Rural
Farmers Federation blasts transmission framework
A NEW statewide plan for transmission infrastructure development has been slammed by the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), which says the initiative ignores the rights of farmers and regional communities.
New legislation is set to be introduced to Victorian parliament early next year, outlining the government’s “once-in-a-generation’ energy transition utilising Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) throughout the state to replace traditional coal-fired power stations.
VFF president Emma Germano said the framework had failed to consider its impacts on farm business.
“For the last four years, the VFF has consistently called for a coordinated approach to transmission infrastructure planning – the government has heeded our call and taken some action in formulating the Victorian Transmission Investment Framework,” she said.
“Disappointingly, however, the framework continues to neglect farmer concerns – it does not speak about agricultural land use and the impact on food and fibre production.
“It’s farmers that are slated to host the infrastructure needed for renewable transmission – how could the framework possible ignore farmers and the food we produce?
“There are gaping policy black holes around fair protection for the rights of landowners and these must be addressed and incorporated into the framework – we cannot plan and cost transmission projects if we do not know what the actual level of compensation to landowners will be.”