The Nationals Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, raised her major concerns in Parliament about the removal of the planning panel process, including the removal of third-party appeals to VCAT for Renewable energy projects.
“This government is taking away the rights of regional communities, and there has been an outcry from landowners to remove the right to challenge or appeal transmission infrastructure in VCAT,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“This is a blatant attempt by the Allan Labor Government to silence regional voices in Favor of big renewable energy companies.
“The premier has failed to introduce renewable energy projects that communities want, so instead, her own government are silencing their voices and will be forcing unwanted projects.”
Ms O’Keeffe also mentioned that the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) president, Emma Germano, has blasted the State Government’s decision to fast-track renewable energy projects by accelerating planning approvals.
The VFF stated the move was a “slap in the face” after years of “sham consultation with farming communities”.
This change means that from the time a complete application is lodged for a new project, a decision can be made within four months.
“Four months is not long enough for a planning proposal that can then no longer be challenged in the future,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
She also said that the Allan Labor Government must have a fair framework and dispute resolution that guides the transition to our renewable energy future and a sensible considered transition to renewables.
“Attorney General Jaclyn Symes, when questioned in Parliament, failed to respond to the decision to strip VCAT from the renewables appeal process, handballing the matter to the Agriculture Minister Ros Spence, who we now await a response from,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“The Nationals will continue to fight for answers, given that affected primary producers will now have to take their grievances to the far more expensive Supreme Court.”