Council
16 January, 2026
Councils disappointed with wind farm approval
MOYNE Shire mayor Jordan Lockett has expressed his disappointment with last month’s decision by the Victorian Planning Minister to grant a permit for the proposed Swansons Lane wind farm.
After previously objecting to the applications, the mayors of both Moyne and neighbouring Corangamite shires (Cr Kate Makin) have spoken out against the decision.
Cr Lockett said the lack of engagement meant there was little detail about any community and economic benefits from the wind farm.
“The people and farmers who will be most impacted by these turbines have heard very little about what lasting benefits will come to their local community,” Cr Lockett said.
“What we did hear were objections to this project from the community; over 100 submissions were lodged with the Department of Transport and Planning against the application.
“We maintain that having a wind farm less than five kilometres from the Garvoc township is simply too close, it is not the right location, especially being prime agricultural land.”
Both mayors also cited concerns over the impact on the local road network, and potential for negative outcomes for neighbouring farming operations.
The Victorian Planning Minister announced on December 29 last year that a permit had been granted to the wind farm proponent RE Future.
Corangamite Shire mayor, Cr Kate Makin, claimed the developer had made “virtually no effort” to engage with all affected landowners throughout the application process, “showing little respect for our community.”
“We can’t understand how this project was approved when it sits well outside the state government’s own proposed Renewable Energy Zones, and fails to meet so many of the proposed guidelines in the draft Victorian Transmission Plan,” she said.
The same developer has also lodged an application for the Mumblin Wind Farm (west of Cobden) which is further away from the proposed REZ than Swansons Lane wind farm.
