Solar energy facilities in irrigation districts
The Minister for Planning is the responsible authority for planning permit applications for solar facilities that are 1 megawatt or greater.
The Secretary of the Department administering the Water Act, which is the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), is a recommending referral authority for permit applications for solar energy facilities proposed on sites within irrigation districts. The Secretary will provide referral advice to the Minister for Planning on referred permit applications in terms of irrigation infrastructure asset management and future planning.
Solar Energy Facilities Guideline, October 2022
The Solar Energy Facilities Design and Development Guideline (2022) (Guideline) provides guidance on identifying suitable sites in irrigation districts and the importance of seeking assistance from DELWP early in the site selection phase of a project. The Guideline outlines information and decision criteria to ensure that solar energy facilities across Victoria are appropriately designed and located to support the achievement of Victoria’s renewable energy targets.
The Guideline states that ideally, a solar energy facility should be located to avoid land in a declared irrigation district that is serviced, or was serviced at 17 September 2019, by irrigation infrastructure managed by a rural water corporation, unless the infrastructure has been, or is planned to be, decommissioned.
The Guideline is supported by Clause 14.02-3S (Protection of declared irrigation districts) of the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPPs).
The Guideline can be found at the Victorian Government's Planning website, opens in a new window.
The role of rural water corporations
The Guidelines identify the relevant irrigation districts and the Rural Water Corporations (RWC) that manage the irrigation districts. GMW is the manager of the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District. The role of the RWC is to provide site-specific information to DELWP WCG on whether a proposed site is serviced by irrigation infrastructure that the RWC manages.
Pre-application service for proposed solar energy facilities in declared irrigation districts
A proponent is strongly encouraged to engage DELWP Water and Catchments Group early in the site selection phase of a project.
DELWP Water and Catchments Group will connect proponents with the relevant rural water corporation who can assist by providing initial site-specific information on whether a proposed site is within a declared irrigation district and serviced by irrigation infrastructure that the rural water corporation manages.
DELWP Water and Catchments Group can also assist proponents by providing advice (based on rural water corporation site-specific information) on appropriate siting considerations with respect to the Guideline and VPP Clause 14.02-3S Protection of declared irrigation districts.
Early engagement will contribute to appropriate site selection decisions which is essential to a project’s success.
To initiate this process the proponent should contact DELWP WCG at: solar.water@delwp.vic.gov.au.
Proponent enquiries received by the RWC will be redirected to DELWP WCG.
For further information please refer to the DELWP website: Solar energy facilities in irrigation districts (water.vic.gov.au), opens in new window.