Bizarre sight as farmers storm Melbourne on tractors

Residents have been left baffled as an unexpected convoy made it way through one of Australia’s largest cities.

Tractors rolled through Melbourne’s CBD on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling.

Melbourne commuters were left shocked after dozens of trucks drove through peak hour traffic to voice their frustrations against Labor’s renewable energy plans.

The rally, which included a convoy of 50 trucks, saw hundreds of farmers descend on state parliament to oppose new power lines being built in the state’s west.

Rural farmer Billy Baldwin drove 300 kilometres to join the action.

“People need to realise renewables will carve up prime agricultural land,” Mr Baldwin said.

“It will decrease our efficiency to farm and feed people – resulting in higher grocery prices,”

Today’s protest was part of a bid led by rural farmers to axe Labor’s plans to build 28,000 kilometres of power lines from western Victoria to southern NSW.

David Littleproud has pushed for an inquiry into the building of power lines across Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling.

The project, estimated to cost nearly $11bn, was formed under the Albanese government’s plan to reach 82 per cent renewables by 2050.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said the “reckless” policy could have consequences for the nation’s agriculture sector.

“We are not against renewables, but Labor is threatening to take away the tools our farmers need to provide Australians with fresh, healthy and affordable food,” he said.

“Farmers are becoming increasingly anxious about the situation – which is why they have come to Parliament House to plead with the state Labor Government.”

Farmers claim they were not properly consulted on government plans to build new power lines on their land. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling.

The government said it had expanded funding to the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC) to better hear out rural farmers concerns, who will report to Energy Minister Chris Bowen later this year.

The Labor minister said he was open to having “a proper conversation with the community.”

“The Albanese Government knows how critical community support is for the delivery of renewable energy infrastructure upgrades and new developments – that’s why we have commissioned a review” Mr Bowen said.

Originally published as Bizarre sight as farmers storm Melbourne on tractors