Coalition renewables policy: Extend wind farm buffer to 2kms

A Victorian Coalition Government would ban turbines within 2kms of homes and reinstate third-party appeal rights, if elected in 2026.

The Victorian Coalition wants to ban wind turbines within 2kms of homes and reinstate third-party appeal rights against renewable projects.

Victorian Opposition leader John Pesutto has promised to “bring back balance to the rollout of renewable energy”, if elected in 2026.

Under sweeping reforms proposed this week, Mr Pesutto said a Liberal-Nationals Coalition Government would ban wind turbines within 2kms of homes, reinstate third-party appeal rights against renewable developments and force the minister to refer all major transmission and large-scale wind and solar projects to an independent planning panel for assessment.

“A Pesutto Liberals and Nationals Government will reinstate the third-party appeal rights (to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) that Labor stripped from regional communities,” he said. “It is unfair and anti-democratic to deny those who are directly affected by these major projects from having a say.”

The Coalition has also promised to:

ESTABLISH setbacks for overhead lines to minimise visual and environmental impact.

INSIST on proper assessment of impact of low emission technology zones and transmission lines on agricultural land prior to planning and other approvals.

SUPPORT detailed independent examination and economic assessment of the impact of the proposed transmission lines on agricultural production (including on individual properties) prior to the granting of any permits or the signing of deals with landholders.

SUPPORT the development of exclusion zones for areas of high impact and high visual significance, appointing an advisory panel to develop protections for important visual and landscape values.

In a win for farmers, Nationals leader Peter Walsh said the Coalition would also ensure developers put money aside to ensure all decommissioned projects were fully cleaned up and restored.

He said a “proper security-bond scheme would operate to ensure the proponent was responsible for land that was impacted and that it could be fully cleaned up and restored after decommissioning”.

Victoria’s Earth Resources Regulator already demands the mining sector set aside rehabilitation bonds, but up until now the Victorian Labor Government has refused to extend the policy to the renewables’ sector.

Mr Walsh said the Coalition’s announcements were all about “putting locals first in the transition to renewables.”

“This policy also means communities will be protected from carpetbaggers, who for their own personal gain, want to get approval then flip the projects to buyers unknown to the community.”

The Coalition supports Victoria’s legislated renewable energy targets of a 40 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and 50 per cent by 2030.

Mr Pesutto said “we support the transition away from coal however this must occur in close consultation with regional communities”.