The Allan Labor Government has once again shown its disregard for regional Victorians, with the release of the final VicGrid 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan revealing a major expansion of renewable energy zones (REZs) in the Wimmera, Mallee and south-west.
The final plan shows proposed Grampians Wimmera and the Wimmera Southern Mallee REZs have now been combined to significantly increase the size of the zone.
The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, said the announcement is yet another example of Labor steamrolling regional communities in its rush towards renewables.
“People who live and work on the land have been completely blindsided. They’ve had no genuine consultation, no warning and no respect from this government,” Ms Benham said.
“Through these changes and the VicGrid Stage 2 Reform Bill, Labor is taking away landholder rights and telling regional people they have no option but to fall into line. By widening the zones, the government is handing renewable energy companies an easier pathway to push through large-scale projects, while shutting out communities.
“These are not minor adjustments, these are major changes that impact farms, businesses and entire communities. The government expects our region to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to renewables, but in return we’re left with crumbling roads, stretched health services and an escalating crime crisis.”
Ms Benham said The Nationals were committed to restoring fairness, proper consultation and protection for regional communities impacted by renewables projects.
“Energy infrastructure matters, but it can’t come at the expense of the farmers who have worked this land for decades,” Ms Benham said. “The Nationals will restore farmers’ rights to appeal to VCAT, reinstate the two-kilometre buffer zones around wind towers, and review the REZ process so regional Victorians aren’t left carrying the burden for the whole state.
“We know that Labor can’t manage a transition to renewables, it can’t manage these projects and it’s regional Victorian communities who are paying the price.”
