REJECT RUBICON SOLAR PROJECT PETITION
The proposed 717-acre Rubicon Solar Project and 800 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is planned for a high-bushfire-risk area with steep terrain, only one road in and out, limited evacuation capacity, and no Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) designation. The biggest of its kind in Victoria! The Rubicon locality is one of the wettest areas in the state, with far more days of cloud cover than clear skies, making it unsuitable for large-scale solar projects. The site also borders the Rubicon River, which flows into the Goulburn Valley food bowl. On severe fire danger days, strong north-west winds would push any ignition from the BESS or solar infrastructure toward the township, two overnight school camps, public campgrounds, and heritage-listed State Forest areas—creating a chain of risks with the potential for rapid, catastrophic impact. The only safe mitigation is to prevent development in this location. VICGRID excluded this region from Victoria’s REZs due to high biodiversity, environmental sensitivity and low solar yield. Yet big companies can bypass REZ protections through a grid impact assessment. This is why stronger protections for non-REZ areas are essential—to respect community voices and safeguard people and land from inappropriate projects by Samsung or any future proponent. Say NO to the Rubicon Solar Project — and NO to any future renewable energy projects proposed in unsuitable, high-risk, non-REZ areas. Our land, our safety, and our community deserve real protection.