An elected Liberals and Nationals Coalition Government will repeal compulsory land acquisition laws and restore independent appeal rights for major energy transmission projects, The Nationals’ candidate for Gippsland East Gemma Rendell has announced.
The policy pledge aims to reinstate landholder protections by allowing regional property owners to challenge major infrastructure decisions through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Under the Coalition’s proposal, state legislation that permits farmland to be compulsorily acquired for transmission corridors prior to the finalisation of environmental assessments, including Environmental Effects Statements, would be scrapped.
Ms Rendell said local property owners and primary producers across Gippsland and regional Victoria remain deeply concerned by administrative decisions being made over their land without sufficient legal avenues for recourse.
“Farmers and regional communities deserve to be heard before decisions are made that affect their land, their livelihoods, and their future,” Ms Rendell said.
“Labor stripped away an important safeguard for regional Victorians. We believe landholders deserve an independent umpire when decisions of this magnitude are being made.”
While acknowledging the role of renewable energy in Victoria’s future energy mix, Ms Rendell emphasised that transmission infrastructure must be delivered with proper community consultation and respect for host regions.
“Regional Victorians should never feel like they are being dictated to by Melbourne,” she said.
“We support sensible development, but it must be accompanied by proper environmental assessment, genuine community consultation, and fair legal protections for those directly affected.”
The Coalition maintains the policy will restore balance to the state planning system and guarantee a fair legal framework for primary producers and rural communities facing major infrastructure developments.
