Renewable energy infrastructure
Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (18:39): (1572) My adjournment matter, for the Minister for Local Government, relates to the fundamental unbalance in Victoria’s planning system, a system that leaves local governments powerless over renewable energy projects despite expecting them to represent constituents who might despise these developments. This is not just a quirk of policy; it is a betrayal of regional Victoria, where communities bear the brunt of a state-driven renewables agenda they cannot influence. Under the current regime, shaped by past decisions like planning scheme amendment VC261, the notification, consultation and appeals processes that once gave communities a voice have been dismantled. As third parties, ordinary Victorians are no longer informed, consulted or able to challenge projects at VCAT. Instead they are left with the Supreme Court of Victoria, a costly and daunting option beyond most. Local councils, the front line of democratic representation, are reduced to being bystanders as renewable projects, wind farms, solar arrays and transmission lines particularly march across their jurisdictions. This is indefensible when we consider the scale of what is coming. Victoria’s target of 95 per cent renewable energy by 2035 demands 16 gigawatts of new capacity. That is dozens of projects potentially consuming 40,000 hectares or more based on typical land use for renewables. No part of this state will escape the shadow of turbines, the sprawl of panels or transmission lines, yet while the state dictates this transformation, local governments cannot protect their communities from poorly sited developments or mitigate the monster transmission towers that blight landscapes and livelihoods and wreck the environment. This government justifies this by citing the need for energy security, but this mess stems from its own lack of foresight, a failure regional Victoria now pays for. The benefits might reach suburban electorates, but regional communities carry the can. Former Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano hit the nail on the head:
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The government have forgotten they represent the people. By sidelining local input, they have lost the social licence for these projects.
We are talking tonight about Campaspe, but just this week I heard the latest heartbreaking news, the approval of the Little River solar project opposite the most historic property of Mount Rothwell and Little River, a homestead used in Victoria’s film and tourist industry. Minister, the action I seek is for you to give local councils and communities a voice in these matters which affect them so exponentially.