The Allan Labor Government’s continued contempt for regional Victorians has hit a new low, with the government unexpectedly expanding proposed renewable energy zones in the Wimmera, Mallee and south-west.
The zones form part of the final VicGrid 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan released today, which identifies areas where the government wants to build wind, solar and battery projects.
The final plan shows the number of REZs across the state has increased from seven to nine, with the Wimmera Southern Mallee zone more than doubling and an area near Coleraine being added to the South West REZ.
The Nationals’ Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, said Labor’s continued railroading of communities in its rush towards renewables was disgraceful.
“Our communities had no idea this was coming, and those whose properties are now within the expanded zones have not been consulted,” she said.
“These are not small changes, but significant shifts that push renewable energy zones into entirely new communities, without any thought given to the people who live there and whose livelihoods are inherently tied to this land.
“The government expects our region to do the heavy lifting for the state by hosting more renewables, but continues to treat us with contempt and gives us nothing in return.
“Instead, we’re left with more potholes and crumbling roads, less housing options, and fewer health services.”
Ms Kealy said The Nationals were committed to working alongside regional communities and ensuring consultation, fairness and protection on all major renewables projects.
“Energy infrastructure is important, but not at the expense of local communities and livelihoods,” she said.
“We will restore regional voices and defend regional rights by giving back farmers the right to appeal to VCAT, and reinstating the two-kilometre buffer zones around proposed wind towers to safeguard properties.
“We will also review the REZ to ensure that regional Victorians aren’t unnecessarily wearing the burden of renewable energy projects.”
The updated zones are available at https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/vicgrid/renewable-energy-zones
