General News
30 July, 2025
Tractorcade heads to land access rally
A tractorcade of Victorian farmers headed for Parliament House, Wednesday, July 30, for the Land Access Rally, to oppose proposed legislation that would see farmers fined if they lock their gates against the planned high voltage transmission line installation across prime private agricultural land in Victoria.
If the legislation comes into effect, farmers will be fined $12,200 if they do not allow access to their properties by employees of the energy companies.
A further $1200 fine will apply if they erect signs opposing the project, and fines of up to $4000 if an owner refuses to acknowledge they are the owner of the property.
Officers will be able to use reasonable force to gain access to the relevant properties and also be able to issue on-the-spot fines.
Guest speakers and co-organiser Rupanyup farmer Andrew Weidermann addressed the crowd from the steps of parliament, supporting the rights of farmers across the state.
A united front of 250 landowners along the more than 200-kilometre planned VNI-West route has vowed to keep their gates locked against the transmission line project.
