A parliamentary petition calling on the Allan Labor Government to cancel the Delburn Wind Farm has been tabled in state parliament.
Led by the Strzelecki Community Alliance on behalf of impacted residents, the petition pushes back against Labor’s decision to use the State Electricity Commission (SEC) to revive the project after private operators walked away, citing it as commercially unviable.
The Nationals’ Melina Bath said more than 2,800 signatures demonstrate strong and ongoing community opposition across Latrobe City, South Gippsland and Baw Baw.
“This petition makes it clear the Allan Government does not have the social licence to proceed with this project in its current form,” Ms Bath said.
“With 33 turbines, each up to 250 metres high and located as close as one kilometre from homes in a high bushfire‑risk pine plantation, the Delburn Wind Farm will be an imposing industrial development on Gippsland’s landscape.
“There are serious, well‑documented concerns about bushfire risk, noise and visual amenity that the Allan Government continues to ignore.
“Labor’s decision to plough ahead with this eye‑wateringly expensive project is irresponsible, particularly given modelling highlighting the significant bushfire risk associated with the site.
“The proximity to homes, farmland and public land raises serious safety and emergency response concerns.”
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, said the financial cost of the project continues to escalate, alongside the potential impacts on local communities.
“Delburn Wind Farm is yet another example of Labor’s failure to manage major projects and public money, with taxpayers now expected to fund a project approaching $800 million, more than double its original $320 million budget,” Mr O’Brien said.
“By calling in the project, the Allan Government stripped local councils and residents of any meaningful say, in pursuit of ideology and rushed targets.
“The Nationals in government will restore stronger planning protections, including re‑introducing a two kilometre buffer between homes and wind turbines to better reflect the scale of modern infrastructure.
“Renewable energy projects must be delivered responsibly and in partnership with communities – not imposed upon them.”
