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Emma Kealy & David Davis – Regional communities sidelined by Labor’s new energy…
Wednesday 31 July 2024
Victorians continue to pay the price for the Allan Labor Government’s mismanagement of our energy network, as regional communities speak out against Labor’s draft Victorian Transmission Plan Guidelines.
After failing to adequately invest in Victoria’s transmission and distribution networks for a decade, Labor is now seeking to rush through new transmission lines and renewable energy zones without proper consultation with regional communities.
Despite warnings from the Victorian Farmer’s Federation, that the proposed sites across Western Victoria, Ballarat and Swan Hill are “totally inappropriate”, due to their soil composition and rainfall levels, Labor continues to progress their flawed plan.
Shadow Minister for Energy, Affordability and Security, David Davis, said: “The Allan Labor Government is pushing ahead with its proposals to cover rural Victoria with renewable energy zones and long-distance transmission lines, without genuinely consulting with these communities.
“Having mismanaged our energy system for a decade, Labor have torn planning powers from councils and communities and are streamrolling local communities across the state.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage the state’s energy system and Victorians are paying the price.”
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Emma Kealy, said: “ Labor must explain why it has revoked recently reviewed renewable energy zones across the state and established a new zone in western Victoria without any justification.
“We must prioritise and protect our prime agricultural zones that contribute so much to our economy.”