climate groups and government share an authoritarian bent on wind and solar farm developments

The Victorian government is pushing through laws to force through its renewable energy portfolio.

A key feature of the climate change lobby has always been its authoritarian bent and intolerance of dissenting points of view.

Whether it is building wind farms, eating red meat, flying long distances or choosing how to cook or heat the house, new rules are ­always on the agenda.

The Victorian government’s decision to trample minority rights by removing planning ­panels to force its renewable-­energy agenda without listening to objections is a sign of frustration and demonstration of its unwillingness to be held to ­account.

It is a decision that recognises deep community disquiet about what industrialisation of the rural landscape means to many.

And it reflects the demands of industry that wants government to make sure it gets it way. As the renewable energy roll-out falters, the danger is that state com­pulsion will become the order of the day for both state and federal governments.

The latest figures released by the Clean Energy Council show that investment in large-scale ­renewable energy projects has collapsed at the time it is supposed to be building a head of steam.

The industry response in NSW has been to argue for protections that have been put in place to ­safeguard rural residents from being too close to onshore wind farm developments be redrawn.

There has been a lot of controversy about what is an acceptable distance for people to live from wind turbines. But the World Health Organisation has recognised noise nuisance and a ­Taiwanese study published in Nature in September 2021 concluded that “low-frequency noise from wind turbines is potentially annoying to residents living nearby and affects human health”.

“In view of the adverse health impacts of ­exposure to turbine-generated LFN, it is recommended that the government set regulations on the requisite distances of wind turbines from residences, for houses near wind ­turbines to be equipped with airtight windows for sound insulation, and for residents living in close proximity to wind turbines to have their windows closed most of the time to reduce LFN transmission,” the study said.

Existing setbacks in Australia are generally bigger than required in Taiwan. But these protections must not be lost in the rush to get things done. This includes the rights of nature.

Removing planning panels will take away one of the last remaining avenues for citizens who want to speak out to protect animals and landscapes threatened by ­industrialisation because of renewable energy projects.

The Victorian government’s plan is to accelerate the planning process for renewable energy ­projects by removing the requirement for them to go before a planning panel, and the capacity for third-party appeals to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The government argues the changes will “provide investment certainty” and ensure projects that bring energy prices down will be built faster.

There is a danger that removing proper planning oversight will become the norm for governments everywhere. Don’t expect environment groups to object.

Green campaigners who have glued themselves to pavements or engaged in endless lawfare to ­frustrate projects they do not ­approve of have been missing in action when it comes to protecting communities and natural ­assets threatened by wind and solar farms.

Frustration at the slow pace of change will only exacerbate the green lobby’s authoritarian bent.