Council
22 October, 2025
Renewables advocacy
MAYORS and Members for Parliament united last week to discuss the impact of fast-tracked renewable energy projects on the region.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell and Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan met with the mayors of Corangamite and Moyne shire councils, councillors Kate Makin and Karen Foster respectively, who visited Parliament to discuss problematic issues in the community.
Among the points of advocacy was calling on the Victorian Government to urgently address serious planning loopholes which are affecting renewable energy developments in their communities.
Mr Riordan said among the points of concern had been the government took away the requirement for community consultation, allowing renewable energy projects to be fast tracked without due process.
He believes this point is being made as the Victorian Government is “unable to meet their own renewable targets”, which is resulting in the government providing advice to developers on how to bypass proper scrutiny, particularly in areas outside designated Renewable Energy Zones, such as the South West Renewable Energy Zone (SWREZ) which covers parts of both Moyne and Corangamite Shires.
“This is effectively going through the back door,” Mr Riordan said.
“Two current proposals, the Swansons Lane Wind Farm at Garvoc and the Mumblin Wind Farm near Ecklin South, are causing significant concern for local councils and communities.
“Both projects will have a significant impact, particularly on prime dairy land and farming operations.”
Mr Riordan said both Corangamite and Moyne shire councils had made clear and unanimous objections to the Swansons Lane proposal.
“We’re deeply concerned that the Mumblin Wind Farm application, previously withdrawn under a more rigorous process, has now been resubmitted under a fast-tracked pathway with reduced community input,” he said.
Ms Britnell said the failure in due process was seeing developers attempt to ride roughshod over farmers.
“The government spruiks the importance of food security and the value of farmers, but then slaps them in the face with projects that impede their ability to operate and grow,” she said.
“These projects are local developments with local impacts, and they must be assessed locally.”
Mr Riordan and Ms Britnell united in calling for answers from the State Government on a number of issues including if developer ReFuture had been advised to abandon its original application in favour of the Development Facilitation Program, if developers will be held to the new VicGrid guidelines released in September for projects outside Renewable Energy Zones and why prime agricultural land was not protected in the Planning Scheme.
“Our communities deserve transparency, proper consultation and planning processes that respect local voices and food security,” Ms Britnell and Mr Riordan said.
“We will continue to advocate for fair and responsible development in south west Victoria.”
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