By Vaughan Williams, Federal Candidate for Mallee 2025

The Federal and Victorian governments, in their reckless pursuit of a so-called "green agenda," are steamrolling ahead with plans to plaster the Mallee and Wimmera regions with towering wind turbines and sprawling power lines. Projects like the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West), the Wimmera Renewable Energy Solutions (WiRES) transmission line, and the Western Renewables Link are not just an assault on our farmers and their livelihoods—they’re a colossal waste of taxpayers’ money and a betrayal of common-sense energy policy. As your Federal Candidate for Mallee, I stand with our farmers and communities to say: enough is enough.

A Direct Attack on Farmers and Agricultural Land

The Mallee and Wimmera are the breadbasket of Victoria, producing grain, livestock, and other vital commodities that feed our nation and fuel our economy. Yet, these renewable energy schemes threaten to carve up this precious farmland with 80-meter-high transmission towers, 70-meter-wide easements, and hundreds of wind turbines sprawling across tens of thousands of hectares. Projects like the Warracknabeal Energy Park (21,000 hectares) and Cannie Wind Farm (17,870 hectares) will swallow up productive land, making it harder for farmers to operate machinery, manage crops, and sustain their businesses.

The government and energy companies claim farming can continue around this infrastructure, but that’s a hollow promise. The reality is restricted access, disrupted irrigation, and a permanent scar on landscapes our families have tended for generations. Food security is at stake—do we really want to sacrifice our ability to feed ourselves for the sake of unreliable wind power? Farmers aren’t just losing land; they’re losing their way of life, and no amount of compensation—be it $40,000 per turbine or token electricity handouts—can make up for that.

A Waste of Taxpayers’ Money

Billions of dollars are being funnelled into these projects—VNI West alone carries a multi-billion-dollar price tag—while delivering pitiful returns. Wind turbines and their sprawling transmission networks are sold as a solution to our energy needs, but they’re a financial black hole. These turbines last just 20 years before they need replacing, leaving taxpayers on the hook for endless rebuilds. Worse still, the carbon footprint of manufacturing, transporting, and installing them—think concrete foundations, steel towers, and heavy machinery—often outweighs any emissions they claim to offset. This isn’t green; it’s a greenwashed boondoggle, paid for by you and me.

The Real Energy Solution: Coal, Gas, and Nuclear

Australia needs reliable, affordable baseload power—not the intermittent trickle from wind turbines that only spin when the breeze decides to cooperate. Coal and gas have powered our nation for decades, delivering steady, cost-effective energy that keeps the lights on and industries humming. Nuclear power, too, offers a proven, zero-emission alternative that countries like France and Canada have embraced for stable grids. Yet, our governments are obsessed with chasing unreliable renewables, ignoring these sensible options. The result? Skyrocketing energy prices that hit households and businesses hard, all while wind farms produce a fraction of the power we need.

Environmental Destruction, Not Salvation

Don’t be fooled by the “save the planet” rhetoric. Wind turbines are an environmental disaster. They chew up vast swathes of farmland, disrupt ecosystems, and pose a lethal threat to birds and bats—our native wildlife is collateral damage in this green crusade. The Mallee and Wimmera’s unique landscapes will be blighted by industrial monstrosities, visible for miles, while the fire risk from overhead power lines looms large in our dry, bushfire-prone region. And when these turbines reach the end of their short lives, they’re dumped in landfills—hardly the sustainable future we’re promised.

Higher Costs, Lower Returns

Energy prices are climbing, and these renewable projects are a big reason why. The massive upfront costs of wind farms and transmission lines get passed onto consumers, while the power they generate is inconsistent and inadequate. Businesses close, families struggle with bills, and all we get in return is a handful of megawatts when the wind decides to blow. Compare that to coal, gas, or nuclear, which deliver round-the-clock power at a fraction of the long-term cost. This isn’t progress—it’s a step backward, dressed up as innovation.

Standing Up for Mallee

As your Federal Candidate, I’m committed to fighting this madness. We need an energy policy that puts farmers first, protects our agricultural heartland, and respects taxpayers’ hard-earned money. That means scrapping these wasteful renewable projects and investing in reliable baseload power—coal, gas, and nuclear—to keep Australia strong and prosperous. The Mallee deserves better than to be a guinea pig for green ideology. Together, we can stop this assault on our land, our livelihoods, and our future.

Let’s send a clear message: hands off our farms, and hands off our wallets.