Council
5 August, 2026
Council vows to continue opposition to Mumblin
CORANGAMITE Shire Council will continue its push against the proposed Mumblin Wind Farm following its shock approval.
As Cobden Timboon Coast Times previously reported, the eight-turbine Mumblin Wind Farm at Elingamite North was greenlit for approval in late June.
Corangamite Shire Council mayor councillor Kate Makin has been consistent in her condemnation of the failures surrounding the proposal, which she described as feeling “bitterly disappointed and frustrated” following the state government decision.
She said the proposal from developer RE Future involved far less community and council engagement than was considered acceptable.
“The submission we lodged with the Minister states the developer’s engagement with council and the community has fallen well short of the standards expected under Victoria’s wind energy guidelines and demonstrated by other permit applicants for wind energy proposals and other proposals,” she said.
“Engagement with the local community and council has been minimal and at the last minute.
“By comparison, Berrybank Wind Farm developer GPG carried out extensive community engagement and continues to have a relationship with the community through an ongoing community benefits scheme.
“GPG had a dedicated local community engagement officer and community engagement committee, regular newsletters, traineeships for local residents and voluntary agreements with those within two kilometres of the wind farm in order to compensate them for any potential impacts.”
Cr Makin said the lack of engagement erodes community trust and reflects poorly on the entire wind farm sector and its regulatory system.
As Cobden Timboon Coast Times also reported, councillors expressed their dismay with the negative impacts the development could have on the Cobden Aerodrome and any future developments at the asset which has become the primary hub of the region’s aerial firefighting.
Cr Makin said the framework for the application had been lacking in regards to its potential impact on the Cobden Aerodrome.
“The Mumblin applicant has not met the minimum standard or expectation for community engagement and its engagement with the community has been wholly inadequate,” she said.
“The applicant also did not follow the National Airports Safeguarding Framework (NASF) guidelines by consulting with nearby aerodromes, including Cobden Aerodrome, prior to lodging the application.
“Early consultation is an important part of the safeguarding process and assists in identifying potential aviation safety issues before an application is formally considered.”
Cr Makin said it was deeply concerning how little effort had been made to undertake robust community engagement.
“The Department of Transport and Planning’s Planning Guidelines for Development of Wind Energy Facilities call for developers to start engagement early, give suitable opportunities for input and listening to wehat the public, council and other agencies have to say,” she said.
“They also say the developer must be prepared to change their proposal in response to stakeholder inputs
“To the best of council’s knowledge, only two face-to-face community information sessions were held and that was not until October 2025 – five months after the application was made.
“This is not good enough.”
Cr Makin said council was not against renewable energy development was firm in its belief community consultation was a vital component of any decision-making process.
“Effective, considered community engagement is fundamental to generating community support and increasing a developer’s social licence to operate,” she said.
“Social licence for renewable energy is an ongoing issue in Corangamite.
“Organisations around the world recognise social licence is vital because it can make or break an industry.
“Council is not and never has been anti-renewable energy.
“These projects need to be in the right place and that is not in the middle of prime agricultural land that feeds people across the whole state and is vital to our community’s future sustainability.”