The changes would grant VicGrid new powers to continue steamrolling landholders in the way of new renewable energy infrastructure across Victoria, the VFF said in a Facebook post.
VFF president Brett Hosking spoke directly to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and sent a letter to all members of parliament.
The letter called for the Victorian Government to:
- Withdraw or significantly amend the VicGrid bill to remove coercive powers.
- Scrap the Western Renewables Link.
- Scrap VNI West.
- Commit to respectful, transparent consultation with landholders and local communities.
- Recognise and protect agriculture as a vital land use in energy planning.
“The objectives behind this bill may be right but the execution is fundamentally wrong. This is not how you achieve a just, fair or effective energy transition,” Mr Hosking said in his letter.
“This is how you break trust, delay projects, and make enemies of the very people we need most.
“As you cast your vote, ask yourself what kind of transition you want.
“If you truly want to see deep emissions cuts this decade, then vote no to the VicGrid Stage 2 Bill and instead, help us build the trust, partnerships and practical planning needed to get this done right and in a timely manner.”
The letter said if the changes are passed, it will:
- Give VicGrid the power to forcibly enter family farms and homes.
- Allow the state to approve major projects with no meaningful engagement.
- Authorise VicGrid to decide where energy infrastructure goes, with no obligation to consult or collaborate with the people who live and work on that land.
Read Mr Hosking’s full letter at: tinyurl.com/zarrxefu
The crowd included four people representing the MItchell Shire based farm lobby group, Protect Our Farms.
Group member, Rae Clark said the protesters were well mannered and the speakers put their case with passion.
She was impressed by Moorabool Shire councillor, Jarrod Bingham, who took a strong stand on the emergency services levy.
Another speaker described how there was not a single location on his farm, where wind turbines could not be seen.
The amendments to the VicGrid Stage 2 Bill are scheduled to be debated and go to a vote on Thursday, July 31.
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