Farmers, rural Victorians protest against Jacinta Allan at Bendigo

Hundreds of farmers have rallied in Bendigo to protest against the Western Renewables Link, VNI West and proposed mineral sands mines.

Hundreds of farmers have rallied in Bendigo to urge Premier Jacinta Allan to rethink the Victorian Government’s approach to renewable and mining development.

More than 400 farmers and rural residents took part in the rally within the Premier’s Bendigo East electorate, ahead of Ms Allan’s presentation to a Rural Press Club of Victoria function.

Ms Allan was flanked by farmers and needed a police escort as she attempted to leave the site via vehicle following her presentation.

Two controversial projects- AusNet’s Western Renewables Link and VNI West- were the main sources of frustration for protesters, who said their concerns about the large-scale power projects were being ignored by Spring Street.

Wallaloo sheep farmer Ben Duxson was one of the key organisers.

A group of Southern Wimmera farmers. Picture: David Geraghty

He said the strong attendance by rural residents showed there was widespread opposition to the Western Renewables Link and VNI West.

“The government feels it can just give a green light to these billion dollar projects and override the wishes of the people impacted by these developments,” Mr Duxson said.

“We held this rally to show the Premier and the rest of the government that our views do matter, these projects are unwanted and they need to start treating regional Victoria with way more respect.”

Farmers protest outside Rural Press Club of Victoria lunch with Jacinta Allan event. Picture: Alex Sinnott

The Premier told the Rural Press Club the projects were needed to boost Victoria’s renewable energy output in the coming decades.

“In terms of transmission lines, firstly it’s important to have an opportunity where people can have their say in a peaceful and respectful way,” Ms Allan said.

“I do respectfully disagree with the argument prosecuted that (the government is not listening to concerns). I say that because rural and regional communities, primary producers are the most exposed to the negative effects of a changing climate.”

Grain Growers Australia director Andrew Weidemann said the Allan Government had become more pro-mining than its rhetoric suggested.

“With mining, we’ve got the situation of prime agricultural land being torn up, used and abused by government and mining corporations, and once that farmland is gone it’s gone. That’s it,” Mr Weidemann said.

Wimmera and central Victorian farmers were one of the most prominent communities represented at the rally.

St Arnaud resident Bernie Casey said the AusNet and VNI projects were being rammed through country communities with little consultation.

“These big corporations are making their decisions in Collins Street and wherever else- behind a city desk- hundreds of miles away from the people whose lives they are up-ending,” he said. “We’re protesting because the government is on their side, they aren’t even pretending to listen.”