JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
TIM McCURDY MP – STATE MEMBER FOR OVENS VALLEY
CR DEAN REES – MAYOR OF THE RURAL CITY OF WANGARATTA
The Allan Labor Government has been caught out deceiving locals on their right to appeal renewable energy projects under Labor’s new fast-track laws.
Under the new laws which came into effect on April 1, appeals against a Minister’s approval can only be made to the Supreme Court on a point of law.
This means that locals who have genuine concerns about these projects will not only have their voices silenced, but their rights to a merits review of the Minister’s decision completely taken away.
Nationals Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, said he was outraged at the lack of transparency this will deliver.
“I am outraged that Jacinta Allan thinks they continue to erode the rights of residents and local communities in the planning stage,” Mr McCurdy said.
“Once again we have seen Labor decide to consolidate power and reduce transparency.”
“And once again, regional Victoria is the one experiencing the brunt of these changes.”
Mayor of the Rural City of Wangaratta, Dean Rees, said that he was disappointed to see local government continue to be pushed out of the planning process.
“Local governments are an integral part of the planning process, we know our communities and what projects will work in our regions,” Cr Rees said.
“The Government is ripping the democracy out of planning and telling locals that they know what is best for our communities.”
“It also begs the question; what other planning controls are the Government going to take away from local councils? When will it stop?”
Spokesman for Meadow Creek Agricultural Community Action Group, John Conroy, said he was extremely concerned about Australia’s future.
“We’re definitely concerned about the future of our children, and Australia, because our children are the next generation,” Mr Conroy said.
“They are the people who are going to step up and do the work and produce the food.”
“Without them and the food for Australia, we are not going to be able to feed the nation nor export it for income.”
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