Wimmera and Mallee farmers have mapped over 600,000 hectares of farmland where landholders have indicated they do not want to be in a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The farmers that are in opposition have had their paddocks marked darkest. The map, which already covers vast amounts of paddocks, is still incomplete but it gives a clear message of community opposition.

Impacted farmers began the mapping to visually represent how unwilling the region was to be placed in a tier one priority area for REZ.

Powerful tool

Marcia McIntyre, a farmer and volunteer behind the map, says that it is a “powerful tool to use with state and federal government,” and that the “map will continue to grow”.

Julie Weir, another farmer and volunteer, said that “this ‘No Renewable Energy Zone Map’ reflects the feelings of those most impacted. It is the voice of grassroots agriculture. The unmarked gaps on the map are either project hosts, potential hosts or farmers who are in the process of sending in their details to us.”

The dark paddocks indicate farmers who do not want to host turbines, solar panels, batteries or transmission lines.

Farmers were invited to participate in the map via phone or approached by volunteers at local drop-in meetings. The current map is the work of hundreds of volunteer hours; consulting with farmers and entering data.

National survey

The findings of the map echo the national survey results published by Farms For Food earlier this year. The survey found that nine out of ten people opposed renewable energy projects on farmland. It also found that 81.9 per cent of neighbours were opposed to renewable energy projects planned or built next to their property.

In Mallee

Due to the proposed VNI-West transmission line the electorate of Mallee has had an influx of new renewable energy projects completed or announced. In December of last year MP Dr Anne Webster cited that there were fifty constructed or planned renewable energy projects, however, more proposed projects have been named since.

Marcia McIntyre said that “protecting our precious food and fibre producing agricultural land and the irreplaceable, resilient and cohesive communities that farms nurture is paramount to the longevity of the agricultural sector and our legacy to our children.”

If you would like to add your paddock to the map you can contact norezinvic@gmail.com.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 11 April 2025.