Across Victoria Alliance - 2026 Policy Priorities
Preamble
The Across Victoria Alliance (AVA) is a grassroots collaboration that convenes and connects 27 Victorian community-based groups, and interstate representatives. These groups were formed in response to growing, localised concerns around mining activity, transmission lines, and large-scale “renewable” energy projects—particularly where transparency, accountability, and genuine community consultation have been absent. At its core, the AVA is a coalition of farmers, landowners, regional communities, metropolitan residents, and business owners — united by a shared commitment to protect the rights, livelihoods, and futures of all Victorians, no matter where they live or work.
Policy Priorities
POLICY ONE – Whole-of-Government impact assessment is complete before any major project approval
That key Victorian government departments (energy/environment/climate, transport/planning, jobs/ skills/industry, treasury/finance, land/water/planning) complete, jointly certify and publicly publish, a Whole- of-Government Impact and Benefits Statement, qualifying the impacts or benefits of proposed projects to all affected areas (e.g. agriculture, water, property value, food security) prior to the provision of State approvals, licences or any associated consent. Existing projects must also be examined via the same process.
POLICY TWO – Prime agricultural land has statutory protection
2(a). That Victoria identifies, prioritises and protects strategically significant agricultural (food and fibre) land from permanent loss due to incompatible development, including mining and energy infrastructure.
2(b). That Victorian policy makers adhere to Article 2(b) of the Paris Agreement which states that climate-based initiatives be enacted “in a manner that does not threaten food production”.
POLICY THREE – Forced farm entry laws are repealed
3(a). That the recently enacted legislation (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform Bill 2025), which allows energy company employees to enter a farm without permission and with reasonable force, and fines any farmer who seeks to protect biosecurity and prevent the employee from trespassing, is repealed.
3(b). That legislation is enacted to ensure all energy infrastructure does not adversely impact neighbours or result in the loss of the neighbour’s landholder rights.
POLICY FOUR – Transparent planning processes, supported by regulation commensurate with risk.
4(a). That Victoria’s planning processes are proper and transparent processes. This includes the reinstatement of appeals to VCAT, and ensuring that the outcomes of Inquiries are published, made available to the public, and their release not left to the sole discretion of a minister.
4(b). That all energy infrastructure is subject to Victoria’s planning processes (planning, review, assessment, inspection and approval) and not fast tracked without proper planning process AND that Local Government (councils) are reinstated as the decision-makers in any developments proposed within their jurisdiction.
4(c). That energy infrastructure, such as wind turbines, is recognised as an industrial development (not rural) and complies with relevant industrial fire safety regulation, and attracts commensurate land tax rates.
4(d). That legislation is in place to ensure all energy infrastructure is built with approved materials (as per Australian Standards) and complies with appropriate construction building codes and OH&S legislation.
POLICY FIVE – Water for communities and food is a priority
5. In response to rural catchments failing to fill, Victoria implements a vision for water which ensures water is prioritised for communities, livestock industries/animal welfare, and food/fibre production.
POLICY SIX – The Fire Services Volunteer Levy is repealed
6. That the FSVL is repealed, is subject to a formal Parliamentary Inquiry to examine funding for the Country Fire Authority (CFA)/Fire Service Victoria (FSV), after which a new transparent funding mechanism is introduced.
Year ahead
From now to the Victorian election on Saturday 28 November, the AVA and its members will advocate – via events, media outreach, government liaison and engagement with political nominees – for commitment to these critical policy issues, while also looking for Federal leadership on these matters.
Further information: Andrew Weidemann AM, AVA Convenor and Chairman. Tel: 0428 504 544.
9 February 2026
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