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Melina Bath warned Delburn Wind Farm risks bushfires, affecting 1,600 nearby homes and challenging emergency services

A parliamentary petition, backed by Melina Bath, opposes the Allan government’s $650M Delburn Wind Farm bailout, citing fire risk, noise, visual impacts, and mismanagement of taxpayer funds.

By news@gippsland - 26th February 2026 - Back to News

A parliamentary petition has been launched against the Allan Government’s decision to use the SEC to bail out the Delburn Wind Farm after commercial operators abandoned the project citing unviability. The petition is being sponsored by The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath. Ms Bath said community members are deeply opposed to the Delburn Wind Farm, warning of heightened fire risk in the pine plantation and serious noise and visual impacts.

A parliamentary petition, sponsored by Nationals’ Melina Bath, opposes the Allan government using the SEC to revive the $650M unviable Delburn Wind Farm

Delburn wind concerns

Ms Bath said, "Labor has committed over $650 Million of taxpayer funds to revive a project abandoned by commercial operators with an original budget of approximately$320M. Labor’s inability to manage money and major projects is well documented, Victorians have seen time and again, what begins in the millions can end in the billions.

Ms Bath said the Delburn Wind farm will have a profound impact on Gippslanders living close to it. "With 1,600 homes in the vicinity, the potential for a bushfire event remains a major concern for the community and their anxiety is completely understandable. Submissions to the Delburn Wind Farm Planning Report noted that turbines in a pine plantation could face fast moving, high intensity fires that are difficult to control and challenging for emergency services."

"Labor is running roughshod over the community to appear more green to those living in the city. The SEC has been a complete sham, for over a decade the Allan Government has bungled the state’s renewable energy transition promising bills will go down when prices climbed higher. The petition invites residents to express their views and send their voice to Spring Street, something I honour and respect," she said.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council LinkedIn website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Despite eased restrictions, fire risk remains. Residents can conduct burn-offs under strict rules, must supervise fires, follow regulations, and stay alert as total fire ban days may still apply.
• Baw Baw Council launches new emergency dashboard providing reliable, centralised local updates before, during and after emergencies
  Baw Baw Council has launched a new Emergency Dashboard, providing residents with a single, reliable platform for real-time updates, warnings, and essential information before, during, and after emergencies on all devices.
• Darren Chester presented to Five CHC Helicopter crew awarded National Emergency Medals for heroic Black Summer bushfire service
  Five CHC Helicopter personnel based at East Sale RAAF Base received National Emergency Medals for courageous, lifesaving service during the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires across Gippsland communities.
• Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's fast-track renewable energy policy removing Gippslanders' right to appeal development decisions
  Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's fast-track renewable energy policy after Gelliondale Wind Farm reapplies, warning it removes Gippslanders' appeal rights, undermines safeguards, and threatens proper siting of turbines near homes.
• Latrobe Valley still waiting for Commonwealth Games Legacy Housing, four years after Labor promise
  Regional Victorians miss hosting Commonwealth Games athletes as promised Morwell legacy housing remains unbuilt. Nationals MPs Martin Cameron and Melina Bath criticize Allan Labor government’s broken promises amid worsening public housing crisis.
• Tim Bull criticises Labor government for mismanagement, volunteer cuts, and inadequate fuel reduction ahead of high-risk summer season
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull warns communities face extreme bushfire risk this summer due to Labor’s volunteer cuts, ageing CFA fleet, inadequate fuel reduction, and failure to implement Royal Commission recommendations.
• Parliamentary Inquiry visits South Gippsland to examine oil, gas decommissioning and regional transition opportunities
  State Parliament’s Environment and Planning Committee visited South Gippsland to examine oil and gas decommissioning, and local government perspectives, highlighting infrastructure needs and renewable transition opportunities.
• East Gippsland Shire backs $15M Bairnsdale Airport upgrade to boost emergency response and healthcare services regionally
  East Gippsland Shire Council has backed a $15 million Bairnsdale Airport upgrade, extending the runway to boost emergency response, healthcare services, and regional aviation, supported by government funding and health agencies.
• Bass Coast launches energy resilient hubs and emergency dashboard to strengthen community preparedness and recovery
  Bass Coast Shire Council has launched Energy Resilient Community Hubs and an Emergency Dashboard to boost preparedness, strengthen local resilience, and keep communities safe, connected, and supported during emergencies and power outages.
• Tim Bull criticises Minister Dimopoulos for dismissing G-Wagon concerns, warning Gippsland’s fire preparedness is reduced
  Tim Bull criticises Environment Minister Dimopoulos for dismissing concerns about withdrawn G-Wagon firefighting vehicles, warning Gippsland faces reduced fire preparedness and urging clear answers before the upcoming fire season.
• South Gippsland Remembrance Day services to be held in various locations and other council updates
  South Gippsland marks Remembrance Day on 11 November with local services honouring veterans. Plus, free green waste disposal, festive giving initiatives, business support, community events, and engagement opportunities across the region this spring.
• Wellington Shire Council offers free green waste disposal to help residents reduce fire hazards this season
  Wellington Shire Council is urging property owners, particularly in coastal communities, to prepare for the fire danger period by taking advantage of its Fire Ready No-Fee Green Waste Disposal program.
• Health Care Australia to deliver immunisation services across Baw Baw, Casey and Cardinia Shires starting 1 July 2026
  Health Care Australia will manage immunisation services across Baw Baw, Casey, and Cardinia, offering National Immunisation Program vaccines, streamlining administration, improving efficiency, and providing access and flexibility for residents.
• Darren Chester urges more fuel reduction to protect Victorian communities from bushfires
  Darren Chester urged increased fuel reduction on Victorian public land, warning unmanaged forests worsen bushfires, and criticised the native timber industry shutdown while praising volunteers and community resilience.
• Tim Bull slams government’s restrictive, confusing emergency levy exemptions failing CFA volunteers across Gippsland
  Tim Bull says the government’s flawed levy exemptions are too complex and restrictive, leaving CFA volunteers frustrated, excluded, and unsupported, and is urging the Minister to simplify the process.
• Tim Bull says East Gippsland faces a housing crisis, with social homes declining despite population growth
  Victoria’s social housing crisis deepens as Labor policies drive rental providers away, reducing stock. Tim Bull warns record waiting lists and rising homelessness demand urgent government action.