Nationals’ renewables plan will restore local voices

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

For too long, residents across the Euroa electorate have been denied a voice amid the renewables push from the Allan Labor Government and multi-national corporations, which has included a lack of effective consultation about projects in areas like Colbinabbin, Winton, Ruffy, and the Strathbogie Ranges.

The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said regional communities had been ignored for too long when it comes to the location of renewable energy projects.

“Too often we are seeing a lack of community consultation result in our prime land being covered with renewable projects when there are several more suitable options available,” Ms Cleeland said.

“These projects will profoundly impact the lives and land of our farmers and landowners, and it is deeply disappointing to see this government disregard their valuable input on these matters.

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

“Local communities must have a seat at the table in shaping renewable energy projects,” Ms Cleeland said.

“A right to appeal process and rigorous planning assessments, not only protects our environment but the values and livelihoods of the people who live there.”

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 Cleeland said the policy would be a breakthrough for regional communities, including those impacted by the proposed Cooba Solar Facility, the Fera Wind Farm, the Winton Hydrogen Refuelling Station, and many others set to be built in local areas.

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