Abstract
This study presents the first socio-legal analysis of onshore wind energy development and its relationship with agriculture in Victoria's Wimmera Southern Mallee (WSM) region. It identifies key socio-legal factors that can either support or impede the successful implementation of onshore wind projects in broadacre commercial farming contexts. The research examines potential synergies between agriculture and onshore wind examining relevant socio-legal case studies from various jurisdictions. It offers targeted recommendations for reform to create a new framework of engagement between onshore wind and agriculture: The Justice-Driven AgriWind (JAW) Framework. The JAW Framework aims to enhance agricultural landholder and community co-benefits when hosting utility-scale onshore wind projects in the WSM Region.
This study firstly presents a brief overview of key current Victorian policy and regulatory frameworks at the intersection of onshore wind and agriculture and summarises key stages in the onshore wind energy lease lifecycle in Part I. Part II provides an analysis of interview data drawing on 12 expert interviews to develop key risks and themes in the current operation of onshore wind energy development on agricultural land in the WSM region. Part III outlines and applies the JAW Framework to several relevant socio-legal case studies before highlighting 12 targeted recommendations to support more effective and beneficial co-location between wind energy and agriculture.
The findings and analysis of this study are aimed at a wide readership including agricultural landholders and communities; policymakers and regulators; peak and representative farming and renewable energy bodies and other business organisations; regional development agencies; and other researchers and bodies at the intersection of renewable energy and agriculture.
This study firstly presents a brief overview of key current Victorian policy and regulatory frameworks at the intersection of onshore wind and agriculture and summarises key stages in the onshore wind energy lease lifecycle in Part I. Part II provides an analysis of interview data drawing on 12 expert interviews to develop key risks and themes in the current operation of onshore wind energy development on agricultural land in the WSM region. Part III outlines and applies the JAW Framework to several relevant socio-legal case studies before highlighting 12 targeted recommendations to support more effective and beneficial co-location between wind energy and agriculture.
The findings and analysis of this study are aimed at a wide readership including agricultural landholders and communities; policymakers and regulators; peak and representative farming and renewable energy bodies and other business organisations; regional development agencies; and other researchers and bodies at the intersection of renewable energy and agriculture.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Wimmera Southern Mallee Development |
| Commissioning body | Wimmera Southern Mallee Development |
| Number of pages | 90 |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2024 |