There’s no shortage of issues within the planning, environment and climate change space at the moment. Read below to see the latest update from the VFF.
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND TRANSMISSION
The VFF is embarking on work to develop proposals to government for a framework that ensure fair compensation for farmers who are forced to host transmission projects, which does not currently exist. The VFF is also engaging directly with renewable energy developers and transmission companies to seek adoption of the land access principles developed by VFF and TasFarmers.
Legislation to establish VicGrid is currently before parliament and VFF is considering amendments required in further tranches to be introduced to parliament later in the year. VFF is collaborating with VicGrid in undertaking strategic agricultural land use assessments across the state to support better planning of projects. The VFF has been a leading voice being critical of the Victorian Government’s announced changes to planning laws to fast-track renewable energy developments.
MINERAL SANDS
VFF is responding to proposed sand mine developments in the Wimmera (Dooen) and the Mallee (Goschen). The VFF conducted a workshop for Mallee farmers taking part in the Environmental Effects (EES) submission process and appeared before the EES panel alongside farmers.
GREEN WEDGES AND AGRICULTURAL LAND ACTION PLAN
Three years after the Green Wedges and Agricultural Plan was promised to be implemented the government has released a future action plan that is the equivalent of shuffling the deck chairs.
Despite two major rounds of consultation and 1,300 submissions it fails to deliver what was promised in 2019 or exhibited in 2020. The VFF will respond to the key issues that must be addressed to deliver a planning system that supports agriculture in Victoria to the parliamentary inquiry into Victoria’s food supply.
PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRIES
The VFF is preparing submissions to upcoming into Victoria’s food supply and climate resilience. The VFF will advocate for actions to protect agricultural land from land use conflict and renew our call for agriculture to be returned to the economic development section of the planning policy framework. We invite members to provide their views directly to the inquiries or through the VFF.