The Challenges and Concerns Surrounding Solar Factories: A Cattle Farmer's Perspective

TLDRSolar factories in Victoria are facing opposition from locals due to insurance concerns. Cattle farmers, like John Conroy, argue that the solar facilities make insuring their properties too expensive and risky. They believe that in the event of a fire, they could be liable for millions of dollars in damages. Despite voicing their concerns for the past year, the response from the government has been inadequate. The issue of insurance and the use of prime agricultural land for solar panels are other points of contention.

Key insights

💣John Conroy, a cattle farmer in Victoria, opposes the construction of a 566-hectare solar facility due to insurance concerns.

💰Insuring agricultural properties near solar factories is costly, with premiums ranging from $3,000 to $770,000 per annum.

🔥The high fire risk in Australia makes liability insurance for solar facilities a significant concern for neighboring farmers.

🌾The solar facility could pose a threat to agricultural areas, as it occupies prime land that could be used for farming.

🙅‍♂️Despite raising their concerns for over a year, the locals' complaints have been met with inadequate responses from the government.

Q&A

What are the insurance concerns raised by John Conroy?

—John Conroy argues that insuring properties near solar factories is expensive, and coverage beyond $100 million is unattainable. In the event of a fire, farmers could face millions of dollars in damages, leaving them bankrupt.

How much does the liability insurance cost for agricultural properties?

—Liability insurance for agricultural properties near solar factories ranges from $3,000 to $770,000 per annum, depending on the coverage amount. The high fire risk in Australia contributes to the high premiums.

What are the potential risks posed by the solar facility to neighboring farmers?

—The solar facility's presence on prime agricultural land deprives farmers of productive space for farming. Additionally, in the event of a fire, neighboring farmers could be liable for the cleanup, replacement costs, and loss of income.

How long has John Conroy been raising his concerns?

—John Conroy and other locals have been complaining about the issue for over a year. However, the government has not provided satisfactory responses, either failing to understand the concerns or resorting to government rhetoric.

What is the government's response to the insurance concerns?

—The government's response, as conveyed by Danny Pearson, suggests property owners seek multiple insurance quotes to find the best price. However, this overlooks the fact that the coverage required for a $750 million solar facility exceeds what can be obtained domestically.