Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell and state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland condemned the government for dismissing concerns and approving the 606-hectare project on Thursday, June 5, despite its potential impact on agriculture.
“This (decision) is heartbreaking for the local communities and all who want to see prime agricultural land protected for food production,” Mr Birrell said.
“Renewable energy has its place in Australia, but not on prime agricultural land and communities such as Colbinabbin must be respected — that has not happened in this case.”
“This approval is a devastating blow to the Colbinabbin community,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Locals have been clear from the start that this project is not welcome, yet this government has chosen to ignore them.”
Both MPs criticised the government’s management of renewable projects, highlighting that new regulations implemented in 2024 now allowed these projects to circumvent panel processes and third-party appeals.
“In scrapping the VCAT appeals process, the Victorian Government has done away with due process in a way that sets dangerous precedents for the rule of law, fairness and responsible use of power by the government in our state,” Mr Birrell said.
“Our planning system is broken. It allows distant decision-makers to impose massive developments on people who have everything to lose and no power to stop it,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Our communities deserve a say in their future. They deserve to be respected, not ignored.”
The Free Press contacted Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny’s office for comment but received no response.
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