Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), Media Release, 7 November 2025

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the success of a proposed $300 million hot chips processing facility slated for Victoria’s west relies on protecting the farmland that will supply it.

VFF President Brett Hosking welcomed the investment, but questioned the government’s long-term priorities.

“This facility sits within a few hundred metres of the proposed Avonbank Heavy Mineral Sands Project. It is dependent on a constant and reliable supply of production from Victoria’s potato growers, who are currently at risk of having their production impacted by the proposed VNI West transmission project.”

“It relies upon a strong local workforce, which is under pressure from the competing needs of rapidly expanding agricultural success in the region and now you’ve got these proposed new developments. It feels like the coordination of these competing projects is missing?,” Mr Hosking said.

Victorian farmers grow more than 263 thousand tonnes of potatoes annually, making us Australia’s third largest potato growing state in the country and 21 per cent of the $1 billion industry. With both the proposed VNI West and WRL transmission lines cutting swathes through the middle of our potato growers farms, the ability of our farmers to maintain and grow this production is under serious threat.

“It feels like the government is rushing through things without properly thinking through the consequences of their decisions.”   

“We all love salt on our chips, although I feel we’re less keen on a sprinkling of critical minerals.”

“How are we going to protect the development of both these proposals at once? There must be questions whether a mine should be located next to a food manufacturing precinct and existing critical infrastructure such as the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal.”

“We need a much better planning roadmap for Victoria if we are to grow with purpose. It must recognise the significance of our state’s farmers and the land they grow our food and fibre on.” 

“Our farmers are world leaders, producing a massive amount of productivity on such an incredibly small parcel of this nation’s farmland. We must protect it before it’s gone forever,” Mr Hosking said.

The VFF is calling for stronger consultation with affected landholders, clearer planning frameworks, and fair compensation for farmers whose livelihoods will be impacted and the urgent need for an improved land use policy that protects food security while managing resource development responsibly.

Related story: Food manufacturer to chip in $300 million for potato processing plant in Dooen