General News
24 February, 2026
Standing room only at Farmers Fight Back
The Marnoo Cricket Club was filled to capacity on Sunday, with attendees standing outside for the Farmers Fight Back meeting. Landholders gathered, farm vehicles circled the oval, a silo hitched to a tractor was towed to the event, and utes displayed signs against mining, transmission lines, and wind turbines on agricultural land lined the entrance.
Guest speakers included Andrew Weiderman AM, Across Victoria Alliance chair; Peter Byrne, a returned serviceman, and his son David, whose farms face mining threats; sheep farmer Ben Duxson representing Farmers Fight Back; and Billy Baldwin, representing young farmers planning to continue family farming.
Farmers Fight Back was launched to bring together and strengthen farmers not only across Victoria but across Australia to protect prime agricultural land from mining, transmission lines, and renewables.
All speakers emphasized that the movement has grown from a local protest into a national campaign.
Peter Byrne, a fourth-generation farmer, described the impact on his family during the past thirty years since mining companies began expressing interest in his farm's minerals.
His son David has joined him, stating they do not intend to yield to the Donald Mine project, which is approaching their farm.
"I won't sell to the mine," Peter said.
"Meetings like this, and the support we have from everyone here helps us keep going."
Ben Duxson, a sixth-generation farmer, joined two hundred others in denying access to transmission line workers on his farm in December 2025, following similar actions by others in previous weeks.
The planned VNI-West transmission line will cross prime agricultural land in Victoria, including the Duxson farm, to connect NSW and South Australia.
Many landowners along the route oppose the project.
Mr Duxson has led the Lock Your Gate campaign, encouraging farmers to support one another and deny access to transmission line workers.
Billy Baldwin's family has owned their land for over 150 years.
He supports the campaign to protect the land he intends to farm for future generations.
The transmission line is planned to cross his family's farm, between two farm houses, and he has no intention of giving up.
Among his concerns is the fire risk.
"The CFA has said they will not come onto properties and fight fires alongside or underneath transmission lines, and as farmers we are semi-isolated, so what hope do we have, especially as we've seen the fires in the region over the past two years," he said.
He also noted that insurance is a major concern for farmers; with increased fire risks and limited support services, obtaining adequate insurance is challenging.
He highlighted what he described as 'divide and conquer' tactics by renewable companies, which have caused divisions among families and communities.
"Our forefathers had to travel on boats to fight to protect our land. We just have to go and stand at our gates, so join with me and stand together," he said,
"I' ll continue to fight this, 10, 20, 30 years," he said.
Landowners along the transmission line route who have not granted access will soon receive letters from Vic Grid requesting entry for ecological surveys.
However, if current sentiments persist, access is likely to be denied.
Farmers and landowners who deny access to transmission line workers for these studies may face fines of up to $12,000 and possible imprisonment.