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Concealed Community Engagement Review shows federal Labor government lack of transparency on renewable projects impact on agriculture

Littleproud emphasises the necessity of disclosing the Community Engagement Review on renewable projects, expressing concerns about Labor's 82% renewables target, its impact on agriculture, and lack of transparency.

By news@gippsland - 23rd January 2024 - Back to News

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said Labor is refusing to be transparent about the impact of renewable projects on productive agriculture land and regional communities, by failing to release its promised Community Engagement Review into the issue. Mr Littleproud said the cost-of-living crisis was the biggest issue facing Australia, yet a review into renewables, their costs and impact on food production, which, in turn, would impact prices at the checkout, was being hidden.

The Community Engagement Review on renewables, expresses concerns about Labor's 82% target and transparency issues in agriculture. Labor's oversight of environmental, social, and financial consequences is evident

Community engagement review

Mr Littleproud said, "Disclosure of the review is crucial because it's about the future of our farming communities and how this will impact the price of food. The review looks at the impact on agricultural land and farmers, the treatment and rights of landowners and regional communities for renewable energy projects including wind turbines, solar panels, hydrogen and transmission lines."

The Community Engagement Review, investigating renewable projects and infrastructure, was announced by Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen on July 4, 2023, and is being led by Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer. It was presented to the Minister at the end of 2023.

Criticising Labor's target

Mr Littleproud is now seeking access to the report under the Freedom of Information Act. "Labor is pursuing a reckless 82 per cent renewables target by 2030, which is driving up costs and threatening productive agricultural land and regional communities. Minister Bowen has previously stated Labor needs to install 22,000 solar panels every day, or 60 million panels by 2030, and 40 wind turbines every month to reach its target."

"Labor will also require 34 times the current amount of utility-scale variable renewable energy in the national electricity market to meet its hydrogen ambitions, on top of 28,000 kilometres of transmission lines," he said.

Threat to farm livelihoods

Victorian farmer Ben Duxson, who has 8500 merino sheep as well as canola, barley and wheat on his 5500-acre farm in Kanya, Southern Wimmera, said there was no need for Labor's planned transmission lines, which would go straight through his own farm.

"No one in our area wants anything to do with wind farms, solar or transmission lines, because we are farmers of food and fibre, not energy. Labor has to go back and re-plan. They are not thinking about the environment or the social or financial impact and my message to Labor is 'start again'. Food and fibre security, sustainability and affordability are all in jeopardy if this plan goes ahead."

"Transmission lines through this area would lead to multi-generational farmers getting up and leaving due to constraints placed on our businesses and the way we farm. We will fight against the reckless plan Labor has for Australia's energy sector. Farmers will have to do the heavy lifting for a failed short-term plan that will increase the cost-of-living for all Australians," Mr Duxson said.

Calls for transparency

Mr Littleproud added Labor's refusal to release the document shows despite having a reckless target, it has no plan to deliver and is hiding behind secrecy, because Labor knows local communities such as Mr Duxson's will be steamrolled.

"We need to know how much productive agricultural land is earmarked, where is it earmarked and when will the projects be forced onto local communities? We also need to know how much these projects will cost taxpayers and what are the protection rights of property owners?"

"We have time to pause, to plan and to use common sense. Sadly, it's becoming obvious that renewables are losing their social licence because they are destroying the very thing they were designed to protect," Mr Littleproud said.

Pictures from Wikipedia website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Stallholder applications open for 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo connecting families and community services
  Stallholder applications have opened for the 2026 Latrobe City Children's Expo, offering organisations and entertainers the chance to connect with thousands of local families during National Children's Week celebrations.
• Marlo named sole East Gippsland finalist in Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, celebrating community spirit
  Marlo was East Gippsland’s sole finalist in the Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, recognised for its authentic visitor experiences and strong community-driven tourism campaign.
• Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
  Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care.
• Morwell Historical Society opens exhibition celebrating Northway Family’s pioneering legacy and Hazelwood’s early history for community visitors
  Federal and state MPs opened Morwell Historical Society’s Pioneering Northway Family Exhibition, showcasing three generations of Hazelwood pioneers through photographs, documents and maps until November 29.
• West Gippsland CMA celebrates rural women’s contributions to agriculture, healthy catchments and sustainable farming futures
  West Gippsland CMA celebrates rural women’s contributions through a podcast featuring dairy farmer Jess Knight, highlighting farm life, community connections, irrigation knowledge and sustainable agricultural practices shaping the region’s future.
• Baw Baw Shire Council Pop-Up Playgroups wins Victorian early years award for promoting children’s health, wellbeing and community connections
  Baw Baw Shire Council’s Pop-Up Playgroups has won a 2026 Victorian Early Years Award, recognising its inclusive approach to supporting children’s wellbeing and connecting local families through play.
• Southern Rural Water manages Gippsland storages during rainfall, balancing flood risks, water supplies and community safety
  Southern Rural Water managed Gippsland water storages during significant weekend rainfall, using controlled releases to create capacity, reduce flood risks and protect community safety and water supplies.
• Parliamentary inquiry reveals CFA resource shortfalls after years of Labor neglect, leaving Gippsland communities increasingly vulnerable
  A Parliamentary inquiry has highlighted declining CFA volunteer numbers, ageing firefighting vehicles, workforce shortages and poor fuel management, prompting Nationals' Danny O'Brien to demand urgent action to protect Gippsland communities.
• Baw Baw Shire Council urges election candidates to fund critical projects before Victorian state election in November
  Baw Baw Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to fund critical local projects, including road upgrades, trails, sporting infrastructure, business development and a new West Gippsland Hospital.
• Bairnsdale Library unveils upgraded outdoor spaces with new shade structures, refreshed courtyard and improved facilities for community activities
  Bairnsdale Library has unveiled upgraded outdoor spaces featuring two louvred shade structures, refreshed courtyard landscaping and vegetable beds, supported by $79,104 in Living Libraries Infrastructure Program funding.
• Gippsland Landcare champions win Victorian awards for environmental conservation, First Nations collaboration and sustainable agriculture achievements
  Two Gippsland Landcare champions have won 2026 Victorian Landcare Awards, with Moogji Aboriginal Council and Kate Mirams and Peter Neaves recognised for environmental stewardship, collaboration and sustainable agriculture.
• Celebrate the Lakes event highlighting Gippsland Lakes diversity and environmental projects protecting vital local ecosystems
  The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority will host Celebrate the Lakes at Eagle Point, showcasing Gippsland Lakes biodiversity, environmental projects and community efforts protecting local waterways, wetlands and wildlife.
• Maffra student Jaxon Marshall champions resilient agriculture during National Youth Parliament visit to Canberra
  Maffra student Jaxon Marshall represented Gippsland at National Youth Parliament, delivering a passionate speech advocating resilient agriculture, regenerative farming, research and stronger support for farmers and Australia’s future.
• Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
  The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment.
• Better Place Australia opens new Traralgon office to expand family support services across Gippsland amid rising community needs
  Better Place Australia has opened a new Traralgon office to expand family support services across Gippsland, addressing challenges including family separation, violence, financial stress and child vulnerability.
• Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
  Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere.
• The Nationals and Liberals promise tougher sentencing, specialist criminal appeal court, greater transparency for Victorians
  The Nationals and Liberals pledge tougher sentencing, a specialist Criminal Appeal Court and greater transparency, including Children’s Court data, to restore confidence, strengthen accountability and address Victoria’s crime crisis.
• Supercars Championship returns to Phillip Island in 2027 following Victorian government multi-year contract announcement
  Bass Coast Shire Council has welcomed the Supercars Championship return to Phillip Island in 2027 under a Victorian Government multi-year contract, supporting regional tourism and economic transition following MotoGP and World Superbikes departures.
• Farmers denied refunds despite biosecurity overcharging and government cost recovery surplus
  DAFF will not refund farmers despite collecting $26 million in excess biosecurity fees between 2024 and 2026. An Auditor-General report identified cost recovery management failures, prompting calls for greater transparency and fairer charges.
• Have your say on Wellington Shire Draft Urban Paths Plan to improve walking and cycling connections by 8 November 2026
  Wellington Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its Draft Urban Paths Plan to improve walking and cycling connections. Residents can complete an online survey from October 12 to November 8, 2026.
• Cowes Freedom of Entry Parade marks 125 years of Australia's Commonwealth Naval Forces and naval service tradition parade on 7 August 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council invites the community to Cowes' Freedom of Entry Parade on August 7, celebrating 125 years of Australia's naval heritage with HMAS Cape Woolamai personnel and the Royal Australian Navy Band.
• Baw Baw Shire Council appoints Anthony Petherbridge as third new director following organisational restructure
  Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Anthony Petherbridge as Director Community and Planning Services following its restructure, joining two new directors and bringing extensive strategic planning and executive-level local government experience.
• Baw Baw book boxes bring free children’s books and reading opportunities to communities across Drouin, Longwarry and Warragul
  Baw Baw Shire Council and Drouin Men’s Shed have installed community book boxes across Drouin, Longwarry and Warragul, offering free children’s books while encouraging literacy, reading and family connections.
• Melina Bath honours Colin "Stocky" Stockdale for 63 years of outstanding CFA service to South Gippsland community
  Melina Bath congratulated Colin "Stocky" Stockdale on receiving the CFA's highest honour, recognising his 63 years of leadership, mentorship and dedicated service protecting South Gippsland communities.
• Yarram Pool installs new accessibility pod to improve safety, comfort and inclusion for residents with mobility challenges
  Yarram Pool has installed a new accessibility pod following community feedback, providing safer, more comfortable water access for residents with mobility challenges ahead of the summer swimming season.