative Spirits Glenrowan, King Valley Popcorn, Taminick Cellars, Purdeys Jewellers, Benalla Toyworld, Benalla Rural Supplies, The Merchant Benalla, Christine Lay, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Terry White Chemmart, Rettkes Carrier Street Meats, Lionheart, Brosig Nordic Hair Spa, Pavlos Catering Nunn Street, Seed and Bloom Flower Store, Torah Hills Native Flowers, Green Pesty, Trewin Pumps and Irrigation, Peter Davis Rural, Benalla Mitre 10, Haymes Paint, Whites Stock Carriers, Thirsty Camel, Harry Brown, Park Street Pantry and Dookie Motors.
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