Caption: Corangamite Shire Councillors stand next to a sign erected by concerned community members. Council is calling on the State Government to include councils, as the voice of our local communities, in the planning process for energy projects.
Corangamite Shire Council is backing community concerns about the proposed Mumblin Wind Farm south-west of Cobden.
Mayor Kate Makin encouraged community members to take their questions to one of RE Futures' information sessions at Terang Civic Hall on Tuesday 21 October and Monday 27 October.
Cr Makin said Council was advised on 1 October 2025 that developer RE Futures has submitted an updated planning application to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
"RE Future has applied to the Victorian Planning Minister for 8 wind turbines on Curdies-Leichfield Road, down from nine, but proposes 252 m turbines – 5 m higher than the original 247 m model.
"We question why the permit application was withdrawn under a previous assessment process only to be resubmitted. Was this to take advantage of the Development Facilitation Program process gazetted as part of planning Amendment VC261 in April 2024?"
"Will the developers abide by the guidelines that VicGrid and the Department released for community consultation only last week that relate to projects that fall outside of new Renewable Energy Zones?
"Mumblin is not in the new South West Renewable Energy Zone which raises the question: 'What is the point of having the zones in the first place?'
Cr Makin said renewable energy projects are decided by the minister have been taken out of Council's hands.
"Council has no third-party appeal right to VCAT if DTP deems a project to be of state significance.
"Cutting out councils, as the voice of our local communities, is eroding trust in the State planning process. It's being done to us, not by us.
"The government is applying new rules across all planning schemes. It announces them by media release then we get an email saying these are the new rules we have to follow.
Cr Makin said Council had made a number of submissions to the State Government over many years highlighting concerns around concentration of renewable energy production, storage and transmission projects on prime agricultural land.
"Without recognition and protection in the Planning Scheme for agricultural food production, our food security and the very economic foundation of our region is at risk from inappropriately sited renewable energy infrastructure.
"We fear that instead of providing protection and orderly planning Amendments VC268 and VC261 will see more opportunistic and ad hoc development rather than less.
"Council acknowledges the importance of transitioning to renewable energy, but we also need to recognise the impacts of these projects on agriculture, rural landscapes, and our farming communities.
Cr Makin said implications for Council include a reduction in local influence and community input, risks to the viability of agricultural land and rural amenity, threats to social cohesion and trust in government, strain on public infrastructure including roads; and financial and resource impacts for Council and the community.
"Agriculture will always be our top priority. It is our main industry, major employer and economic driver, and it is really important there are measures in place to protect it over the long-term."
"Council will likely make yet another submission to DTP in relation to this new application.
"Based on past experience, reviewing hundreds of pages of documents and preparing a submission could cost thousands of dollars of ratepayers money and take staff away from other business.
"Continuing to make submissions and reminding the Minister of the importance of agriculture is central to Council's commitment to supporting, protecting and advocating for agricultural activity in our region."
RE Futures' information sessions will be at Terang Civic Hall on Tuesday 21 October and Monday 27 October from 6-7:30 pm.
