The Nationals will move to ensure “Gippslanders are put first” in the transition to renewables.
State Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien said Gippslanders had been left without a voice amid the renewables push from the government and multi-national corporations for too long.
“Gippsland South has been inundated with proposed renewable energy developments creating confusion and angst,” he said.
“I have been in regular contact with locals who feel steam-rolled and as though their concerns have gone unheard.
“Where the city-centric Allan Labor government has failed to listen and has actively removed their right to appeal against neighbouring energy developments, the Nationals and Liberals in government will guarantee a voice for those affected most by renewable projects.”
Mr O’Brien said the Nationals’ and Liberals’ regional energy development policy would:
Reinstate the right of appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, ensuring community voices were heard in the planning process;
Revoke planning scheme amendment VC261, instituted by Labor to strip local communities of planning powers over high voltage transmission lines;
Institute a default two-kilometre buffer zone around proposed wind towers to minimise the impact on residential properties and local communities
Ensure major transmission and large-scale wind and solar generation projects faced a rigorous and independent planning panel assessment;
Develop principles which ensured overhead lines adhered to strict setback requirements to minimise visual and environmental impact;
Ensure lower emission generators, high voltage transmission lines and large scale battery owners were required to comply with all relevant bushfire overlays, and
Advocate to the Commonwealth that any compensation received by landowners for hosting major transmission lines, or for impacts caused by such projects, was exempt from taxation.
“The Nationals in government will also reinstate the third-party appeal rights that were unfairly stripped by Labor with no regard to the democratic rights of regional communities,” Mr O’Brien said.
“As we transition away from coal, it is important that Gippslanders have the opportunity to have their say and have an avenue to stand up against developments that may threaten their way of life.
“Our policy will ensure a balance between the roll-out of renewable energy and the changes that will be needed to transmission networks.
“This plan is not just about giving locals a voice but protecting our regional communities like those in Gippsland South.”
Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull said the Nationals supported the development of renewables “in the right locations as part of the overall energy mix”, but it was unfair the government removed communities from having the right of appeal to the VCAT, the independent arbitrator.
“As we have seen around the state and locally, such proposals often evoke a range of opinions. Those with legitimate concerns should have the right to have these assessed at VCAT and that is what we will restore,” Mr Bull said.
