Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Dowling, for your first in what will no doubt be many very well written questions. Last month, I was pleased to announce the approval of a solar farm in Bothwell, just north of Hobart—in the electorate of the new member for Lyons, the outstanding Rebecca White. The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 44,000 tons of carbon dioxide per annum, which is equal to more than 450,000 trees being planted. It will also deliver economic benefits to the region, supporting more than 300 direct jobs in both the construction and the ongoing management phases. This was the 88th renewable energy project approved since the Albanese government came to office in 2022. In the four weeks since that announcement, we've approved a further four renewable projects.

Today I am pleased to announce the 93rd. The Summerville Solar Farm will be located in the Richmond Valley, 60 kilometres south-west of Lismore in northern New South Wales. It will generate enough energy to power 36,000 homes. It features 215,000 solar panels and a battery energy storage system with up to four hours of storage capacity. This project is a great example of good design and site selection, leading to fast approval times. In this case, this project was approved within 30 days. A key factor in this is the plan to maintain cattle grazing on the land, demonstrating once again—I know it's hard for the National Party to accept this—that there are ways for renewables and agriculture to work together.

I know senators might be thinking, 'The Richmond Valley near Lismore—which electorate is that in again?' I can inform the Senate it's in the seat of Page, home to the deputy leader of which party? The National Party. While the Nationals and Liberals continue campaigning against renewables and net zero, Labor is delivering the energy, the investment and the jobs that our regions are crying out for.