Member for Mildura Jade Benham has condemned the State Government’s proposed National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025, warning it strips regional landholders of basic property rights.
The local member says under the Bill, authorised officers would be given extraordinary powers, including the use of force to enter farmland, the authority to cut locks, open gates, and remove any obstacles in their path to push through energy transmission projects.
Landholders who refuse could face fines of up to $12,210 and for businesses up to $48,842.
Other offences include failing to provide identification or interfering with notices of entry.
“This is a government telling regional Victorians they no longer have control over their own land,” Ms Benham said.
“Instead of working with farmers and property owners, Labor wants to intimidate them with threats of forced entry and fines.
“This is not consultation. It’s coercion.”
Ms Benham said the Liberals and Nationals will oppose the Bill and fight to restore fairness for regional Victorians, including reinstating landholders’ appeal rights through VCAT and introducing a 2km buffer zone between homes and wind turbines.
