Farmer Speaks Out Against Forced Entry Powers for Net Zero Plan

Farmers are uniting against an impending law that will override landowners’ rights so government workers can install transmission lines for renewable energy projects.

The Allan Labor government’s National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025 was debated in state parliament on July 30 as farmers stood outside in protest.

Gerald Feeny, 62, farms wheat, barley, lentils, bean, hay and sheep in St. Arnaud in central Victoria, explained his views on the proposed law.

“It’s having two effects—it’s creating a lot of anger in the community. And it’s also bringing people together,” he told The Epoch Times.

“We’ve got a great number of people working together–the young men and women in agriculture.

“I’ve been so proud. I’ve seen them step up and take charge, and listen to advice from older guys like me with a bit of experience in agri-politics, and representing farmers.

“Stepping forward and protecting their communities from a foreign-based multinational takeover of farmland.”

Feeny has served as the local representative on the Victoria Farmers Federation and Grains Council.

Under the new legislation, farmers face fines of $12,000 if they refuse to give access to transmission builders.

Authorised workers can also use reasonable force to gain property access, with the backing of police.

Works for the Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector (VNI) West transmission line are part of the government’s effort to achieve net zero by 2045.

VNI West is part of the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) plan to transport energy between states as more renewables come online.

VNI West will run 475 kilometres from New South Wales (NSW) to Victoria, connecting the Energy Connect transmission line that is under construction in NSW to the yet-to-be-constructed Western Renewables Link in Victoria.

Previously estimated to cost $3.9 billion, AEMO increased its cost estimate to $7.6 billion, and possibly as much as $11.4 billion, on July 31.

Farmers Will Defend Their Land

Glenden Watts, 35 and a merino sheep farmer at Charleton in north-western Victoria, said the threat of large wind towers being built on private land was having a detrimental impact on the mental health of his community.

“You’ve got to realise that this is not just their lives and their homes, farms and businesses. It’s everything,” he told The Epoch Times.

“And at what point does it stop? How would you feel if I entered your property, and if you tried to stop me, you’d get fined?

“Mentally, it messes with your head. We’re all humans.”

The Epoch Times contacted Victorian Minister for Climate and Energy Lily D’Ambrosio for comment.

The issue comes as Australians face ongoing increase to power bills with AGL, Origin, and EnergyAustralia upping average bills by $110 to $300 per year, depending on the provider and state.

The average household energy debt now sits at $1,415, up $309 year-on-year.