Energy | October 09, 2024

Nationals’ renewables plan will restore local voices

Today, the Nationals are making a stand to put locals first in the transition to renewables.

For too long, residents across the Lowan electorate have been denied a voice amid the renewables push from the Allan Labor Government and multi-national corporations, which has included the government fast-tracking approvals for projects near Stawell and Mortlake.

Member for Lowan and Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Emma Kealy, said a future Nationals and Liberals Government would guarantee affected residents had a say over renewable energy projects.

She said the Nationals and Liberals’ Regional Energy Development Policy would reinstate the right of appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal – which Labor withdrew earlier this year – ensuring community voices were heard in the planning process.

It will also:

  • Ensure major transmission and large-scale wind and solar generation projects face a rigorous and independent planning panel assessment
  • Institute a default 2km buffer zone around proposed wind towers to minimise the impact on residential properties and local communities
  • Ensure lower-emission generators, high-voltage transmission lines and large-scale battery owners are required to comply with all relevant bushfire overlays
  • Revoke planning scheme amendment VC261, instituted by Labor to strip local communities of planning powers over high-voltage transmission lines
  • Advocate to the federal government that any compensation received by landowners for hosting major transmission lines, or for impacts caused by such projects, is exempt from taxation
  • Develop principles that ensure overhead lines adhere to strict setback requirements to minimise visual and environmental impact

Ms Kealy said the policy would be a breakthrough for regional communities, including those impacted by the proposed Campbells Bridge Wind Farm, Mortlake Energy Hub – a combined solar and battery facility that Labor fast-tracked approval for only days ago – and the Joel Joel battery project, which will be the biggest of its kind in Australia.

The latter project was approved by Labor in just nine weeks, which blindsided the local community and Northern Grampians Shire Council.

“Our proposal restores the balance between the roll-out of renewable energy and the changes to transmission networks,” Ms Kealy said.

“We support the transition away from coal, however this must occur in close consultation with regional communities.

"A Nationals and Liberals Government will reinstate the third-party appeal rights that Labor has stripped from regional communities because it is unfair and anti-democratic to deny those who are directly affected by these major projects from having a say.

“We will also instate a bond system – something that already operates in the mining sector – to guarantee that developers ensure all decommissioned projects are fully cleaned up and restored.

“Our policy will also protect the community from dodgy operators who, for their own personal gain, want to get approval for projects then flip them to buyers, unknown to the community.

“The Nationals and Liberals will always put local communities first.”

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