Today, the Liberals and Nationals make a stand to put locals first in the transition to renewables.
For too long, locals haven't had a voice amid the renewables push from the Allan Labor Government and multi-national corporations.
A future Liberals and Nationals Government will guarantee a voice for those affected most by renewable projects in their communities.
Our Regional Energy Development Policy will:
- Reinstate the right of appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, ensuring that community voices are heard in the planning process.
- Revoke planning scheme amendment VC261, instituted by Labor to strip local communities of planning powers over the high voltage transmission lines.
- Institute a default 2km 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 face a rigorous and independent planning panel assessment.
- Develop principles that ensure overhead lines adhere to strict setback requirements to minimise visual and environmental impact.
- Ensure Lower emission generators, high voltage transmission lines and large scale battery owners are be required to comply with all relevant bushfire overlays.
- Advocate to the Commonwealth that any compensation received by landowners for hosting major transmission lines, or for impacts caused by such projects, is exempt from taxation.
Leader of the Opposition, John Pesutto, said: "This policy will be a major breakthrough for regional communities.
"Our proposal restores the balance between the roll-out of renewable energy and the changes to transmission networks.
"We support the transition away from coal however this must occur in close consultation with regional communities.
"A Pesutto Liberals and Nationals 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."
Leader of The Nationals, Peter Walsh, said: "Leaving locals without a voice or an avenue of appeal was un-Australian.
"This announcement means the Liberals and Nationals will be putting locals first in the transition to renewables..
"It will also allow a crackdown on unscrupulous operators, who for their own personal gain, want to get approval for projects then flip them to buyers unknown to the community.
"Not only are we giving communities a voice, but we are also protecting them."
