Community voices heard on Central North REZ

10 September 2026

Community voices heard on Central North REZ

The Labor Government has finally taken the common-sense approach of abandoningthe proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), following months ofstrong community opposition across the region.

Communities in the Euroa electorate, including Devenish, Goorambat, Winton North, Glenrowan West and Colbinabbin, were among those facing the prospect of having their communities identified as an area for the concentration of large-scale renewable energy development and industrialisation of prime agricultural land.

Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland MP said the decision was a win for landowners and communities who had continued to speak up about the impact the proposed zone could have on productive agricultural land and farming operations.

"Labor has finally listenedto the communities who have been telling them for months that this proposal wasnot right for our region," Ms Cleeland said.

"People in Devenish,Goorambat, Winton North, Glenrowan West and Colbinabbin should never have hadto fight this hard to have their concerns heard.

"These are productive farmingcommunities where families have worked the land for generations. Theirproperties are not simply empty spaces on a map where Labor can decide toindustrialise prime agricultural land without properly considering the peoplewho live and work there."

But Ms Cleeland said the decisionwas not the end of the story, with Labor Government figures showing more thantwo-thirds of Victoria's approved renewable energy projects were being builtoutside any declared REZ.

"While this is good news forour communities, it doesn't mean the fight is over," Ms Cleeland said.

"Government figures show 77of Victoria's 111 approved renewable energy projects are located outsideRenewable Energy Zones. If REZs aren't determining where projects are actuallybuilt, then what exactly are they achieving other than devaluing land anddividing communities?

"Communities can breathe alittle easier today, but projects can still turn up on productive farmlandregardless of whether it's sitting inside a designated zone."

Ms Cleeland said removing the REZdesignation did not mean renewable energy projects were now prohibited in thesecommunities.

"What it does mean is thatthese communities will no longer be specifically identified as a zone whereprojects were intended to be concentrated, and where sitting inside thedesignated zone could give project proponents an advantage.

"That removes the incentivefor projects to cluster in this particular area and may mean proponents look toother locations where the planning framework is more favourable."

It comes as the Nationalsannounced strengthened commitments to protect prime agricultural land fromfuture renewable energy projects if elected to government in November,including reinstating the two-kilometre buffer on all renewable energy projectsand establishing urban solar parks to prioritise renewable development inindustrial zones within cities, rather than the continued loss of agriculturalland and natural environment.

"We need investment inregional Victoria, but that cannot come at the expense of our agriculturalcommunities," Ms Cleeland said.

"A Liberals and Nationalsgovernment will reinstate the two-kilometre buffer, so families aren't leftliving metres from industrial-scale infrastructure. We'll also establish urbansolar parks, putting renewable energy where the demand actually is — in ourcities — instead of carving it out of the farmland that feeds this state.

"Regional Victoriansunderstand our energy system is changing, but they also expect sensibleplanning, proper consultation and respect for the people who live and work onthe land.

"The message from thesecommunities has been loud and clear, and it's time Labor backed it with realprotections, not just a pause on one zone."

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