Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (10:04): This morning I tabled a petition with more than 1500 signatures opposing a proposed industrial-scale solar and battery farm in the Rubicon Valley. Residents are rightly concerned that the site is in a high-bushfire area. The site is surrounded by forest, with only one road in and one road out. There are two school camps and campsites nearby. The Longwood fire in January was dangerously close. Further, they are worried the development would damage the rural landscape, impact wildlife and tourism and place further stress on a community already concerned about the safety and loss of its way of life. I welcome reassurances from the minister that consultation will occur if a planning application is lodged, but that must be genuine consultation, not tokenistic.