Communities across regional Victoria are increasingly concerned about the Allan Labor Government's approach to rolling out renewable energy projects without properly considering the long-term impact on agriculture and food production.
Under a Liberal and Nationals Government, independent agricultural and economic impact assessments will become mandatory as part of the approvals process for major renewable energy projects and transmission developments to ensure prime farmland is protected.
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Danny O'Brien, said protecting Victoria's food and fibre production must be a priority.
"Our farmers are the backbone of our state, and the Liberals and Nationals will stand up to protect the prime agricultural land that underpins our food security and regional economies," Mr O'Brien said.
"Victorian families rely on our farmers to put food on their tables and clothes on their backs. We must get the land-use balance right so farmers can continue to do what they do best."
Mr O'Brien said communities had been left frustrated by Labor's failure to properly consult or consider the cumulative impact of large-scale developments across regional Victoria.
"Renewable energy projects and transmission lines have highlighted the growing concern that Labor is steamrolling regional communities and putting productive farmland at risk."
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Emma Kealy, said the Liberals and Nationals will restore respect for farmers and ensure agriculture is properly considered in planning decisions.
"Labor has ignored the impact that large-scale wind, solar and transmission developments are having across farming regions," Ms Kealy said.
"The Liberals and Nationals will ensure agricultural impacts are properly assessed, just as environmental and cultural impacts are currently required to be considered.
"This policy complements our previously announced commitment to overturn Labor's changes that ride roughshod over community consultation. Instead, we will give farmers their voice back by restoring their ability to challenge inappropriate developments through VCAT, rather than forcing landholders into long, complex and expensive legal battles.
"This is about restoring fairness, transparency and proper community scrutiny to planning decisions that directly affect Victoria's food security and regional livelihoods."
Shadow Minister for Energy, David Davis, said renewable energy development must be balanced with protecting communities and regional industries.
"Renewable energy has an important role to play in Victoria's energy future, but projects must also have social and economic licence," Mr Davis said.
"Our policy will ensure renewable energy developments and transmission infrastructure are subject to rigorous, independent assessment before they proceed, protecting farming communities and prime agricultural land."
