Locals left devastated as Allan Government signs off on Kiewa Valley battery project from China

The Nationals' Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, has joined Senator Bridget McKenzie in Dederang today to stand alongside disheartened locals, following the announcement of a $453 million battery storage facility in the Kiewa Valley.

Mr McCurdy said the community was devastated to learn of the approval, not from their Premier in person, but by postcard from China, where Jacinta Allan made the announcement while promoting her “China strategy”.

“Locals deserved honesty and respect. Instead, the Premier could not even look them in the eye when delivering this news. That is appalling behaviour,” Mr McCurdy said.

Residents raised deep concerns about the project’s impact on farming land, the environment, fire risks, and local property values. Many feel ignored after voicing ongoing opposition to a similar project in Dederang, earlier this year.

“Community members have told us they feel sick, gutted, and completely shut out of the process. These are real families who have spent generations in this valley, and their voices have been dismissed.”

Mr McCurdy said today’s meeting highlighted the overwhelming distress in the community, with locals questioning why the State Government is prioritising foreign deals over the wellbeing of North East Victorians.

“The Allan Labor Government talks about jobs and investment, but at what cost? This project will create only a handful of ongoing positions, while placing enormous risk on the community. Locals deserve far better than to be treated as an afterthought.”

Mr McCurdy vowed to continue raising these concerns in Parliament and to hold the Allan Government accountable for its disregard of regional Victorians.