A couple of articles of interest. Notice on second article they are calling for local comment re these concerns. Scroll to bottom of article on link and so far no comments.
http://www.meltonweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/solar-farm-proposed-for-bacchus-marsh/2603327.aspx Solar farm proposed for Bacchus Marsh
BY CLAIRE KNOX
26 Jun, 2012 12:00 AM
STATE and federal governments need to encourage smaller-scale community renewable energy (CRE) projects, according to sustainability leaders. They say promoting community-owned models could be the key to engaging the wider public in lowering carbon emissions.
Deb Porter, secretary of Moorabool Environment Group (MEG), said the group was looking at developing a community solar farm in Bacchus Marsh, with people purchasing shares.
"It would generate power for the whole community and could even generate tourism interest," she said.
"Power bills would be contained and power and control given back to the community. Not every roof is suitable for panels. Renters can't, for example."
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Parwan farmer and MEG president Kate Tubbs said she would give over parts of her land for a solar farm.
"Costs now are hitting people hard. Utility costs are getting to my mother. If she could put money into solar and get something back she would be very happy," she said.
Chief executive of Sustainable Regional Australia Leah Sertori said large companies had approached her to help them reduce energy consumption.
The Castlemaine-based group has set up two 300-kilowatt solar parks in Ballarat and Bendigo, which pump about 450 megawatt hours of power back into the grid each year.
"It's a myth that the only people supportive of CRE are tree-hugging hippies," she said.
"We have been working with manufacturing and heavy industry companies like Keech Castings, which makes mining industry tools in Bendigo, and they want to shift to renewables and community models.
"In my view, it can't be resolved between communities and [utility] companies. It needs government intervention; it would be a David and Goliath battle, an unfair battle."
Ms Sertori said the state government should look at community energy as a vehicle for promoting economic growth. "Environment policies aside, it makes good business sense," she said.
YOUR SAY: Call for study on health risks of Bacchus Marsh coal exploration Environment
MOORABOOL Environment Group wants the State Government to investigate possible health risks linked to Bacchus Marsh coal exploration.
>> Has the community been informed enough about coal mining? Tell us below.
Along with other groups that have mining exploration in their areas, MEG has asked the Department of Primary Industries what steps had been taken to deal with health/environmental impacts of coal and coal-seam gas projects.
Group secretary Deb Porter said the Freedom of Information request included any documents DPI considered before granting approvals for Mantle Mining's Moorabool exploration project and those relating to potential health or environmental impacts not released with the Mantle Mining work plan.
MEG president Kate Tubbs said: "As our health, our community and lands health is at stake, we hope that it is thorough and unbiased."
Environment Defenders Office (Victoria) Law Reform lawyer Michael Power said people were not getting enough information.
"Evidence is mounting the coal and coal-seam gas industries can have ... huge impacts on the environment and human health," he said.
"People have a right to know what those impacts are, and to be given a real say in how they are dealt with."
>> Has the community been informed enough about coal mining? Tell us below.
Mantle Mining, the company that sought to develop controversial coal projects near Victoria's Otway forest and the town of Bacchus Marsh is poised to win new exploration ground in the state's east.
The miner, whose Bacchus Marsh coal project spawned a series of protests last year, has been given priority status in the race to win two new tenements in the traditional coal mining areas around the La Trobe valley.
While not finalised, the priority status means Mantle is all but assured to win the tenements, which are located near the town of Thorpdale.
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The company plans to find brown coal that can be refined to a less carbon intensive level.
Mantle will be hoping to avoid the sort of anger it encountered last year when it was investigating a coal project in Victoria's Otway ranges.
That project was abandoned after community pressure, but Mantle is pushing ahead with similar plans near Bacchus Marsh despite community protests.
cheers B Rubes
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