The Nationals today launched a clear plan to put local voices first in the transition to renewables.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said local residents had been denied a voice amid the renewables push from the Allan Labor Government and multi-national corporations.
Ms Broad said she had been contacted by locals concerned about different projects in areas ranging right across northern Victoria.
Ms Broad said a future Nationals and Liberals government would guarantee affected residents had a say over renewable energy projects.
“The Nationals and Liberals’ Regional Energy Development Policy will reinstate the right of appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal – which Labor withdrew earlier this year – ensuring community voices are heard in the planning process,” Ms Broad said.
It will also:
• Ensure major transmission and large-scale wind and solar generation projects face a rigorous and independent planning panel assessment
• Institute a default 2km buffer zone around proposed wind towers to minimise the impact on residential properties and local communities
• Ensure lower-emission generators, high-voltage transmission lines and large-scale battery owners are required to comply with all relevant bushfire overlays
• Revoke planning scheme amendment VC261, instituted by Labor to strip local communities of planning powers over high-voltage transmission lines
• Advocate to the federal government that any compensation received by landowners for hosting major transmission lines, or for impacts caused by such projects, is exempt from taxation
• Develop principles that ensure overhead lines adhere to strict setback requirements to minimise visual and environmental impact.
“All Victorians needs reliable, secure and affordable energy, and those most affected by renewable energy projects living in regional communities deserve to be heard,” Ms Broad said.
“A Nationals and Liberals Government will reinstate the third-party appeal rights that Labor has stripped from regional communities because it is unfair and anti-democratic to deny those who are directly affected by these major projects from having a say.
“We will also set up a bond system – something that already operates in the mining sector – to guarantee that developers ensure all decommissioned projects are fully cleaned up and restored.
“Our policy will also protect the community from dodgy operators who, for their own personal gain, want to get approval for projects then flip them to buyers, unknown to the community.
“The Nationals and Liberals will always put local communities first.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
