More than 50 tractors rolled through Benalla on Saturday, September 19 to show support for the No More Solar rally organised by the Goorambat and District Lobby Group. Photo: Meredith Tolliday.
Farm vehicles filled Benalla’s streets on Saturday, September 19 as they made their way to the showgrounds along with hundreds of supporters to protest the roll-out of large-scale solar projects in the area.
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The day was arranged by the Goorambat and District Lobby Group with support from No Nioka Solar and Protect Dookie and GV.
Before one tractor rolled through the Rose City on Saturday organisers had already achieved one of their two main goals.
The Victorian Government had scrapped the proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone after considerable pushback from local communities.
However, the protest was more broadly calling for the slowing of large-scale solar and battery projects in and around Benalla Rural City.
Goorambat and District Lobby Group member Jack Gall speaks at the No More Solar rally in Benalla on Saturday, September 19. Photo: Meredith Tolliday.
GDLG member Jack Gall said it wanted to get the message across that communities had not had a voice in these developments.
“Enough's enough,” he said.
“Communities are hurting. We're excluded from a lot of the process when it comes to these solar developments.
“Then there’s the environmental impacts and cumulative impacts, which are starting to take effect on our local area.”
Mr Gall said the support shown on Saturday was indicative of the communities’ frustrations.
A mix of farm vehicles, new and old, attended the No More Solar rally in Benalla on Saturday, September 19. Photo: Meredith Tolliday.
“It was a great roll-up, not just from farmers, but concerned town residents.
“We had 50 tractors, 25 trucks and 30-plus utes and farm vehicles.
“Even some local businesses joined in and came along with us through the rally.”
Mr Gall said organisers estimated around 600 to 700 people attended the protest.
Attendees included local politicians Annabelle Cleeland, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell and Wendy Lovell.
“We had some community members speak at the rally,” Mr Gall said.
Those included Mick Polworth, Libby Foubister, Lisa McCoy, local fire captain Paul Dingerman and Sam Burston.
“They spoke about everything from how this affects the price of land to the way that companies communicate with us and discuss the community impact and environmental impact.
“It’s all really around the fact that the government’s letting big companies do what they will and with no voice given to the local community.”
Mr Gall said the best outcome from the protest would be for Planning Minister Sonya Kilkennyto put a hold on any future solar development approvals.
“Local people aren't being protected and we need to be looked after,” he said.
“The REZ being cancelled was good news, if not a bit bittersweet.
“Benalla Rural City’s already got 15 developments with 3000 hectares of solar, which is just a ridiculous number of panels, tens of millions.
“And we have 1000 megawatts of batteries in the Benalla Rural City area.
“So the removal of REZ is great. It takes the spotlight off us a little bit, but there’s still a lot of issues in this area.
“Our biggest issue is just the amount (of solar developments) that have turned up and the way that the people that live beside these projects, whether they’re farmers or residents, are not getting a say and are not cared about.”
Those attending the Goorambat and District Lobby Group’s No More Solar protest brought along signs and banners. Photo: Meredith Tolliday.
Mr Gall said the three lobby groups involved would not rule out more protests in the future.
“Watch this space,” he said.
“It’s been a massive effort in the past three weeks to get this all together.
“On the Monday morning after the protest, we’re all probably catching our breath a little bit.
