Neighbours of the proposed Meadow Creek Solar Farm, in northeast Victoria, applied in Nov­ember for access under Freedom of Information to the project’s “assessment report”, sent by Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to Senator Watt.

The report is intended to inform the federal government’s decision on whether to give the $750m, 566ha, 332 megawatt solar farm and 250MW battery final approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

On January 7, Senator Watt’s chief of staff, Michelle Healy, responded to the request, revealing the minister’s office held two relevant documents, totalling 25 pages.

“I have decided to refuse access to the documents,” Ms Healy wrote.

“I have decided the documents you have requested are exempt under the FOI Act as they contain information which would, or could reasonably be expected to, cause damage to relations between the commonwealth and a state.”

RMIT emeritus professor of environment and planning Michael Buxton said the refusal exposed “secret deal-making … that makes a mockery of proper process for this project”.

“Minister Watt claims it is not in the public interest for people to know the Victorian government’s assessment of a project of public importance,” Professor Buxton said.

“This perverts the notion of ministerial responsibility by ­ignoring the rights of the community to know.




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