Yes 2 Renewables welcomes the Napthine government’s extension to the moratorium on fracking. The measure is a good first step toward a total ban that will protect farming communities, agricultural land and our environment.

Now that the Napthine government is making energy policy in the interest of the community, it can take another look at its anti-wind farm laws.

Planning amendments made by Premier Baillieu and endorsed by Dr Napthine ban wind farms in the windiest parts of the state.

It makes sense to ban polluting energy sources such as unconventional gas. What doesn’t make sense are laws that prevent clean renewable energy sources from coming online.

Friends of the Earth estimate the Victorian government’s anti-wind farm laws have cost the state:

• 488 MW of clean renewable energy generation capacity.
• Over $2.4 million of drought-proof income for farmers each year.
• 540 construction jobs and 69 ongoing jobs.
• $11.7 million in economic benefit to regional economies.
• Over $579,784 per year in rate payments to local councils.

There’s huge potential for wind energy in Victoria. The sector promises jobs, drought-proof income for farming communities, and action on climate change. It’s time for Napthine to restore fair laws for wind farms and lock in these benefits.

Last month the Victorian Labor party committed to “rip up” the state’s anti-wind farm laws. The pressure is mounting on the Napthine government to follow suit.

Victoria has locked the gate on fracking. Now it’s time to open up the state for renewables.

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TO: premier@dpc.vic.gov.au

CC: Leigh.Ewbank@foe.org.au

Lock the gate on fracking, open it to renewables. 

The Hon. Premier Dr Denis Napthine Member for South West Coast,

I welcome your decision to extend the moratorium on fracking in Victoria.

It makes sense to ban polluting energy sources such as unconventional gas and coal—both of which risks our land, our water and our health. What doesn’t make sense are laws that prevent clean renewable energy sources from coming online.

Amendments to the planning scheme made by your predecessor, former Premier Ted Baillieu, have stalled the wind energy sector’s development—costing Victoria jobs and investment. A Friends of the Earth report found the revised wind-farm guidelines have cost Victoria:

• 488 MW of clean renewable energy generation capacity.
• Over $2.4 million of drought-proof income for farmers each year.
• 540 construction jobs and 69 ongoing jobs.
• $11.7 million in economic benefit to regional economies.
• Over $579,784 per year in rate payments to local councils.

Two thirds of Victoria’s wind energy is now generated in your electorate. As the local member for one of Australia’s best wind energy regions, you will be keenly aware of how much the sector benefits the community.

We urge you to rewrite your government’s wind farm planning guidelines, and unlock jobs and investment for the southwest.

Inaction on this front will result in job opportunities, investment and income for farmers and local Councils continuing to move west to South Australia—a state with fair and balanced planning guidelines for wind farms.

Kind regards,