Note to those not so younger women sitting behind us at Kitty Flanagan's performance on Thursday, 6 November.

Yes, Kitty is funny and yes we could have done without your incessant (loud) commentary to that effect.

She is also extremely witty and so you want to follow where the joke is going rather than being distracted by raucous laughter (before the punchline).

Perhaps you had all enjoyed a few Proseccos before the performance and thought you were still at home, on the couch, watching Kitty on your phone but you weren't.

You were in a space, sharing the moment with others.

Remember that.

Jane Baker, Wangaratta

Thank you for supporting North East Ostomate Group

On behalf of the North East Ostomate Group I would like to take this opportunity in expressing our sincere appreciation for the article that the Wangaratta Chronicle ran on Friday, 7 November 2025 regarding our Ostomate Suppliers Day held on the 8 November at the Masonic hall in Wangaratta.

As we are a not for profit volunteer run group we are especially grateful for your assistance and we especially wish to thank Bailey and Jordan for their co-operation and excellent work in preparing the article and once again thank the Chronicle for its support and assistance which is very much appreciated.

Graeme Pitts, Benalla

Solar farm planning is a state responsibility

Recent comments about renewable energy developments, including the proposed Meadow Creek Solar Farm, raises the issue as to who has the rights to determine how solar energy falling on land is used.

Landholders have traditionally chosen to use the solar rays which fall on their land for agriculture, food, fibre, and beverage production.

In recent times there has been increasing options to also use solar rays to generate electricity by PV solar panels, or to host wind farms on agricultural land.

Both these options diversify and secure income from privately owned land, in times of seasonal variation.

Diversifying and securing a steady off-farm income makes good business sense.

Local government and the community also benefit from an expanded rates base and the availability of a Community Benefit Fund derived from the solar farm.

It has been a recent state government decision to adjust planning rules in the state’s business and community interests to fast-track renewable energy developments of solar farms (or wind turbines).

This change provides certainty to progress and attract investment in the energy transition uniformly across Victoria.

This is in everyone’s interests to ensure sustainable landscapes and communities.

The decisions about planning approvals for projects like this are made by state government, not the federal government.

It would not be possible (or appropriate) for Dr Helen Haines, our federal member, to intervene directly in the state’s planning process.

These planning laws are a state government responsibility.

However, Dr Haines has been active in improving the national laws to ensure communities are appropriately engaged in energy projects' planning and approved.

Dr Haines this month moved amendments to national environmental reforms to create stronger standards for community engagement and ensure better mapping of high-value agricultural land and drinking water catchments.

Better mapping of land for agriculture is relevant to Meadow Creek as it is high-value land which is subject to flooding and is in a water catchment.

Russell Sully, Wangaratta South

Solar farms are our contribution against global warming

That our Earth is warming at an alarming rate and that our carbon emissions must be reduced as a matter of urgency is well-accepted science.

It is also clear that action to limit emissions will incur costs.

Objectors to the establishment of the solar farm at Meadow Creek describe a variety of these costs.

Let us in the Wangaratta community accept them as our contribution to the devastating phenomenon of global warming and get on with supporting the Meadow Creek project.

Mayor Irene Grant states, “The wider community has voiced their devastation following the approval of the …Meadow Creek Solar Farm …”.

I have seen no evidence that this “wider community” extends to the majority of Wangaratta residents.

I for one am happy to shoulder my share of the costs of solar electricity generation as a move away from fossil fuels towards a cleaner planet.

Graeme C Rose, Wangaratta