Mildura electorate
Jade BENHAM (Mildura) (14:50): (782) My question is for the Minister for Planning and comes from food and fibre producers throughout north-west Victoria, specifically the Donald, Charlton and Wycheproof areas. Will their families and farms be safe under the accelerated planning pathways for renewable projects when it comes to minerals sands mining projects that are on the horizon? There is very little clarity around what the accelerated planning pathways do and do not apply to, and farmers are concerned about the removal of the planning panel process, including third-party appeals to VCAT. They believe the lines are not clear – they are very blurry – and there are questions around the mineral sands, which are used in solar panels, batteries et cetera. There are young families returning to the area planning to build brand new homes on their farms, put down their roots and put their kids through school. So will their farms and families be safe, or will they be booted off their land as collateral damage?