TL;DR:
- The Victorian Government’s acceleration of renewable energy projects has been criticised for insufficient consultation with farming communities.
- VFF President Emma Germano highlights the potential negative impact on farmers’ livelihoods and the agricultural sector’s ability to produce food and fibre.
- The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) calls for better regulatory safeguards for landholders and proper planning processes for renewable energy projects.
The Victorian Government’s decision to fast-track renewable energy projects through accelerated planning approvals has sparked significant concern among the farming community. The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has voiced strong opposition to the approach, citing years of inadequate consultation with landholders who stand to be affected by these developments.
VFF President Emma Germano expressed frustration over the government’s handling of the situation, stating that the move disregards the potential impact on farmers’ livelihoods and the agricultural sector’s capacity to produce essential food and fibre. Germano criticised the government for ignoring community concerns, describing the fast-tracking process as a display of arrogance and a failure to listen genuinely to those affected.
The federation has long advocated for a fair framework to guide the transition to renewable energy, arguing that the current approach leaves farmers and regional communities bearing the brunt of the consequences. Recent protests by farmers in Melbourne underscore the depth of their desperation and the perceived lack of effective communication and consideration from the government.
While the VFF supports the shift towards a renewable energy future, it criticises the government’s lack of planning and regulatory safeguards for landholders hosting renewable energy infrastructure. The absence of such measures not only affects those directly hosting the infrastructure but also neighbouring properties that may experience material impacts.
The VFF’s main concerns include the lack of proper planning processes to ensure projects are appropriately located and equipped with necessary safeguards. The federation views the government’s recent actions as a further erosion of landholders’ rights rather than an improvement in the regulatory and decision-making framework.
As the details of the government’s announcement are further analysed, the VFF remains focused on understanding the implications for farmers and regional communities, advocating for a more balanced and considerate approach to renewable energy development in Victoria.
