The proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone has been scrapped after a successful campaign by Dookie residents.
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A community campaign to protect prime agricultural farmland in Dookie and surrounding areas has succeeded in forcing the Victorian Government to abolish the proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone.
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Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell last week led a debate in parliament on the petition tabled on August 11, bearing 11,760 signatures of Victorians calling on the government to remove the eastern section of the Central North Renewable Energy Zone from the 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan.
During the debate it was announced that the Minister for Energy had confirmed that the proposed Central North Renewable Energy Zone would not proceed and confirmed the decision applied to both eastern and western sections.
The draft Central North Renewable Energy Zone was originally a very large area between Bendigo and Shepparton, but VicGrid has responded to feedback by making the zone smaller.
To compensate for the area lost in the western section, a new eastern section of the zone was approved for inclusion in the final Victorian Transmission Plan, running from Pine Lodge near Shepparton to Glenrowan.
Ms Lovell said it was done without any warning or consultation.
Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell is not recontesting her seat in the upcoming Victorian election.
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She said a tenacious group of residents from Dookie and surrounding areas refused to take the decision lying down, demanding accountability from VicGrid and driving a passionate a campaign to gather thousands of signatures on a petition and bring the issue to parliament.
“I congratulate the people within the Central North Renewable Energy Zone who stood up for what is right,” she said.
“Without their determination, Labor would have pushed ahead with the zone, but instead the community has forced the government to fold.
“This is a real win for people power.
“I am delighted to have been able to assist these communities by being their voice in Parliament and a conduit to government. This win is a magnificent way to conclude my parliamentary career.”
Ms Lovell announced earlier this year that she would no recontest the November election.
