Dairy Industry Raises Concerns over newly unveiled REZs

Australian Dairy Farmers has renewed calls for stronger protections for productive farmland following the Victorian Government’s confirmation of Renewable Energy Zone locations.

The industry says it supports the transition to lower-emissions energy, but argues the rollout must not come at the expense of food production and long-term agricultural capacity.

ADF President Ben Bennett says the newly declared Renewable Energy Zones overlap with highly productive farming regions, including key dairy areas that contribute significantly to national milk production.

The zones are reported to cover around one-point-eight million hectares, or almost eight per cent of Victoria’s land area.

Mr Bennett says dairy farming relies on a unique combination of climate, soils, rainfall and water availability, making many production regions difficult to replace if farming systems are disrupted.

The industry has also raised concerns about the cumulative impacts of transmission lines, substations and access roads on farm operations, warning that energy security and food security must be pursued together.