Colbinabbin pushes back against proposed Cooba Solar Farm on 'some of the best farming country in Australia'

The local council is calling Colbinabbin "the up-and-coming Barossa Valley", but residents fear their vineyards might be overshadowed by a large solar farm.

The Victorian government is considering an application for the 665-hectare Cooba Solar Farm, which proponent Venn Energy said could power 180,000 homes.

Colbinabbin residents and the Campaspe Shire Council said the development would cover prime agricultural land with eight-metre-high solar panels.

The community is pushing back against the proposal because of its location, with residents fearing the solar farm could change the renowned grape growing region's microclimate.

"We are not against renewables. We have projects being built, right as we speak, in our shire," Mayor Rob Amos said.

"It's a great place for those to be considered, but they need to be put in the right spots.

"This solar farm is being put right in the middle of the Mount Camel wine region."

'Heat island effect' concerns

The proposed site, which is currently farmland, is surrounded by vineyards and wineries in the renowned Heathcote grape-growing region.

John Davies is one of the proprietors of Colbinabbin Estate, opposite the proposed development.

He is concerned the solar farm, which he says would be about eight times the size of his estate, would change the microclimate of the grape growing region.

"We're very concerned there's going to be a heat island effect of such a large solar facility," Mr Davies said.

"All of our neighbours that are growing grapes and making wine have the same concerns.

"The developer, Venn Energy, just denies there's going to be any change."

Mr Davies believes it was a bigger issue than Colbinabbin.

"We believe the area they've identified to put in the solar farm is some of the best farming country in Australia," he said.

Viticulture and tourism preferred

Council is asking the Victorian government to work with them to identify an alternative site within the shire where the impact on prime agricultural land would not be as significant.

"Tens of millions of dollars have been invested in this area over the last 20 or 30 years," Cr Amos told ABC Central Victoria's breakfast program.

"We call it the up-and-coming Barossa Valley. It will continue to grow, and we want that to continue for our shire into the future.

"We would invite the government to come and talk to us and let us help them work out another spot for this solar farm."

Residents have started an online petition calling on the state government to reconsider the application, which has more than 800 signatures.

Venn Energy has been contacted for comment.

Government defends planning process

A decision on the project rests with the state's planning minister as part of a fast-tracked assessment pathway for renewable energy projects.

Residents feel the process gives them little opportunity to provide input, or to appeal the minister's decision.

"We believe that if we had our day at court in VCAT … if we had the right to appeal, based on [the government's] own planning guidelines, this would be knocked out of the park," Mr Davies said.

"But because it's a political decision, and the government is behind on their renewables targets, the minister might just completely ignore our concerns and just steamroll this project through."

In a statement, a government spokesperson said the planning application is being assessed and any proposal will be considered on its merits.

"Notice will still be given of all permit applications, and neighbours and community members will be able to have their say," the statement said.

"All submissions from community and council will be considered as part of the usual assessment of the application."