The request to council to enter into a voluntary planning agreement (VPA), rather than be required to give a contribution under legislation if CWP’s 200 megawatt farm is approved, would result in council receiving $2 million over 10 years.

Councillor Denise Osborne raised concern outright that entering into a VPA would send the wrong message to the community and be preemptive of approval or denial of the project, and put forward a motion to defer a decision until that occurred.

Environment and planning director Colin Kane said if council signed the agreement they could still object to the development when the approval process through the state government gets underway.

“The company has just been given their terms of reference they have to progress to actually make the application and once that is available, there’s community information sessions they’re required to hold,” he said.

“My feeling would be it’s at least midway through next year (that the project is approved or not).

“From my research, many councils have not received a payment … and I think the offer from CWP of one per cent, in light of what other councils have negotiated, is a very good offer.”

While other councils have a policy on agreements like this, Mr Kane said Greater Hume did not and this was the first one like it they had considered.

Cr Tony Quinn put forward an alternative motion to put off voting on the agreement, but until the February meeting following a workshop councillors will take part in.

The session will look at the implications of solar farms in the shire – which a group of residents have raised recently – the revenue they may bring in and how council might spend any contributions received.

Cr Annette Schilg, while not speaking against the motion, made the point council was in a rare position.

“They’ve given us the opportunity to create a VPA whereas my understanding is other companies around the district at the moment haven’t necessarily done that,” she said.

“We have a chance here atleast to put some conditions in, however way it goes.”

Cr Quinn’s motion was supported 6-1 with Cr Osborne voting against and Cr Heather Wilton absent.

CWP Renewables has proposed a contribution equal to one per cent of the capital investment of the Glenellen solar farm be paid to council over 10 years.

The company has requested an amount of that money be set aside for a new multi-purpose hall in Jindera.

Preliminary design plans have been prepared for the 1810 square metre building, that would be constructed around a basketball or netball court. 

A quantity surveyor’s report will now be prepared to determine the cost, before council seeks feedback and grant funding.