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Response

Where to from here and what we are asking from our community.

Where to from here?

Renewable Energy is intermittent, unreliable and isn't 'green' or 'clean'; it is environmentally, economically and socially damaging. It can never be our baseload power source; it can only ever supplement it. It won't reduce emissions or power bills - the only way this can be done is by introducing a nuclear energy industry in Australia.

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Until nuclear energy can be developed and utilised in Australia, we cannot afford to transition away from coal. We must instead maintain and upgrade coal-fired power stations, and existing transmission infrastructure to strengthen our network, and continue to utilise gas and existing renewable energy facilities. 

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There should also be a focus on producing power close to where it is consumed, as opposed to transmitting it, which is an outdated inefficient and damaging process.

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With this in mind, we are calling on the Victorian and Federal governments to:  

Shelve current energy policy and create a NATIONAL ENERGY PLAN that minimises the impact on our communities, the environment and agriculture, and that builds capacity, reliability and affordability within our electricity network. This plan should be built on transitioning to NUCLEAR, beginning with REMOVING THE MORATORIUM.​

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Re-in state and stop taking away our democratic rights (Ministerial Orders VNI West, and fast-tracking of renewable projects - Vic Gov)

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Immediately pause all planned RE facilities and new transmission projects in Australia until a new National Energy Plan is developed.

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Urgently upgrade/maintain current transmission infrastructure and coal and gas plants.

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Create stringent NATIONAL REGULATIONS for the Renewable Energy Industry, similar to those governing the mining and agriculture industries, with a specific focus on ensuring: 

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  • Affected residents' health and wellbeing, and their right to the use and enjoyment of their land is adequately protected.

  • Prime agricultural land, and thus food and fibre production are adequately protected.

  • Landscape is adequately protected in terms of, flooding, biodiversity and scenic value. 

  • developers are responsible for decommissioning and rehabilitation at the end of the project's life.

  • Social licence is required for approval.

  • Engagement by RE proponents with affected communities is genuine.

  • Thresholds and cumulative impacts within regions/areas should be considered.

  • Proponent commissioned data must be more heavily scrutinised.

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In relation to the Campbells Bridge Project specifically, we have requested that RWE, the government and local council do the following (respectively):

  • Facilitate an independent hydrological study of the proposed project area.

  • Abandon the project due to planning concerns.

  • Give buffer zones of at least 5km from dwellings and ensure that the 1km exclusion zone be in the hosts' boundary - not the neighbours.

  • Ensure the project undergoes an EES.

  • Ensure that RWE engage genuinely with affected communities in terms of information sharing and implementing feedback.

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What we ask of the community

  • Engage with information on the potential impact of RE projects.

  • Seek independent legal advice.

  • Sign nothing.

  • Speak with your neighbours and consider the impact of the proposed project on them and their proximity to turbines.

  • Speak with your accountant. Tax implications mean the incentives offered is not the final figure that will be received. Refer to Peter Knights’ letter.

  • Consider the agenda of the windfarm representatives when you are interacting with them. 

  • Be cautious about allowing companies to conduct studies on your property.

  • Speak to people who have experience living with windfarms. Ask them what has happened to their community, their health, and the impact on their lifestyle. 

  • Consider the Australian Government, Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner’s (Andrew Dyer) guide ‘Considerations for Landholders before entering into Commercial Agreements’ January 2023, which outlines bigger picture considerations.

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