A march attended by over 500 in Kyneton demonstrated strong public support for action on climate change and elevates renewable energy to a top issue in the hotly-contested seat of Macedon.
The “people’s march” is part of a global mobilisation calling on political leaders to take action to address global warming. The Kyneton march coincided with a global gathering of heads of state at the United Nations in New York City. An estimated 30,000 people marched in Melbourne, with a massive 300,000 taking to the streets in Manhattan.
In a rousing speech, Friends of the Earth’s Yes 2 Renewables coordinator Leigh Ewbank urged people to take their concern for climate change to the polls and vote for renewable energy in the imminent Victorian election.
“The Coalition government axed the Victorian Climate Change Act, slashed solar incentives, and banned wind farms in the Macedon Ranges” said Leigh Ewbank.
“A vote for renewable energy on November 29 will encourage whoever is elected to actively support wind farms with majority community support and champion a state target for renewables.”
A campaign by Yes 2 Renewables, the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group and local community members calling on the government to dump its anti-wind farm laws has been gathering momentum.
The pro-renewable energy campaign is calling on candidates to commit to actively support wind farms with majority community support and a renewable energy target for Victoria.
In 2011, the Coalition government introduced a blanket ban on wind farms that killed off the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group’s vision of a community project near Woodend.
A proposal of a similar scale is prohibited near Woodend.
“The current planning laws mean that it’s ok for Daylesford to have a community wind farm, but yet, just 40km away in Woodend, a project of similar scale is prohibited,” said Leigh Ewbank.
According to Friends of the Earth analysis, the proposed community wind farm in Woodend would have created:
- 30 construction jobs
- 6 on going jobs for the 30-year life of the project
- $151,000 worth of flow-on economic benefits to the region
- Up to $45,000 worth of community grant funds
- $24,000 worth of drought-proof income for wind farm hosts
- Enough clean electricity to power all the homes and businesses in Woodend, Macedon, Mt Macedon and Newham.
While Victoria’s renewable energy sector is languishing, it is booming South Australia and the ACT — states that have renewable energy targets.
“Victoria doesn’t have a renewable energy target and is missing out on jobs and investment in future industries,” said Leigh Ewbank.
“A state Renewable Energy Target will get Victoria back on track. It would unleash investment and create jobs while cutting pollution – which is something all political parties can support.”
TAKE ACTION:
- Join us for the Ride 4 Renewables: Macedon Ranges to show your support for wind energy in the district.
- Sign our petition calling on Premier Napthine to encourage renewable energy jobs by scrapping anti-wind farm laws and setting a Victorian Renewable Energy Target.
- Please support our campaign by getting involved or making a donation.
- Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
