Agriculture
16 December, 2025
Farmers given just days on federal application
BOORT districts farmers have only days to comment on an Environmental and Biosecurity Conservation Act assessment for the proposed Meering West wind farm with up to 164 turbines.
Submissions close next Tuesday after a fortnight was allowed for consultation for the Federal Government process.
Meering West wind farm also has an application for a planning permit under the Victorian Governments fast-track development facilitation program, opponents of the plan say.
Farmers said they had been forced to interrupt harvest to “get the head around” the federal application.
“We have to be a voice for our local environment as we know the Government isn’t going to be,” said Tyler Nelson.
Some farmers have expressed concerns around the project’s potential impacts on the Boort and Kerang lakes systems.
Meering West also wants to install a Installation and operation of a 1,000 MWh / 500 MW battery energy storage system.
A spokesperson for the Meering West project said: ““It is important to notify community members about the EPBC Act referral, as this process provides 10 business days for comment. The referral is required to determine whether federal assessment and approval is required.”
The company did not respond to questions on its engagement and promotion of plans and approval processes with Loddon Shire communities.
However, the EPBC application says there have been community information sessions in Kerang and Quambatook. The company application also said it had consulted with Loddon Shire Council.
Shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald said representatives of Virya Energy Pty Ltd briefed the previous council in August 2024 regarding their proposed project.
“Loddon Shire provided a submission to the draft renewable energy zones in June 2025. As part of this submission and also the submission in response to proposals regarding VNI West, Council has publicly outlined that it expects communities impacted by renewable energy transmission to be meaningfully consulted,” he said.
Read More: Berrimal, Boort