Locals said they were not against renewable energy projects, but were concerned that proper consultation and assessments had not been completed.
More than 200 people attended the first meeting on Tuesday, May 5, followed by about 100 the next night.
Protect Dookie and the Goulburn Valley group spokesperson Jodie Fleming said the turnout reflected widespread concern.
“It just shows you how strong the community feels,” she said.
She said there were mixed views across the district, but opposition to development in the proposed zone was clear.
“Overall, the vast majority in the community are absolutely against this renewable energy zone,” she said.
While Mrs Fleming welcomed the opportunity for consultation, she said the meetings left residents frustrated.
“They say a lot of words, and they don't really say a lot at all,” she said.
“We asked for them to tell us the full truth, the full ugly truth of what we’re really looking at, we don’t want it sugarcoated.”
Local farmer Monica Sutherland echoed those concerns.
“You ask a direct question and they go around, they don’t just give yes or no answers,” she said.
Monica said residents repeatedly sought clarity, but were left frustrated by vague responses.
Dookie local and archaeologist Gaye Sutherland shared similar concerns about the process.
“I'm largely disappointed because I don’t feel that they’re being very open and transparent about what this means for our community,” she said.
Gaye warned the proposal could lead to broader development over time.
“It’s opening the floodgates once it gets in,” she said.
Residents raised concerns about the impact on highly productive farmland, as well as environmental and cultural values.
Gaye said the region’s soils were significant due to their age and composition.
“They’re Cambrian age, so they’re 500 plus million years old,” she said.
She said those conditions created rich red, volcanic soil.
The area is also culturally significant to Yorta Yorta people, with stone resources and archaeological sites recorded in the region.
Environmental concerns were also raised, particularly about threatened vegetation communities.
White box woodland in the area is listed as threatened, and Gaye said the community was already working to protect what remained.
“We’re really trying as a community not to lose any more,” she said.
Monica also raised concerns about how nearby developments could affect rural amenity, citing her experience living next to an existing solar farm.
“Every time I go outside, I can see it. It’s just a reminder every day,” she said.
Beyond visual impacts, fire risk and long-term land use were also key concerns for landholders.
“The fire risk is huge,” she said, adding that installations in farming areas created ongoing uncertainty.
For Ms Fleming, a key issue remains uncertainty about what happens next.
“I do believe they are genuinely listening and they are genuinely taking note,” she said.
“Whether any of it makes a difference … we have to believe that it will.”
Residents are now calling for more time in the consultation process and a clear timeline, saying they were given less opportunity to respond than other communities.
“You’ve chucked us in with no consultation at all,” Ms Fleming said.
“They’re talking about September and timelines … and they still won’t give us any days or dates.
“We’re not prepared to just stand and let them walk over us.”
The final open community session for Dookie is scheduled for Monday, May 11.
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