General News
31 January, 2025
Council's position report on mining, renewables and transmission lines endorsed
At Yarriambiack's first council meeting for 2025, councillors endorsed the 'Yarriambiack Shire Council's Position on Mining, Renewables and Transmission Lines' report.
The report outlines that council understands and recognises the community "angst and division" that mining, renewable energy and transmission distribution developments have caused within the shire and region.
"We will continue to advocate for legislative reforms to ensure that community members residing close to mining, transmission, and renewable energy infrastructure are considered, and their health, wellbeing, and the social cohesion of our community are taken into account," it read.
The in depth report shows council's statement for each subject, who approves the projects and the current community sentiment.
“The Government and multinational companies seem to be intent with forcing renewable energy, transmission lines and mineral sands mining upon our rural communities all at the same time," councillor Corinne Heintze said.
"However, they are three separate subjects with their own legislation, implications for farm land and possible outcomes.
"There’s so much distrust, growing anger and frustration within our communities and rumours about so we, as council, have put together this document which explains where council stands and what council can do and cannot do."
The final page of the report states that the "document is dynamic, as both Government policies and corporate strategies are subject to change".
"It’s not going to please everybody but it gives us very strong ideas on what should be a fairer outcome if we all work together," Cr Heintze said.
Council's position statement on renewable energy, which includes wind and solar, states that they ask "that Clause 52.32 of the Victorian Planning Provisions be amended to prohibit the location of turbines within one kilometre of a neighbouring property boundary, and to restore the previously removed buffer of two kilometres between the location of a turbine and an existing dwelling on neighbouring properties; and that Clause 35.07 (Farming Zone) removes the requirement for a permit for accommodation within one kilometre of a wind energy facility."
They also asked for a return to the right for individuals to "redress through VCAT" and for a significant bond covering the full decommissioning cost to be paid within the first five years of the project.
With transmission distribution lines, council states that they do not support compulsory acquisition of farmland or unnecessary destruction of native vegetation and when compulsory acquisition is not an option and private transmission lines are negotiated, council will reserve its rights to approve road reserves for the hosting of monopoles.
Council has asked for State legislative reforms that acknowledge the significance of intergenerational ties to the land mineral sands mining is proposed.
They have also asked for a limit on the number of mines that can be approved in one area and for royalties from the mining to be put straight back into the region it came from.
To view the full report visit https://www.yarriambiack.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/State-Projects
The report will also be used for advocacy with State and Federal members of Parliament.