“We obviously welcome any move that strengthens the position of farmers dealing with renewable energy developers at their gate and this is a small step in the right direction,” he said.
“However, the guidelines are long on expectations and short on obligations. At this stage there is no clear enforcement mechanism, no compliance framework and no meaningful consequences for developers who fail to meet these expectations.
“We’re told those teeth will be added at some point in the future, but that doesn’t fill us with confidence. People ultimately want a guarantee that projects won’t proceed if communities aren’t treated with respect. What’s on the table here doesn’t give us that guarantee.”
Mr Milgate said there remained a mountain of work to do to regain the trust of regional communities after years of broken promises and coercion.
“The horse has already bolted on many of these issues. Farmers and regional communities have spent years raising concerns about transparency, consultation and fairness,” he said.
“Releasing non-binding guidelines now will do little to rebuild confidence and it’s a long road back.”
The VFF also pointed out the substance of the guidelines continues to fall short in key areas.
“The standard we sought on issues like insurance liability, putting a dollar value on community benefits, and decommissioning hasn’t been met,” Mr Milgate said.
“On many of these issues we’re told ‘more work is underway’, despite us being years into the transition and communities reaching breaking point. Farmers won’t forget that at this very moment AusNet is trying to compulsorily acquire land for the WRL project despite a shocking track record in communities.
“These guidelines and promises of future work are seemingly worthless to those communities where the damage is already being done.”
Mr Milgate also questioned the proposed three-year review period for the guidelines.
“The rapid pace of renewable energy and transmission development across Victoria means a three-year review is far too long,” he said.
“Annual reviews for at least the next three to five years would give us the chance to strengthen the rules and keep pace with the scale of development. It boils down to Victorian farmers deserving certainty, accountability and enforceable standards.
“These guidelines are a start, but the government has been too slow to act and continues to fall behind when it only partially takes on the genuine concerns expressed by communities and the VFF.
“They are far from the comprehensive reforms needed to restore confidence from farmers and regional communities in the firing line.”
Ms D’Ambrosio said the transition to renewable energy was expected to deliver major benefits for regional communities, with up to $2.3-billion in direct financial benefits from renewable and transmission projects throughout the next 25 years in Victoria.
She said regional communities would see benefits in the short term, with about $75-million in individual project benefits expected to flow to communities over the next 12 months from both transmission and renewable energy.
“We’re making sure communities get direct benefits from the projects they host,” she said.
“Supporting the renewable transition not only means lower power bills for Victorians but thousands of regional jobs and billions of dollars of investment and community benefits.”
Ms D’Ambrosio said renewable energy development would also provide significant opportunities to local businesses and economies, with Victoria’s energy sector projected to need about 68,000 workers by 2040.
An update on the Victorian Access Regime will be released soon – aiming to ensure better co-ordination of renewable energy and transmission projects and make sure renewable projects deliver benefits to communities.
Once in operation, all projects applying for access to the grid must meet the new Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines.
For more information people can visit vicgrid.com.au.
The entire July 1, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
