News

Council to advocate for community on solar farm developments

By Benalla Ensign

Jul 9, 2026

Benalla Rural City Council will write to the Victorian Government asking to be actively involved in the planning framework for the proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone. Photo by Supplied

Benalla Rural City Council has said it will stand up for local voices on large-scale solar developments across the municipality, following an urgent motion carried at its council meeting on Wednesday, June 24.

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Under the motion, council has acknowledged concerns raised by the community and will advocate to planning and approval authorities that these views be properly considered in any assessment process.

Council will also write to Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, asking for the Benalla municipality to be actively involved in the planning framework for the proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone and seeking greater local input into future planning and approval decisions.

Councillors have agreed to carry out a review on July 15 to examine the issues, opportunities and community concerns linked to solar projects and battery energy storage developments, and to form a clear position of solar farms and battery development in Benalla Rural City.

Following that review, council will write to 15 government ministers, shadow ministers, local members and members of the Legislative Council, outlining the full range of community views and concerns about further solar farm and battery energy storage developments in the municipality.

Mayor Bernie Hearn said the community expected transparency and genuine consultation, yet there was growing concern that some solar and battery project developers were only presenting the information they wanted decision-makers to see, limiting meaningful community input and undermining confidence in the approval process

“Our community has told us loud and clear that they want a say on these projects, and we’re listening, but the issue here is that the people assessing the applications and making approval decisions about these projects are not listening to our community,” Cr Hearn said.

“This is about getting a fair go for Benalla Rural City. We want to make sure the people who live here aren’t left out of decision-making that affects their backyard.”

At the meeting, council also received a petition signed by 156 people opposing the Nioka Solar Project, including its battery energy storage system.

That petition will be presented to the council's Finance and Planning Committee on Wednesday, July 22.