The Nationals’ candidate for Gippsland East, Gemma Rendell, says an elected Liberals and Nationals’ Government will restore the rights of regional landholders by repealing Labor’s compulsory land acquisition laws and reinstating independent appeal rights for major energy projects.
Ms Rendell said too many landholders were concerned about decisions being made over their properties without the ability to challenge the decision.
“Farmers and regional communities deserve to be heard before decisions are made that affect their land, their livelihoods and their future,” Ms Rendell said.
“A Liberals and Nationals’ Coalition Government will repeal Labor’s laws that allow farmland to be compulsorily acquired for transmission projects before environmental approvals, including Environmental Effects Statements, have been completed.
“This is what we have seen in the west of the state but the right to challenge these decisions in VCAT must be restored.
“Labor stripped away an important safeguard for regional Victorians. We believe landholders deserve an independent umpire when decisions of this magnitude are being made.
“Renewable energy has an important role to play, but it must be delivered in a way that respects the rights of the people who live in these communities.”
Ms Rendell said the Coalition’s policies were about restoring balance to the planning system.
“Regional Victorians should never feel like they are being dictated to by Melbourne.
“We support sensible development, but it must be accompanied by proper environmental assessment, genuine community consultation and fair legal protections for those directly affected.
“A Liberals and Nationals’ Government will put fairness back into the planning process and ensure regional communities once again have a genuine voice in decisions affecting their future.”
Caption: The Nationals’ candidate for Gippsland East, Gemma Rendell, said the Liberals and Nationals will restore farmers’ rights to VCAT appeal on renewable energy projects.
