Council
22 January, 2026
Disappointment as new wind farm approved
THE mayors of Corangamite and Moyne Shire Councils have expressed disappointment in the granting of a planning permit for the proposed Swansons Lane wind farm, after previously objecting to the application.
The Victorian Planning Minister announced a permit had been granted to the wind farm developer RE Future on December 29, 2025.
Corangamite Shire Council mayor councillor Kate Makin said a lack of meaningful community consultation meant the project had no social license from nearby residents and farmers.
“The developer has made virtually no effort to engage with all affected landowners throughout the application process, showing little respect for our community,” she said.
“We can’t understand how this project was approved when it sits well outside the State Government’s own proposed Renewable Energy Zones (REZ), and fails to meet so many of the proposed guidelines in the draft Victorian Transmission Plan.”
The same developer has also lodged an application for the Mumblin Wind Farm, west of Cobden, which is even further away from the proposed REZ than Swansons Lane wind farm.
Cr Makin said Corangamite councillors would consider the application at their meeting on January 27, the first for the new year, including the possibility of making a formal submission.
“I encourage affected community members to make a submission before the deadline on Monday, February 2,” she said.
“Again, we are seeing very little in community engagement or benefit.”
Moyne Shire Council mayor councillor Jordan Lockett said the lack of engagement meant there was little detail about any community and economic benefits from the wind farm.
“The people and farmers who will be most impacted by these turbines have heard very little about what lasting benefits will come to their local community,” he said.
“What we did hear were objections to this project from the community – over 100 submissions were lodged with the Department of Transport and Planning against the application.
“We maintain that having a wind farm less than five kilometres from Garvoc township is simply too close – it is not the right location, especially being prime agricultural land.”
Both mayors also cited concerns over the impact on the local road network and potential for negative outcomes for neighbouring farming operations.
Western District Newspapers contacted Swansons Lane Wind Farm developer RE Future for comment but did not receive a response prior to publication.
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