LOCAL state and federal MPs have slammed the State Government for changes to Victorians' right to appeal renewable energy projects under Labor’s new fast-track laws.

Under the change, which came into effect on April 1, appeals against a planning minister’s approval can only be made to the Supreme Court on a point of law.

The MPs said the new laws mean that locals who have genuine concerns about these projects will not only have their voices silenced, but their rights to a merits review of the minister’s decision completely taken away.

The changes come amid ongoing concerns from Kiewa Valley residents regarding two proposed battery energy storage systems in Dederang.

Wangaratta-based Nationals MP for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, said he was outraged at the lack of transparency the government's changes will deliver.

“I am outraged that (Premier) Jacinta Allan thinks they continue to erode the rights of residents and local communities in the planning stage,” Mr McCurdy said.

“Once again we have seen Labor decide to consolidate power and reduce transparency.

“And once again, regional Victoria is the one experiencing the brunt of these changes.”

Independent federal MP for Indi Helen Haines has written to the Victorian Government expressing her dismay with its decision to remove the right for third parties to appeal renewable energy planning decisions through VCAT.

“I’m listening to my communities, including people from Dederang and Meadow Creek, who are telling me about their genuine concerns about large-scale renewable energy projects proposed close to where they live,” Dr Haines said.

In her letter to the Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny, Dr Haines expressed concern that under the current system, there are not enough safeguards to ensure communities are heard and their issues acted upon by developers.

“The State Government is not listening to these concerns, and project developers are not consistently offering real benefits to regional communities expected to host these projects," she said.

"The removal of the right to appeal to VCAT will exacerbate this situation.”

"Fast-tracking projects and silencing communities is terrible governance.”

Dr Haines and Independent Senator for the ACT David Pocock worked with the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen in 2023 to establish an independent review into community engagement and benefit sharing for renewable energy developments.

“The Community Engagement Review final report was clear - the state and federal governments must improve community engagement and consultation,” Dr Haines said.

“The decision to remove the right to appeal to VCAT is contrary to the recommendations of the review’s final report.

"In my letter to the state ministers, I asked how the Victorian Government will act to implement the recommendations of the review to ensure community engagement and community benefit are delivered for the communities in Indi impacted by renewable energy projects.

“The Federal Government needs to put money behind the recommendations in the review and work with the states to legislate best practice community engagement for the energy transition.

“I support the transition to renewables but regional people should be given opportunities to benefit from the renewable energy transition, this must be done with us, not to us."

Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said Labor’s aggressive agenda of renewables at any cost is blatantly ignoring the rights and needs of regional communities.

“It’s a case of Labor big-government operating without social licence and squeezing out local voices on these big projects at every turn," Senator McKenzie said.

“Residents in the North East are not necessarily opposed to renewables, but have genuine safety and environmental concerns about these rushed projects, which is based on their extensive history living and working the land."