The Labor Government has finally taken the common-sense approach of abandoning the proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), following months of strong 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 listened to the communities who have been telling them for months that this proposal was not right for our region,” Ms Cleeland said.
“People in Devenish, Goorambat, Winton North, Glenrowan West and Colbinabbin should never have had to fight this hard to have their concerns heard.
“These are productive farming communities where families have worked the land for generations. Their properties are not simply empty spaces on a map where Labor can decide to industrialise prime agricultural land without properly considering the people who live and work there.”
But Ms Cleeland said the decision was not the end of the story, with Labor Government figures showing more than two-thirds of Victoria’s approved renewable energy projects were being built outside any declared REZ.
“While this is good news for our communities, it doesn’t mean the fight is over,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Government figures show 77 of Victoria’s 111 approved renewable energy projects are located outside Renewable Energy Zones. If REZs aren’t determining where projects are actually built, then what exactly are they achieving other than devaluing land and dividing communities?
“Communities can breathe a little easier today, but projects can still turn up on productive farmland regardless of whether it’s sitting inside a designated zone.”
Ms Cleeland said removing the REZ designation did not mean renewable energy projects were now prohibited in these communities.
“What it does mean is that these communities will no longer be specifically identified as a zone where projects were intended to be concentrated, and where sitting inside the designated zone could give project proponents an advantage.
“That removes the incentive for projects to cluster in this particular area and may mean proponents look to other locations where the planning framework is more favourable.”
It comes as the Nationals announced strengthened commitments to protect prime agricultural land from future renewable energy projects if elected to government in November, including reinstating the two-kilometre buffer on all renewable energy projects and establishing urban solar parks to prioritise renewable development in industrial zones within cities, rather than the continued loss of agricultural land and natural environment.
“We need investment in regional Victoria, but that cannot come at the expense of our agricultural communities,” Ms Cleeland said.
“A Liberals and Nationals government will reinstate the two-kilometre buffer, so families aren’t left living metres from industrial-scale infrastructure. We’ll also establish urban solar parks, putting renewable energy where the demand actually is — in our cities — instead of carving it out of the farmland that feeds this state.
“Regional Victorians understand our energy system is changing, but they also expect sensible planning, proper consultation and respect for the people who live and work on the land.
“The message from these communities has been loud and clear, and it’s time Labor backed it with real protections, not just a pause on one zone.”
