The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the release of VicGrid’s Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines represents a long-overdue acknowledgement of issues farmers and regional communities have been raising for years, but falls well short of delivering the binding protections landholders need.
VFF President Ryan Milgate said the guidelines contain improvements that the VFF has consistently advocated for, but ultimately fails when it comes to delivering the iron-clad protections needed.
“We obviously welcome any move that strengthens the position of farmers dealing with renewable energy developers at their gate and this is a small step in the right direction.”
“However, the guidelines are long on expectations and short on obligations. At this stage there is no clear enforcement mechanism, no compliance framework and no meaningful consequences for developers who fail to meet these expectations. We’re told those teeth will be added at some point in the future, but that doesn’t fill us with confidence.”
“People ultimately want a guarantee that projects won’t proceed if communities aren’t treated with respect. What’s on the table here doesn’t give us that guarantee,” Mr Milgate said.
Mr Milgate added that there remains a mountain of work to do to regain the trust of regional communities after years of broken promises and coercion.
“The horse has already bolted on many of these issues. Farmers and regional communities have spent years raising concerns about transparency, consultation and fairness. Releasing non-binding guidelines now will do little to rebuild confidence and it’s a long road back.”
The VFF also pointed out that the substance of the Guidelines continues to fall short in key areas.
“The standard we sought on issues like insurance liability, putting a dollar value on community benefits, and decommissioning hasn’t been met. On many of these issues we’re told ‘more work is underway’, despite us being years into the transition and communities reaching breaking point.”
“Farmers won’t forget that at this very moment AusNet is trying to compulsory acquire land for the WRL project despite a shocking track record in communities. These guidelines and promises of future work are seemingly worthless to those communities where the damage is already being done” Mr Milgate said.
Mr Milgate also questioned the proposed three-year review period for the guidelines.
“The rapid pace of renewable energy and transmission development across Victoria means a three-year review is far too long. Annual reviews for at least the next three to five years would give us the chance to strengthen the rules and keep pace with the scale of development.”
“It boils down to Victorian farmers deserving certainty, accountability and enforceable standards. These guidelines are a start, but the government has been too slow to act and continues to fall behind when it only partially takes on the genuine concerns expressed by communities and the VFF. They are far from the comprehensive reforms needed to restore confidence from farmers and regional communities in the firing line.”