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Energy

VFF statement: In response to reports of some farmers receiving access notices from Transmission Company Victoria for their land as part of the VNI...

"We’ve consistently told TCV they must take a people-first approach and genuinely engage in a meaningful manner.” “Handing landholders a letter saying they will compulsory access their property to do land surveys flanked by a lawyer is completely tone-deaf and will only further add to mounting opposition to this project.”

Industrial renewables laid bare

The Pyramid Hill was a hive of activity on Sunday as community members from Loddon and Gannawarra Shires gathered to discuss industrial renewable developments openly. The meeting hosted by Loddon Valley Renewables Awareness Group provided an open community forum, something that is avoided at all costs for transmission line and renewable developments, as one speaker framed it, "divide and conquer" is the standard modus operandi.

Timber Towns Victoria welcomes funding

"This funding initiative is an exciting new opportunity for the forestry sector," according to Cr Karen Stephens, president of Timber Towns Victoria and Mayor of Glenelg Shire Council, "ultimately using the whole of the tree and turning what would have been wasted wood fibre into a valuable low-carbon resource for use in other industries."

Buronga substation hailed as one of most sophisticated in Southern Hemisphere

Transgrid says it has unveiled one of the biggest and most sophisticated substations in the Southern Hemisphere, with the completion of the Buronga substation. The completion occurred as powerlines from the new powerline from Buronga to Wagga Wagga were strung across the Cobb Highway between Hay and Deniliquin ...

Queensland leads the charge with Australia’s first vanadium battery supply chain: Bates, Last

...Using vanadium sourced from Julia Creek, the Townsville facility will anchor a pit-to-port product manufacturing chain, supplying vanadium flow batteries for global energy storage markets. The project is expected to support nearly 600 jobs across North and North West Queensland, with early works scheduled for 2026 and operations to commence in early 2028.

Historic off-grid solar system powers NSW mine site in Australian first

A groundbreaking 26-megawatt hybrid renewable energy system has begun full operations at a New South Wales mine site, marking the first time an off-grid solar and battery system has powered a mining operation in the state.

Bill shock for farmers on renewables: NSW Farmers Association

NSW Farmers is calling for urgent protections for farmers who host renewables after the former Energy Infrastructure Commissioner warned farmers could be on the hook for millions in the future. In an interview published on Wednesday, former Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer warned farmers could be left “on the hook” for the costs of decommissioning old renewable installations on their farms, if contracts were unclear on “who pays what”.

VicGrid Bill passes, but fails rural communities: VFF

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has expressed deep disappointment at the passing of the VicGrid Bill through the Legislative Council, warning it grants sweeping powers to the government while doing little to protect farmers and regional communities.

RDA Orana supports the launch of The Energy Charter’s pioneering Regional Energy Collaboration Framework

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana together with The Energy Charter are proud to announce the launch of the innovative Regional Energy Collaboration Framework - a pioneering initiative designed to transform the way energy organisations and regional communities collaborate during Australia’s clean energy transition.

VFF slams VicGrid power play

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has written to state MPs to vote down the contentious VicGrid Amendment Bill that would pave the way for police-backed powers to force entry onto farms and slap landholders with fines of up to $12,100. VFF President Brett Hosking is reiterating previous calls to halt the Bill ahead of it being debated in State Parliament this Thursday.

New data shows emissions down in year to March 2025: Bowen 

Australia is tracking well to meet its 2030 climate pollution target, with new emissions data showing emissions fell by 1.4 per cent or 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the year to March 2025 ... In that period, 440.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions were recorded, which is 28 per cent below 2005 levels...

Smaller government and no net zero – Real roundtable delivers “frank advice”: Canavan

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan’s REAL productivity roundtable has delivered frank advice to lift Australia’s freefalling productivity rate. Senator Canavan convened the real productivity roundtable ... to discuss the real issues impacting Australians’ standard of living.

Farmers say “no!”

Hundreds of farmers at Marnoo today are telling the Victorian Labor Government they do not want VNI West, they do not want WRL and they don't want their farmland made into renewable infrastructure," said Dr Anne Webster MP, Member for Mallee and Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government, Territories and Regional Communications.

Making the most of our offshore energy potential: Bowen

The Albanese Government is supporting the emerging offshore renewable industry to develop new technology and unlock the sector’s full potential. Today we are releasing new guidance to help developers, researchers, scientists and other interested parties apply for Research and Demonstration licences in declared offshore zones, establishing a home for offshore renewables research, as well as commercial generation projects.  

The real productivity roundtable – Labor productivity summit ignores energy elephants in the room: Canavan, Holland

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan and Page Research Centre CEO Gerard Holland have announced today a REAL productivity summit to take place in Canberra alongside the Labor Government’s fake productivity summit.

Reaction to unexpected REZ’s expansion: Council’s deep disappointment

Buloke Shire Council has expressed deep disappointment with the State Government's handling of a major expansion to Victoria's REZs, which now push significantly into Buloke communities. The major extension of the Grampians-Wimmera REZ now extends into Buloke's west near Curyo and Wilkur and the NW REZ has shifted closer to the north-east of Charlton.

WestWind Energy welcomes Victorian Transmission Plan

Victoria's premier wind farm developer, WestWind Energy, welcomes the Victorian State Government's commitment to the renewable energy transition with the release of the Victorian Transmission Plan. WestWind's Managing Director, Tobi Geiger, says "Today's announcement by VicGrid follows months, if not years, of meaningful engagement and considering feedback from many stakeholders.

2025 Victorian Transmission Plan released

VicGrid recently released a long-term strategic plan for the development of Victoria’s renewable energy zones designed to deliver certainty and fairness for communities and industry and keep the lights on as coal-fired power closes down.

Wind farm impacts: a forester finds common ground with environmentalists

Foresters and environmentalists in Australia may not have seen eye to eye of late, but on the subject of forest clearances for large scale renewable energy developments, there are increasing instances where their objections to the consequential impact on the forest make them de facto allies.

Halt to piped gas in the pipeline

Solstice Energy has confirmed the closure of the compressed natural gas (CNG) network in Maldon, which currently services 79 residences and five businesses, saying this will ultimately reduce energy costs for those customers affected.

Powering communities as batteries switch on: Bowen, Koutsantonis

South Australia is powering up, with more than 50 new community batteries being switched on, helping more Australians get solar power into their homes and businesses. The new batteries are being rolled out across Adelaide and regional South Australia, backed by the Albanese Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). 

Time to reopen the Northern Rail Line — and councils must lead the way: Siri Gamage

Dr Siri Gamage. It’s been over three decades since trains last ran north of Armidale toward the Queensland border. But the question is no longer why the Northern Railway Line should be reopened—it’s why not, and when ... Reactivating the disused railway line could deliver enormous benefits for both NSW and Queensland. The infrastructure may be old, but the opportunity is very current ... There are five compelling reasons to revive this corridor ...

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