A SOLAR farm is set for the Logic industrial hub after Wodonga Council on Monday night backed a 25-year lease for the $80 million project.
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Ratepayers stand to reap $352,000 in rent annually from the deal, which has an option for a further 24 years.
Mayor Anna Speedie lauded the outcome, which follows the council having spoken to Wodonga Solar Power Pty Ltd since last November.
“This is a great deal and this is a fantastic initiative that we’re going to see delivered to our city,” she said.
The solar farm will be built on two lots at Logic with one fronting Lady Franklin Road and the other on the corner of Tom Tanners and Eames Road adjacent to the railway at the Barnawartha North estate.
It is due to take 14 months to construct and result in more than 80 jobs with power generated from the 54 megawatt farm to be connected to an AusNet substation.
Council chief executive Patience Harrington said there would be a wide benefit.
“This solar farm will look at providing solar to businesses throughout the city, it is a fantastic beginning… and we’re really pleased with the lease terms,” she said.
Public feedback is now being sought on the lease for Wodonga Solar, a joint venture between S-Energy of South Korea and Melbourne consultancy Heliades.
Also on Monday night, the council approved five changes to speed limits across city roads.
Although there was a late win for the Westmont Aged Care Service on Baranduda Boulevard with the council agreeing to extend a proposed 60km/h zone a further 300-metres north-west past the entrance to the property.
It had been recommended to only cut the boulevard’s 80km/h limit for a 900-metre section from the edge of Baranduda to Boyes Road.
Former mayor John Watson moved the change, arguing it would add to safety.
Cr Speedie said it was a “no-brainer” with Westmont having 300 residents plus 188 staff and 50 contractors attended the centre daily.
“Common sense seems to say to me ‘why would you speed vehicles up when you have that kind of movement?’,” she asked.