Farmers to rally against $12k land access fines

Victorians are due to rally on Parliament’s steps, in a bid to stop laws imposing penalties on anyone blocking transmission companies from entering their land.

Farmers will once again rally in the steps of the Victorian Parliament to defend their right to block tranmission companies entering their land.

About 1000 farmers and supporters are expected to rally at Victorian Parliament’s steps Wednesday, in a bid to stop legislation that imposes penalties of up to $12,210 on landholders who block transmission companies’ access to their properties.

Rally co-ordinator Andrew Weidemann said 24 regional groups were set to join the protest as part of the recently formed Across Victoria Alliance, including those opposed to their land being dug up for minerals, 500kV transmission lines and 80m towers carving up their properties and the Allan government’s emergency services volunteer fund levy.

He said the alliance had already received 120,000 views on the Facebook page set up on July 16 and was gaining more support as all Victorians realised what impact the government was having on their hip pockets and rights.

The Facebook page includes an impassioned plea from Wimmera-Mallee Environmental and Agricultural Protection Association president Ross Johns opposing the Allan government’s $12,210 penalty and accusing it of running an authoritarian regime worse than China’s.

“Is Victoria really being called South Quangzhou,” Mr Johns said. “I think this is very serious and every Australian should be very concerned at the impact on free speech and the freedoms Australians hold very dear.”

The government’s Bill also grants authorised officers the power to force their way onto properties, by cutting locks and forcing open gates.

Debate on the National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025 was due to resume in Parliament’s Lower House on Tuesday, where it is likely to pass on the back of the Allan government’s majority, before being sent to the Upper House.

While this week’s rally is focused on landholder rights, Mr Weidemann said the alliance had gained widespread support from people across metropolitan Melbourne, who were only now discovering how much they would have to pay in emergency services tax on their 2025-26 rates notices.

“They’re (Victorians) opening up their rate notices as we speak, and you can expect a lot of angst,” Mr Weidemann said.

The government has hit businesses hardest, doubling the emergency services tax they pay from 66.4 cents per $1000 of their property’s capital improved value to 133c/$1000 of CIV, while the residential rate has gone from 8.7c to 17.3c/$1000 CIV.

Originally published as Farmers to rally against $12k land access fines