PROPOSED renewable energy zones for Victoria released late Friday afternoon could see prime agricultural land turned into wind and solar farms.
Areas within kilometres of Boort have been included in the north-west zone under the draft Victorian Transmission Plan.
The plan also proposes doubling the existing capacity of the Bendigo-Kerang transmission line by 2035.
Prairie West’s Donald McGauchie said that planning should have been extended to other existing lines in Victoria.
He questioned the inclusion of high value agricultural country, including in the region between Bendigo and Shepparton, when more marginal land would make more sense for use by renewable energy companies.
Mr McGauchie said the draft plan could revive plans by Pacific Blue for a 250-megawatt solar farm at Prairie West.
“The zones show some of Victoria’s best agricultural land being in the proposed zones,” Mr Gauchie said.
“But those zones don’t include between Bendigo and Kerang ... it’s encouraging the existing Bendigo-Kerang line is listed for a doubling of capacity but then, why isn’t the line between Bendigo and Ballarat.
“The draft transmission plan is interesting and a typical government document - full of contradictions.”
The plan has seven proposed renewable energy zones, and the transmission projects VicGrid says are needed to support the transition to renewable energy over the next 15 years.
“If you’re a landholder in a renewable energy zone, you can choose whether to host new wind or solar farms on your property - it’s your decision and we encourage landholders to discuss this with their neighbours. All proposed projects will continue to be subject to planning and environmental approval processes,” VicGrid said.
“Where possible, VicGrid will investigate the use of or expansion of existing easements for any new transmission lines.”
However, Loddon Mayor Dan Straub said he feared the plan would pit neighbours against each other and “the corporate structures of farming against the family structures”.
“Unfortunately, the north-west zone is in prime agricultural country and there are long-term concerns for the impact on food production,” he said.
“There is also the concerns that a neighbour of a future renewable energy project could see their own productivity and land values diminished.”
VicGrid CEO Alistair Parker said: “The transition to renewable energy will benefit all Victorians and boost regional economies, but it needs to be done right with long-term planning, certainty for industry, genuine consultation and real benefits for host communities, landholders and First Peoples.”